Legends of Australian tennis will gather in Melbourne to farewell Australian great Neale Fraser at a state funeral.
The tennis community will come together at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Wednesday morning to honour Fraser, who died earlier this month at his Melbourne home, aged 91.
Fraser, AO, MBE, won 19 grand slam titles but is best remembered for his involvement with the Davis Cup, both as a player and in a record-setting run as Australian captain.
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 trophies.
But after helping Australia claim four successive Davis Cup titles from 1959 to 1962, Melbourne-born Fraser penned perhaps his greatest legacy as captain.
He held the role 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, all the while sitting courtside in his famous chair and terry towelling hat.
“I could never think of anything better than representing your country,” Fraser often said.
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.
Fraser ushered in several generations of talent including future captains John Newcombe and John Fitzgerald and two-time Cup-winning hero Pat Cash.
“He was like a father to me,” Cash told the Tennis Australia website.
“He just knew how to make you feel important and play your best.”
Fitzgerald and fellow former doubles star Todd Woodbridge are expected to attend, as is Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan MP, is expected to speak, describing Fraser as “one of Australia’s great sportsmen”.
“His legacy of perseverance, leadership and decency will be remembered by many in the tennis community and across our state,” Allan said upon the announcement of the state funeral.
Fraser is survived by second wife Thea, her three children and his five children shared with first wife Wendy.
Still active around his Melbourne home and a regular at the Australian Open each January, Fraser was recently able to attend his daughter Kristina’s 60th birthday with most of his family present.
Another daughter Melissa will address the congregation on behalf of the Fraser family while Australian opera star David Hobson will sing as a tribute to the tennis luminary.
The funeral is open to the public and will be live streamed online.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au