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Lucky Ted: Frederick Schroeder Business always stood in Frederick Rudolph "Ted" Schroeder's way as a part-time player smoking his corn-cob pipe. He refused Jack Kramer's money to turn professional several times, renowned for his big match temperament and daring attacking play. Playing for Stanford, Schroeder became the second player ever to win the Inter-collegiate and U.S. Championship singles crown in the same year, emulating Don McNeil two years earlier in 1940. He became known as a volleying wizard in his pairing with Kramer during Davis Cup battles after World War II, snatching the Cup from the Australians who had kept it safely during the conflicts. The pair were expert doubles players winning the U.S. title three times in 1940-41 and 1947 and in the nerve-wracking Davis Cup battles this helped the America's cause as both were called up to represent the United States against Australian in the 1946 Challenge Round, ahead of experienced players such as Gar Mulloy and Frank Parker. Captain Walter Pate elected for the young pairing and the gamble paid off. Schroeder started proceedings by beating John Bromwich 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 0-6, 6-3, completing a 5-0 scoreline come Sunday afternoon. Three more successive Cup's followed in 1947-49.
Wimbledon was secured on his one and only appearance when Schroeder was at his peak in 1949, he captured the English crowd with his personality and was nicknamed "Lucky Ted" because of his four five set victories along the way to the crown. In the first round he battled against Mulloy winning 3-6, 9-11, 6-1, 6-0, 7-5 and ended beating Jaroslav Drobny in the final 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. The last three went the distance and only Henri Cochet can feel how Schroeder must have felt lifting the trophy as he completed a similar feat in 1927. His quarter-final looked truly lost as Frank Sedgman had two match points, but the New Jersey right-hander wriggled free to win 3-6, 6-8, 6-3, 6-2, 9-7. In the semi-final he found himself down again but beat Eric Sturgess 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Two months later he looked all set to become a two-time U.S. Champion, but faded in the 1949 final against Pancho Gonzalez 16-18, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. For six years he was in the worlds top ten (1946-51) and at number two from 1946 for four years. He served in the U.S. Naval Air Force during World War II. Grand Slam Record Wimbledon Singles winner 1949; Doubles finalist 1949 U.S. Championships Singles winner 1942; Singles finalist 1949; Doubles winner 1940-41, 1947; Doubles finalist 1942, 1948; Mixed winner 1942 Tournament Record (inc. Davis Cup) United States Davis Cup team member 1946-51;
winning side 1946-49; losing side 1950-51
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