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Human Catapult: Gerald Patterson Gerald Leighton Patterson was a hero of the Australian Army gaining the Military Cross for his services in World War I. He wasn't a bad tennis player too, becoming Australia's second international tennis star - following Norman Brookes - by winning two Wimbledon singles titles with his daring game.
The muscular 6-footer, wowed spectators with his explosive serve - earning the nickname the "Human Catapult" - charging into the net, finishing off opponents with his stiff volleying or superb smash and good forehand. In 1919 Paterson took the Wimbledon title from Brookes, who had to wait through the War to defend his title. Paterson lost the following year to the great Bill Tilden, but with "Big Bill" failing to make 1922 defense, Patterson christened the new Centre Court, defeating Randolph Lycett easily in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory. Patterson lead the Australasian challenge in 1922, winning the only rubber, with doubles partner Pat O'Hara Wood, Defeating Tilden and Vinnie Richards in the Forest Hills Challenge Round against America. They were there again in 1924, representing Australia, but lost heavily to "Big (Tilden) and Little Bill" Johnston. He performed well at the U.S. Championships, but never made the final, losing to Tilden in the 1922 semi-final 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 and Johnston in 1924 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. In the doubles the U.S. challenge, pairing with Brookes to beat Tilden and Richards in five sets. In the Australian tournament it was all or nothing as he beat one-time doubles partner Jack Hawkes in 1927, blasting down 29 aces and 29 double faults.
For a time during the mid-1920s he used a metal racket, considerably ahead of its time, strung with wire strings. He won five Australian doubles titles, three of which came with Hawke, between 1914 and 1927. He was in the worlds Top Ten six times between 1919 and 1925, rising to the summit as No. 1 in 1919. He was born in Melbourne on the 17th December 1895, dying there on the 11th June 1967. Grand Slam Record Australian Singles winner 1927; Singles finalist 1914, 1922, 1925; Doubles winner 1914, 1922, 1925-27; Doubles finalist 1924, 1932 Wimbledon Singles winner 1919, 1922; Singles finalist 1920; Doubles finalist 1922, 1926; Mixed winner 1920 Tournament Record (inc. Davis Cup and Olympics) Australian Davis Cup team member 1919-20,
1922, 1924-25, 1928; losing team 1922, 1924 |
