Former Australian tennis ace Roy Stanley Emerson
The former Australian tennis player, Roy Stanley Emerson was born on November 3, 1936 in the city of Queensland, Australia. The right-handed tennis ace grabbed a total of twelve major singles trophies as well as sixteen doubles major titles all through his professional career. Roy’s total of twenty eight Grand Slam victories speaks volumes of the class of this great Australian player.
The Australian player acquired his initial education from the Brisbane Grammar School and later on from the Ipswich Grammar School. He took up tennis at a young age and soon turned into a professional player. The young Emerson captured his very first doubles grass court Grand Slam title back in 1959 along with his partner Neale Fraser. Two years later, Roy won his first singles major trophy at the Australian Open tournament after knocking down his countrymen Rod Laver in a total of four sets. Later on, during the same season, Roy grabbed another major title at the Flushing Meadows by once again dismissing Rod Laver in the final clash.
The Australian tennis ace from a period of 1963 to 1967, grabbed a total of five singles trophies at the Australian Open in a row. Moreover, during the 1963 season, Roy also captured his French Open title at Roland Garros after knocking down Pierre Darmon in the final.
As far as his grass court Grand Slam titles are concerned, Roy Emerson won his very first Wimbledon title back in 1964 after getting the better of Fred Stolle. During that season, he succeeded in a total of fifty five matches in a row and ended the year with a total of one hundred and nine victories out of one hundred and fifteen contests played by him. Moreover, Roy also succeeded in winning a total of three major events out of the total four in that season. The French Open was the only Grand Slam where the Australian tennis ace couldn’t succeed in 1964.
In the following year, Roy successfully managed to defend his Australian Open title as well as the grass court Grand Slam titles. In 1966, he was the top seeded player in the tournament once again. However, he got injured during Round 4 and could not continue his participation in the tournament.
Roy's final major singles trophy came at the clay court French Open in 1967. He won his last doubles major crown four years later in 1971 Wimbledon along with his partner Laver.
Emerson practically retired after that tournament, contesting in just a few championships in 1977. His final appearance came at the Gstaad Championship which was held in Switzerland in 1983.
The retired Australian tennis player now lives in the city of California and also has a house in Gstaad where he arranges a tennis clinic every season.
Roy was without any doubt the number one in the 1964 season. Nicknamed as "Emmo" on the tour, the six-foot tall Roy was famous for his long practicing sessions and his readiness for the big challenges at important championships. The man was equally known for his impressive fitness levels all throughout his professional tennis life.
He was basically a volley and serve player who was also capable enough to adapt to the difficulties of slow surfaces that resulted in an equal amount of victories for the player. This was the main reason why the legendary tennis ace, Roy Stanley Emerson, was included into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1982.
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