From Tilden to Federer – Mulloy’s Grand Slam Life

Written by: Staff on 18th February 2013

From Tilden to Federer - Mulloy's Grand Slam Life |

On New Year’s Day I had the honor and pleasure of a phone interview with tennis Hall of Famer, Gardnar Mulloy, who turned 99 years young this past November 22. (10sballs.com wishes him a belated but very Happy Birthday!)

Tall, athletic and movie-star handsome, Mulloy richly deserves the word “honor” because of his achievements on and off the tennis court. This includes being a decorated Lt. Commander in the Navy during WW2, surviving the bloody invasions at Anzio, Salerno and Normandy.

And I use the word “pleasure” because, even a year shy of a century, Gardnar’s full of humor. A prime example is an event in 1950, right before Wimbledon. Prominent players from all over the world were invited to a garden party where Mulloy found himself seated next to, none other than, Elizabeth, the crown princess.

Over tea, Mulloy, a self-described “brash American”, asked her why she was absent so often from Wimbledon’s royal box. The hostess of the party, Lady Crossfield, intervened. “My dear Mr. Mulloy, those in the royal family have many confining obligations and cannot possibly schedule everything.” “Oh”, a bewildered Mulloy replied to the princess, “I thought maybe you weren’t able to get tickets, which I would be happy to provide.” (Mulloy hits a bold first serve.)

Cut to 1957, Wimbledon on Centre Court. Along with partner, Budge Patty, Mulloy receives the cup for the Men’s Doubles title from now Queen Elizabeth II. After bowing respectfully he boldly asks if she remembers him. “Yes, Mr. Mulloy”, the Queen replies. “I remember you quite well. As a matter of fact, I had difficulty getting in today so apparently you forgot to leave me those tickets.” (The Queen hits a return winner!)

Mulloy’s fabled tennis career includes winning the U.S. Championships Doubles title with Bill Talbert in 1942, ’45, ’46, ’48 and the Wimbledon Doubles at age 43, still a record. In addition to the 5 Slams (9 times a runner-up) Mulloy won over 127 national championships and 25 international titles in over 75 years. And no “75 years” wasn’t a typo as Mulloy played regularly until he was 97!

These days, Mulloy’s had to forgo playing but still watches tennis avidly and is a big admirer of Roger Federer, “When he wins he just goes about his business like a gentleman.”

While known primarily for doubles, Mulloy first cracked the top ten for U.S. men’s singles in 1939 when he was 26. He spent no fewer than 14 years in the top ten, the last time when he was 41!

In 1952, Mulloy, a U.S. Open Finalist, was ranked #1 in the U.S. In fact, in his career he won 46 singles titles. And here’s an interesting stat: Mulloy has a win or wins over every player he played two or more times, except Rod Laver who beat him twice. This list includes: Bobby Riggs, Pancho Segura, Budge Patty, Ken Rosewall and my childhood favorite, Richard (Pancho) Gonzalez.

Between 1946 and 1957, Mulloy represented the U.S. in Davis Cup competition in seven different years, going unbeaten in three singles matches. He also secured victories in eight of eleven doubles contests, and played important roles on three American championship squads.

As he got older, instead of the Barcalounger and TV remote, Mulloy became one of the standout American seniors, playing in every age category, including the 90-and-over division. (Young kids often play “up” in divisions beyond their years, well Mulloy, in his 90’s, often played “down” into the 80’s and 70’s in order to get competitive matches.)

Once, while playing in the 90’s championships at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., a buzz of excitement went through the clubhouse because President Clinton was playing golf that day. Sure enough, while in a semi-final, Mulloy noticed Clinton watching his match.

At the risk of defaulting, Gardnar walked over and said, “Mr. President, you don’t know me but I am Gardnar Mulloy, an admirer of yours.” Clinton replied, “Sure, I know you. I’ve followed your career since I was a little boy.” Mulloy responded, “At my age, Mr. President, you’re still a boy.”

Mulloy graduated from the University of Miami in 1936 and wound up coaching the tennis team. He famously recruited Pancho Segura, from Ecuador, who won a record three straight NCAA tennis singles championships, 1943-45. (Unmatched until USC’s Steve Johnson 2010-2012.) Segura once joked, “Gardnar’s 91 and I’m 84. When I grow up I want to be just like him.”

Mulloy was a lawyer for 70 years, a lifelong vegetarian, non-smoker, non-drinker, a proponent for racial justice and an animal rights activist. For fifty-five years he was married to his high school sweetheart, Madeleine (“the kindest most beautiful girl in the world”) with whom he raised two daughters, Diane and Janice.

Sadly, Madeleine passed away in 1993. But seventeen years later, at age 95, Gar married the delightful Lady Jaqueline Mayer of London. The two live on Fisher Island in Miami not far from where Gar grew up.

In 1960 Mulloy wrote an autobiography, The Will To Win. In 2009 he came out with an update, a must read for tennis fans. It was title As It Was, and is filled with strong opinions, humorous anecdotes and charming reminisces. (Including kissing Grace Kelly and playing touch football with JFK, though not on the same day.)

With its classic vintage photos (the cover is of Queen Elizabeth presenting him the Wimbledon Championship Cup) the book is a virtual history of tennis. (There’s also a stunningly dramatic photo of Gardnar in France standing over a fallen German soldier whom he had shot only moments earlier which is a powerful commentary on the harsh reality of war.) And, as its foreword, is a touching tribute to Gar from Billy Jean King.

Enshrined in a record eight Halls of Fame, no one, from Bill Tilden to Roger Federer, has been a more enduring figure at the highest level of tennis than Gardnar Mulloy. “Tennis is the perfect outlet which can serve you best at middle age”,Mulloy comments. “If you don’t quit before you are 50, you are gloriously hooked for the rest of your life.” And, for Gardnar Mulloy, it has been a Grand Slam life.

Editor’s Note: Out of the archives, celebrating Gardnar Mulloy’s 99th birthday on Nov. 22nd.

Topics: Bill Tilden, Gardnar Mulloy, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News