In 1951, Dick Savitt achieved a rare athletic milestone by winning both the Australian and Wimbledon men's singles championships at the age of 24. This performance established his position as a dominant force in international tennis, marking him as one of the few American men to secure both titles in a single calendar year.
Early Development
Born in 1927 in Bayonne, New Jersey, Savitt spent his formative years without formal tennis instruction. He taught himself the sport at age 14, eventually competing in the New Jersey Boys Championship. In 1944, his family relocated to Texas, where he attended El Paso High School. Outside of tennis, Savitt excelled in basketball, serving as an All-State forward and co-captain of his school team. During his military service in 1945, he was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Memphis, Tennessee.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Collegiate Athletics
Savitt enrolled at Cornell University in 1946, where he studied economics and joined the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. His college sports career was defined by his role as captain and number one singles and doubles player for the tennis team. His basketball career ended due to knee injuries. By the time he graduated in June 1950, he had compiled a 57–2 singles record and held multiple titles, including the Eastern Intercollegiate Tournament.
Professional Success and Controversy
Following his 1951 major victories, Savitt was ranked world number two. Despite his success, he faced professional friction, most notably a public snub by U.S. Davis Cup captain Frank Shields in 1951. Shields' decision to exclude Savitt from the Davis Cup roster generated widespread criticism, as the U.S. team subsequently lost to Australia. In early 1952, internal USLTA debates over rankings further highlighted the discord between Savitt and the tennis establishment.
Career Legacy
Savitt remained active in tennis throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s, winning the USLTA National Indoor Championships three times and the Canadian singles and doubles championships in 1952. In 1961, he earned gold medals in singles and doubles at the Maccabiah Games in Israel. His contributions to the sport were recognized with his 1976 induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He died in Manhattan in 2023 at the age of 96.
Fast facts
- Born: 1927, Bayonne
- Died: 2023, Manhattan
- Education: Cornell University, El Paso High School
- 1951 Major Titles: Australian Open, Wimbledon
- Hall of Fame Induction: 1976
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
Did Dick Savitt ever receive formal tennis coaching?
No, he taught himself the sport at age 14 and never took a tennis lesson throughout his career.
Why was the 1951 Davis Cup selection controversial?
Captain Frank Shields excluded Savitt from the team despite his recent victory over Australia's top player, leading to accusations of prejudice and public outcry after the U.S. team lost the event.
Achievements
- International Tennis Hall of Fame — 1976
- Educated at Cornell University and El Paso High School
- Worked as tennis player
.jpg)
