Ellsworth Vines

Ellsworth Vines was an American tennis player who was born on September 28, 1911, in Pasadena, California, and died on March 17, 1994, in La Quinta, California. Vines is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time and was a dominant force in the sport during the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Vines turned professional in 1934, after winning a total of 7 Grand Slam titles as an amateur, including two Wimbledon singles titles, two U.S. Open singles titles, and a mixed doubles title at the French Open. He was known for his powerful serve and aggressive style of play, which made him nearly unbeatable at his peak.

In 1934, Vines won a series of matches against the reigning world No. 1 player, Fred Perry, and established himself as the top player in the world. He went on to win a total of 10 professional singles titles that year, including the U.S. Pro Championship and the Wembley Championship.

Vines’ career was cut short by World War II, and he retired from professional tennis in 1940. After the war, he briefly attempted a comeback but was not able to regain his previous form.

In addition to his success on the court, Vines was known for his colorful personality and his love of golf, which he played professionally after retiring from tennis. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1962.