Little Bill: William Johnston

As one of the American twins of terror, who turned the finest Australasian, French and Japanese aside in the Davis Cup Challenge Round from 1920-26, "Little Bill" Johnston standing at 5-foot-8 ½ often got confused with "Big Bill" 6-foot-2 inch Bill Tilden.

They were teammates, but also rivals. Some say it was Johnston's bad luck to play with a player many regard as the greatest ever, as the Californian lost to Tilden in five U.S. Championship finals, only winning twice in 1915 (against Maurice McLoughlin) and 1919.

Little Bill Johnston combined with Big Bill Tilden for the U.S.

A new dawn heralded the arrival of the Four Musketeers in 1926, making the two Bills work for the Davis Cup even more. Until that time the pair had won each Challenge Round for the loss of only a few sets. In seven finals Johnston won 11 of 14 singles, he lost only once until 1927, when his age and health began to tell.

A right-hander, Johnston was born in San Francisco, developing much of his skills on the public courts, which involved aggression and a passion to win on the merit of his own strokes. He didn't have a big serve, but his smash was highly effective. Many times he came of court dripping with sweat weighing five to eight pounds less than his usual weight of 125lbs.

He used a Western grip to hammer his topspin forehand drive, taking the ball high above his shoulder and jumping off the ground on his follow-through, executing one of the most effective shots in tennis history.

Due to the nature of his height, he planted himself on the service line, volleying with the same side of the racket for forehand and backhand. But he is still considered to this day one of the great volleyers as a result.

Following the 1927 season, Johnston retired from the game, citing bad health every since he had fought in the Navy in World War I. He died on the 1st May 1946, aged 51.

Grand Slam Record

Wimbledon Singles 1923

U.S. Championships Singles 1915, 1919; Singles finalist 1916, 1920, 1922-25; Doubles 1915-16, 1920; Doubles finalist 1927; Mixed 1921

Tournament Record (inc. Davis Cup)

United States Davis Cup team member 1920-27; winning side 1920-26; losing side 1927

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