One of the greats of Australian tennis hailed for his grand slam wins and his captaincy of his country’s Davis Cup team
Although the Australian tennis player Neale Fraser, who has died aged 91, won three grand slam singles titles including Wimbledon in 1960, it is as one of the most successful Davis Cup captains that he will be remembered. The tournament gave Fraser the chance to represent his country, both as player and captain, and he wore the badge with great pride.
In 1970, when Fraser was appointed Davis Cup captain, the role was seen as one of the most daunting in Australian sport. How could he live up to the exploits and reputation of his predecessor, Harry Hopman? Under Hopman’s leadership, Australia had produced a line of champions that people have never seen before or since.