Frank Sedgman
Allan Frank Sedgman ( born October 29, 1927 in Mount Albert, Victoria ) is an Australian former tennis player.
From 1949 to 1952 he won 22 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, three titles less than John Newcombe and 6 tracks less than Roy Emerson, but won their title over a longer period of time. He was also the driving force in the first three years of Australian dominance in the Davis Cup when Australia 1950-1967 15 times won the cup in 18 years.
In 1951 he won with Ken McGregor the Grand Slam in men's doubles.
Sedgman was an extremely fast, narrow right-handed and is known for his fitness. He was one of the Australian players who use the " Continental Grip", a handle, in which the club is held in the same manner at pre-and backhand. His volley game and its speed were feared by his enemies. Its elegant style in the footwork and the beating was for a long time a model for many other players. Although he is almost forgotten today, you can expect him to be the twenty best players of all time.
Before the joint events by amateurs and professionals, he moved in 1953 to the pros and became the first player who earned more than $ 100,000 in prize money in a year. In his first year as a professional he was beaten by Jack Kramer in 95 games 54 to 41.
Sedgman won three major tournaments in the Professional World Singles Tournament and played until well into the 1960s. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Grand Slam victories
Australian Championship
- Single - 1949-50
- Double - 1951-52
- Mixed - 1949-50 Single Finalist - 1952
- Double Finalist - 1947-48
Wimbledon
- Single - 1952
- Double - 1948, 51-52
- Mixed - 1951-52
American Championships
- Single - 1951-52
- Double - 1950-51
- Mixed - 1951-52 Double Finalist - 1949, 1952
- Mixed Finalist - 1950
French Championships
- Single - 1951-52
- Double - 1951-52
- Mixed - 1951-1952 Single Finalist - 1952
- Double Finalist - 1948
- Mixed Finalist - 1948
Professional World Singles Tournament Victories
- United States Professional Championship Finalist - 1956, 1961
- French Professional Championship Single - 1953 Finalist - 1959