logo
Australian 19-time Grand Slam winner Fred Stolle dies at 86

Australian 19-time Grand Slam winner Fred Stolle dies at 86

Khaleej Times06-03-2025
Australian 19-time Grand Slam winner and legendary tennis commentator Fred Stolle has died aged 86, officials said Thursday, hailing his "excellence, dedication and a profound love for tennis".
Stolle won the French Open in 1965 and US Open a year later, and was a three-time Wimbledon finalist.
But his greatest success came on the doubles court where he claimed 17 Slam crowns, winning all four men's majors at least twice.
Stolle went on to become an esteemed broadcaster known as "the voice of tennis" to generations of fans through Australia's Nine Network and American networks Fox Sports and ESPN.
Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley described Stolle as an iconic figure both in Australia and on the international stage.
"When we speak about Australia's golden era and the progression from amateur to professionalism, Stolle's name is right up there with the best," he said.
"A star member of Australia's Davis Cup team, Fred made significant contributions to the sport following his decorated career, as a coach and astute commentator.
"His legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis. His impact on the sport will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions."
Stolle was part of three triumphant Australian Davis Cup teams (1964-66) and the long-time coach of Vitas Gerulaitis — the American who triumphed at the 1977 Australian Open.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Gauff fights back to advance in Canada, Medvedev crashes out
Gauff fights back to advance in Canada, Medvedev crashes out

Dubai Eye

time11 hours ago

  • Dubai Eye

Gauff fights back to advance in Canada, Medvedev crashes out

Top seed Coco Gauff staged a thrilling comeback to reach the last 16 of the Canadian Open on Thursday, while former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev was knocked out of the men's tournament by Australian Alexei Popyrin. World number two Gauff clawed her way back from a set down to defeat Russian Veronika Kudermetova 4–6 7–5 6–2 in a match that stretched over two and a half hours. "It was a tough match today," the French Open champion said. "I thought I did well mentally, especially on the return. I was playing an opponent who served really well. Obviously, I would have liked to serve better, but I'm just happy to get through." Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska stunned American eighth seed Emma Navarro 7–5 6–4 while Russian fourth seed Mirra Andreeva also exited the tournament, losing 7–6(5) 6–4 to American McCartney Kessler. Ninth seed Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan saw off Romanian Jaqueline Cristian 6–0 7–6(5). On the men's side, Alex Michelsen toppled third seed Lorenzo Musetti 3–6 7–6(4) 6–4 in a gripping third-round contest. The American 26th seed shrugged off a sluggish start to unleash a barrage of big hitting and keep the Italian on the ropes. The shocks kept coming as 10th seed Medvedev was stunned by 18th seed Popyrin 5–7 6–4 6–4, while German top seed Alexander Zverev had to come from a set down to defeat Italian Matteo Arnaldi 6-7(5) 6–3 6–2 to claim his 500th tour-level match win. Eighth seed Casper Ruud from Norway beat Portugal's Nuno Borges 7–5 6–4, fifth seed Holger Rune cruised past Alexandre Muller 6–2 6–4, and Francisco Cerundolo defeated his Argentine compatriot Tomas Etcheverry 6–3 6–4.

Authorities abandon recovery of German Olympian killed in Pakistan
Authorities abandon recovery of German Olympian killed in Pakistan

Gulf Today

time16 hours ago

  • Gulf Today

Authorities abandon recovery of German Olympian killed in Pakistan

Authorities have abandoned efforts to recover the body of German Olympic biathlete Laura Dahlmeier, who died in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan this week. Dahlmeier was confirmed dead on Wednesday, having been hit by falling rocks while climbing at an altitude of 5,700 metres (18,700 feet) on Laila Peak in the Karakoram range. Attempts to recover her body were abandoned due to "dangerous" conditions at the site, Dahlmeier's management agency said on Thursday. In consultation with the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the agency said her relatives would "continue to monitor the situation... and are keeping the option of arranging a rescue at a later date." Marina Eva (2R), mountaineering partner of German Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, looks on during a press conference in Skardu. AFP Several of Dahlmeier's colleages confirmed the two-time Olympic gold medallist had said she did not want her body recovered if it put any would-be rescuers at risk. German mountaineer Thomas Huber was part of a team who had attempted a rescue but told reporters on Thursday: "We have decided she should stay, because that was her wish." Another member of the rescue team, American Jackson Marvell told AFP it would be "disrespectful" to recover her body contrary to her wishes. Marvell said "the recovery of Laura's body will be possible, but it involves incredible risks, both on foot and by helicopter." Laura Dahlmeier celebrates during the medals ceremony at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. File / AP Dahlmeier's climbing partner Marina Krauss, who was with her at the time of the incident, said at a press conference on Thursday the former Olympian did not move after being caught in a rockfall. "I saw Laura being hit by a huge rock and then being thrown against the wall. And from that moment on, she didn't move again," Krauss told reporters. Krauss said she was unable to reach Dahlmeier and called for outside support. "It was impossible for me to get there safely. "It was clear to me the only way to help her was to call a helicopter. She didn't move, she didn't show any signs (of movement). I called out to her, but there was no response." "She only had a chance if help arrived immediately," she said. Dahlmeier won seven world championship gold medals, and at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang she became the first woman biathlete to win both the sprint and the pursuit at the same Games. Dahlmeier retired from professional competition in 2019 at the age of 25. Agence France-Presse

