Tennis News: Owen Davidson inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame
In appreciation to his contribution to the game, the legendary Aussie tennis star Owen Davidson is inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Rod Laver Arena on the occasion of the Australian
Day celebrations.
Booking a place already at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, during the last year, Davidson’s name has been included in the 2011 class of inductees to the Hall of Fame.
Davidson is known to be one of the only three members of the class who have accomplished the feat of completing mixed doubles Grand Slam in one calendar year. Only Ken Fletcher and Margaret Court are the other two to enjoy the
same privilege.
Born on 4th of October 1943 in Melbourne, Davidson was a pro in 1960’s and 1970’s. His fifteen year professional career is spot lighted by 12 Grand Slam titles.
Davidson’s memorable achievements in mixed doubles are still remembered by many. He won the Australian Championships, French Championships, Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships, all in the same calendar year, 1967.
His run in the singles category is not as illustrious as his mixed doubles career is, but the calibre and class of the man cannot be underestimated. Davidson’s best singles offshoot was at Wimbledon, in 1966, when he ended up being
a semi-finalist. He lost the five sets match after a rousing contest with Manolo Santana (who eventually won the championship later).
His focus shifted later to the mixed doubles, which uplifted his career and earned him a place among the legendary tennis players in the history of Australian tennis.
Lesley Turner Bowrey, the fellow Aussie, was the first partner Davidson allied with in 1967 and went on to win The Australian Open (known as The Australian Championships at that time). Later, he teamed up with the legendary American,
Billie Jean King, to win the other three Grand Slams for the year.
Sharing his memories with the audience present at the ceremony at Rod Laver Arena, Davidson shared the credit of his success with his very first tennis partner, Lesley.
“Lesley Bowery who I don't think gets enough credit, is one of the great Australian players,” he said.
Davo, as he is known among his friends, also praised his long term ally, Billy Jean.
“None of this would have happened without meeting and playing with the wonderful Billie Jean King,” he told, “We didn't make big long commitment but we did play for seven years and only lost a couple of matches.”
Davidson’s alliance with John Newcombe allowed both men to grab the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open in 1972, followed by the US Open victory in the same category, partnering with Ken Rosewall.
Davidson won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon and the US Open on four different occasions each. His four times emphatic wins at Wimbledon made him the male player who won the most number of mixed doubles crowns playing at the All
England Club.
As an essential ingredient of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a bronze statue of Davo was revealed to the crowd present at the Rod Laver Arena. This bronze bust of Davidson will take its rightful place beside other legendary
statues in the Master Player category the Australian Hall of Fame, at Garden Square at Melbourne Park.
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