1969 Hall Of Famer Art Larsen Passes Away

Written by: Staff on 24th December 2012

1969 Hall Of Famer Art Larsen Passes Away |

The Board of Directors and Staff of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum mourn the loss of a great American tennis champion and World War II veteran, Art “Tappy” Larsen. He passed away on December 7 in California, at the age of 87.

Despite a late start to his tennis career, due to military service, Larsen achieved the No. 1 ranking in the United States in 1950, and he was ranked in the world top-10 several times in the 1950’s.

In 1950, Larsen won the U.S. National Championships in a five-set match at Forest Hills. He also captured the titles at the U.S. Clay Courts (1952), U.S. Hard Courts (1952), and U.S. Indoors (1953), making him the first man to win the titles on four surfaces. Tony Trabert is the only other person to have accomplished this feat. In 1954, Larsen was a finalist at the French Championships. Larsen was a member of the United States Davis Cup team in 1951 and 1952. He compiled a 4-0 record, helping the team advance to the finals both years. Larsen was honored for his tennis achievements with induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1969.

He picked up the nickname “Tappy” because he had a habit of tapping things, such as the net, for good luck.

A California native, Larsen attended the University of San Francisco, where he was a member of the 1949 NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship team.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Art Larsen, International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News