MADRID, 6 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Australian ex -diet Fred Stolle, Roland Garros champion in 1965 and US Open in 1966 and finalist in six ‘Grand Slam’, died at the age of 86, according to the Australian Tennis Federation (Tennis Australia) this Thursday.
“A Grand Slam champion on the court, a voice in the cabin and forever a legend in our hearts,” the federation wrote on their social networks, to say goodbye to “one of his great players and characters”, who until now was also a commentator at Nine Network, CBS and Fox Sports.
Stolle won Roland Garros in 1965, and a year later he also conquered the US Open. In addition, he lost in six ‘Grand Slam’ finals, three of them in Wimbledon, and five of them before his compatriot Roy Emerson. He also won 17 ‘big’ in doubles, next to Bob Hewitt, Emerson and Ken Rosewall, and won each of the four great crowns at least twice.
After retiring, he trained former world number, Vitas Geulaitis, before devoting himself to being a commentator in Australia and the United States. His son Sandon was also a professional player, and won the men’s double doubles in 1998.
The executive director of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley, recalled that Fred Stolle, nicknamed ‘Fiery’, belongs to “the golden age of Australia and the progression of the professionalism fans.” “His legacy is excellence, dedication and a deep love for tennis. Its impact on sport will be remembered and appreciated by all those who had the privilege of witnessing their contributions,” he concluded.