In 1950 the US tennis star Budge Patty, who has died aged 97, gained the men’s singles titles at both the French Open championship and at Wimbledon – a double win that is still a rare achievement for any American player. He ended that year ranked No 1 in the world and proved himself the best, most elegant forehand volleyer of his era. All this while the Czech exile Jaroslav Drobný and the great Australian Frank Sedgman were the dominant players of the day and at their peak.
It was Patty’s fate to be involved in many gruelling contests, including what was then the longest singles match in Wimbledon history, against Drobný in 1953. The year before, Drobný, that year’s French champion, had become Patty’s doubles partner, and they had reached the Wimbledon semi-finals. Yet their partnership was put under strain by the struggles they experienced when playing in singles against each other. They were so well matched that their contests were punitive. One match in Lyon was halted by officials after Patty and Drobný had played 100 games without finishing the third set.
Continue reading...
Comments