Swiatek cruises, Osaka battles; Bouchard bids adieu to tennis
Swiatek cruises, Osaka battles; Bouchard bids adieu to tennis

Gulf Today

timea day ago

  • Gulf Today

Swiatek cruises, Osaka battles; Bouchard bids adieu to tennis

Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek cruised, Naomi Osaka battled through and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard called time on her WTA career with a gutsy second-round loss in Montreal on Wednesday. Switzerland's Belinda Bencic sent Bouchard into retirement with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory -- but not before the Canadian thrilled her hometown fans by seizing an early break in the third set. Spectators were on their feet, trying to will Bouchard to another victory on the heels of her first-round triumph on Monday -- her first WTA win since 2023. Iga Swiatek plays a forehand against Hanyu Guo. AFP But Bencic won five of the last six games to vanquish Bouchard, who had announced earlier in July she would retire after a final appearance in her home tournament. 'I think it's so special to play my last match here in Montreal on this court in front of you guys,' a teary Bouchard said as she was honored on court after the match. 'I remember being a little kid sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming that I would play on this court one day. Bouchard, who rose as high as fifth in the world rankings, shot to prominence in 2014 when she reached the Wimbledon final and made semi-final runs at the Australian and French Opens. But her career was hindered by injuries, including a concussion suffered in a locker room slip at the 2015 US Open and a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2021. Iga Swiatek greets fans after defeating Guo Hanyu during second round tennis at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal. AP There was no drama for Poland's Swiatek, who breezed past Chinese qualifier Guo Hanyu 6-3, 6-1 in her first match since her crushing victory over Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final. Swiatek, seeded second, broke Guo's serve six times to book her spot in the third round. It was much harder going for Japan's four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who saved two match points in a 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) 6-3 triumph over Liudmila Samsonova. Naomi Osaka returns the ball to Ariana Arseneault in first round play at IGA Stadium. Osaka, now working with Tomasz Wiktorowski after announcing on Monday she had split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, surrendered early breaks in each of the first two sets. Wimbledon quarter-finalist Samsonova served for the match at 5-4 in the second and led 40-15. The Russian fired a forehand long on her first match point and on her second a lackluster drop shot effort gave Osaka an opening and the Japanese star pounced. Ariana Arseneault returns the ball to Naomi Osaka. Samsonova's double fault on break point allowed Osaka to level the set, and after storming back from 5-2 down in the tiebreaker to force a third set Osaka took control early, breaking Samsonova twice on the way to a 4-1 lead. Jessica Pegula, the two-time defending champion and third seed, saved five set points in the opening set on the way to a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari of Greece. Australian Open champion Madison Keys, the sixth seed, opened her campaign with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Laura Siegemund, avenging a third-round loss to the German at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, second-seeded Taylor Fritz struggled with three rain delays and a stubborn Spanish opponent on Wednesday, pulling out a tight 7-5, 7-6 (7/1) win over Roberto Carballes Baena at the ATP Toronto Masters. The second-round match was halted repeatedly by light rain, with the final 18-minute pause coming just as the second-set tiebreaker was about to start. But Fritz, winner of Stuttgart and Eastbourne titles this season, quickly sprinted to victory before heavier rains were expected to set in. The American was far from pleased with a win which was marred by 45 unforced errors and confessed that he has not yet felt on his game in Canada. 'Even in practice I'm having a hard time putting the ball into the court,' he said. 'But I'm happy to get through this one. 'Everything is not feeling great, it's tough to control the ball. 'Since I've been here it's been absolutely brutal. But I have another match to figure it out and hopefully I can play myself into the tournament.' Agencies

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store