Former world No.1 Roger Federer was among those paying tribute to Australian tennis great Neale Fraser, who has been farewelled at a state funeral in Melbourne.
The tennis community, including legends such as Lleyton Hewitt, Paul McNamee and Todd Woodbridge were among the mourners at St Patrick’s Cathedral, as well as John Fitzgerald, who paid tribute to his former Davis Cup captain.
Fraser died earlier in December at his Melbourne home, aged 91.
The funeral was also attended by former Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu and John Brumby, along with current state leader Jacinta Allan, who described Fraser as “equal parts sheer blinding talent and dedicated to hard work”.
Fraser won 19 grand slam titles, including three singles crowns, and held the world No.1 ranking in both singles and doubles during his career.
But he is best remembered for his involvement with the Davis Cup, both as a player and in a record-setting run as Australian captain.
After helping Australia claim four successive Davis Cup titles from 1959 to 1962, he was captain for a record 24 years from 1970 to 1993, steering Australia to four finals triumphs – in 1973, 1977, 1983 and 1986 – and recording 55 wins from 75 ties played.
Fitzgerald, who was part of the last two titles, said Fraser became a close friend and mentor.
“He had the ability to bring the different characters in our team together,” the former doubles star said of their 1983 team of himself, Paul McNamee, Pat Cash and Mark Edmondson.
“We were four different personalities, all friends but from different planets, but he got us to work together and fight for a common goal.
“He had great passion for the green and gold.”
With a mini Davis Cup trophy, wooden racquet and his trademark terry-towelling hat flanking the coffin that was topped with an Australian flag, Fitzgerald read a letter sent from Federer to Fraser’s widow Thea.
“I’m deeply saddened to hear of Neale’s passing … he was a true legend,” Federer wrote.
“I always enjoyed his company when we met around the world.”
A three-time grand slam singles champion, Fraser downed Rod Laver in a memorable all-Australian Wimbledon men’s final in 1960.
He also won two US Open singles titles, again beating Laver in 1960 a year after overcoming Peru-born American Alex Olmedo.
Emerging during the golden era of Australian men’s tennis, Fraser also amassed 16 grand slam doubles titles, completing the career slam in the men’s format, and claimed five mixed major trophies.
He was elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984, the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994, and was honoured with the Philippe Chatrier Award for outstanding achievements in tennis in 2008.
He was remembered by his wife Thea, her three children and his five children with first wife Wendy.
Daughter Melissa Fraser spoke on behalf of the family and told of her dad’s love of golf and horse-racing as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“Dad if there’s one thing you taught us in life, it’s to have passion,” she said.
“Whether it be barracking for the Melbourne Demons, trying to pick a winner at the races or on the golf course.”
She said Wimbledon was his “special place”, with Fraser visiting more than 50 times including in 2023, when he was honoured as a former champion.
He rarely missed an Australian Open, attending most days of the Melbourne tournament each year.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au