Malcolm Whitman

Part of the Harvard Three who led the original Davis Cup team in 1900 to glory defeating a British Isles side 3-0. Malcolm Whitman beat Arthur Gore 6-1, 6-3, 6-2, while classmate and donor of the Cup Dwight Davis clinched his singles teaming up with Holcombe Ward in the doubles at Longwood Cricket Club, Boston.

Whitman's father wanted him to concentrate on his law course and put away his racket after two quarterfinal losses in the U.S. Championships of 1896 and 1897. Whitman persevered though and came through to win three straight Championships the following year and in 1899-1900. He beat Bill Larned for his third crown 6-4, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2.

He didn't defend his title in 1901, but returned: "to represent my country" in 1902, in the all-comers final, only to be beaten by a British invader Reggie Doherty 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.

The New Yorker had a weird bouncing reverse twist serve - never seen these days - and was a sharp volleyer, ranking in the U.S. Top Ten for six years, being crowned at number one in 1898-1900 and number two in 1902. In the 1902 Davis Cup Challenge Round against the British Isles he beat Joshua Pim 6-1, 6-1, 1-6, 6-0 and gained revenge over Reggie Doherty beating him 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 to help the Americans keep the Cup 3-2.

Standing at 6-foot-2-inches the right-hander decided to retire aged 25, posting an unbeaten Cup record and a 19-3 U.S. Championship match record at Newport. Whitman was deeply interested in the game's history and wrote: Tennis Origins and Mysteries, published in 1931. Barely 18 months later he committed suicide in New York, on 28th December 1932.

Grand Slam Record

U.S. Championship Singles winner 1898-00

Tournament Record (inc. Davis Cup and Olympics)

U.S. Intercollegiate Singles winner 1896; Doubles winner 1897-98

United States Davis Cup team member 1900, 1902

Contributions to the Game

Author of Tennis Origins and Mysteries

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