Player Biographies

They are the greatest exponents of their sport, athlete's that inspired generations to play and strove to be the best: the number one. They all succeeded of course and left their mark on the game, through personal gain, but also their commitment to their country and the Davis Cup. Dwight Davis would have been proud.

Pete Sampras: Legend

All had run-in's with their countries associations, all played the way they wanted to, dreaming of one day lifting the greatest prizes the tennis tour could offer. For some the game was amateur, so their travelling was on the basis of the generosity of their representation. While others turned professional, long before the game was declared 'open' in 1968, some pondered their move into a world of lucrative contracts, promotions and global tours.

Harry Hopman´s second wife Lucy, proudly stands beside an artists impression of the great Australian team captain

To turn professional, in the strictly amateur days, was to turn your nose up to the Grand Slam venues, public adulation on a wide scale and the thrill of a Davis Cup battle. When the game was declared open for the Wimbledon of 1969, floods of familiar faces returned to the tour, but Davis Cup wouldn't welcome them back until 1973, when inevitably the International Tennis Association bowed to professionalism.

The fifteen legendary players, one collective group and manager, that I have created biographies for inspired, bewildered and entertained worldwide audiences in awe of their sublime talents, by way of winning Grand Slam titles and their commitment to Davis Cup tennis.

You may recognise some, you may recognise them all, I hope through reading their career histories you'll recognise what an important part they have played towards the legend of Davis Cup in its present state as one of sports premier competitions. For each player, I have added links to the era of tennis with which they played, providing easier navigation. Enjoy!

The Entertainers:

Sir Norman Brookes (Era 1905-1922); Bill Tilden (1920s); Rene Lacoste (1923-1933); The Four Musketeers (1922-1933) Fred Perry (1930s); Don Budge (1935-1938); Pancho Gonzales (1949-1974); Harry Hopman (manager 1950-1969); Lew Hoad (1951-1957); Rod Laver (1958-1973); Roy Emerson (1959-1967); Arthur Ashe (1965-1982); Bjorn Borg (1972-1984); John McEnroe (1977-1992); Ivan Lendl (1978-1994); Mats Wilander (1983-1994) Pete Sampras (1988-present)

Around 'Dwight's Little Pot' you will find 50 (11 female) other biographies on players from all era's of the 20th century, although they are not listed here, they too played a heavy part in their nations hopes of glory and adulation.