Rod Laver led the tributes to his fellow Australian icon and ‘true gem’ Neale Fraser on Tuesday following his death at the age of 91.
Fraser won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon in 1960, when he beat his countryman Laver in a memorable final.
The former world No1 also won the US National Championships – now the US Open – in 1959 and 1960 and claimed 11 men’s doubles and five mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.
Fraser is notably the last male player to have achieved the ‘triple crown’ of winning the singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles titles at the same Slam – doing so in the US in 1959 and 1960.
He also famously won the Davis Cup with Australia four times as a player and four times as their team captain.
Laver, the 11-time Grand Slam singles champion, wrote on X: ‘I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear mate and fellow lefty, Neale Fraser.
Fraser Neale was a giant of Australian tennis who won 19 Grand Slams and led the Aussie team to four consecutive Davis Cup titles
Neale receives the Wimbledon trophy from Prince Philp when he was Duke of Edinburgh
Rod Laver paid tribute to the Aussie tennis star on X, claiming Fraser was a ‘true gem in a golden era of Australian tennis’
‘He was a true gem in a golden era of Australian tennis legends – an incredible world No1, a Grand Slam champion, and a Davis Cup icon.
‘Neale bested me in two major finals, pushing me to become a better player. My heartfelt condolences go out to Thea and Neale’s extended family. I’ll miss you dearly, buddy.’
Pat Cash, another Australian winner of Wimbledon, reflected: ‘He was like a father to me. He just knew how to make you feel important and play your best.’
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley added: ‘Neale Fraser was a true icon of our sport. His passion for tennis and dedication to representing Australia inspired generations of players and fans.’
Tennis fans have also been paying their respects for the Aussie tennis icon.
‘A true legend of Australian tennis, who will be missed by so many around the world,’ one supporter group posted.
‘If there’s one person who embodied Davis Cup, it was Frase. Condolences to his beautiful wife Thea, and to his extended family. The tennis world thanks you deeply, and will miss you Frase,’ a supporter added.
‘I am so, so incredibly sad to hear the great Neale Fraser has passed away. Praise as we all called him because he loved strawberries (French for strawberries). Thoughts are with Thea and his family. RIP friend,’ posted another.
Neale Fraser and his wife Thea attend the Annual Legends lunch at the 2018 Australian Open
Fraser would inspire generations of young tennis players to take up the sport and to value the Davis Cup
Fraser began playing tennis at age 11 in Melbourne and attended St Kevin’s College, where he captained the tennis team.
A left-handed player known for his powerful serve and athleticism, Fraser achieved significant success in both singles and doubles competitions.
He won the US National Championships singles titles in 1959 and 1960, and the Wimbledon singles title in 1960.
In doubles, Fraser secured multiple Grand Slam titles: the Australian Championships in 1957, 1958, and 1962; the French Championships in 1958, 1960, and 1962; Wimbledon in 1959 and 1961; and the U.S. National Championships in 1957, 1959, and 1960.
Neale also excelled in mixed doubles, winning titles at the Australian Championships in 1956, Wimbledon in 1962, and the U.S. National Championships in 1958, 1959, and 1960.
Notably, Fraser is the last male player to achieve the ‘triple crown’ – winning the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles at a single Grand Slam event – accomplishing this feat consecutively at the US National Championships in 1959 and 1960.
Representing Australia in the Davis Cup from 1958 to 1963, he contributed to victories in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962.
After retiring from professional play, Fraser served as Australia’s Davis Cup captain from 1970 to 1994, leading the team to titles in 1973, 1977, 1983, and 1986.
Fraser leaves a legacy that is unlikely to ever be repeated by another Australian in the Open era
His contributions to tennis were recognised with his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994.
In 2008, Fraser received the International Tennis Federation’s Philippe Chatrier Award for outstanding achievement in tennis.
He also served as President of the Australian Davis Cup Tennis Foundation from 1997 until 2019, continuing his involvement in the sport.
Fraser’s career was marked by his dedication to tennis both on and off the court, leaving a lasting impact on Australian tennis.
