Neale Fraser, one of the most influential figures in Australian tennis, was honoured at this year’s Wimbledon with an evening of celebrations to mark the anniversary his1960 victory at SW19.
Tennis Australia’s Chief Executive Steve Wood hosted the stellar party at the organisation’s temporary headquarters in London, where Fraser’s family from Melbourne, past Australian players like current Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald and officials from the All England Club mingled to mark the playing highlight of Fraser’s illustrious career.
“It was very humbling really and I was honoured to see so many friends and not only Australians but quite a few English people too, members of the management committee and the Chairman of the Club as well,” said Fraser.
“They honoured me by their presence and I was touched by it. It was great to see so many Aussie tennis players as well. It was a beautiful evening. It’s something that I’ll remember for a long time to come.”
Fraser, from Melbourne, won a total of 19 grand slam titles, including the singles trophies at the 1959 and 1960 US Championships as well as Wimbledon. He was ranked No.1 in the world 1959 – 1960 and was ranked inside the top 10 every year between 1956 and 1962.
Fraser also won 11 major doubles titles (with Roy Emerson, Ashley Cooper and Lew Hoad) and five mixed doubles titles. He is one of only eight men to win all four grand slams in doubles but it was Davis Cup which turned out to be the love of his professional life, with 21 playing appearances in six years between 1958 and 1963 and a record 23 years spent as non-playing captain.
For all that, his victory over Rod Laver in the 1960 Wimbledon final – achieved only after saving five match-points against Butch Buchholz in the quarterfinals – remains the single most important moment of his career.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s 50 years ago,” said Fraser. “It doesn’t seem that long ago. Just to be able to say that you’re a Wimbledon champion has given me enormous pleasure.” Fitzgerald can attest to that. “He always had a barbecue at his house during the Australian Open and players like me, Wally Masur and Pat Cash used to come and we’d always tease him about showing us the video of him beating the Rocket at Wimbledon,” remembered Fitzgerald. “He never took too much persuading!”
