Although Perry began his tennis career aged 18, it is less well known that he was also a Table Tennis World Champion in In , Perry helped lead the Great Britain team to victory over France in the Davis Cup, which was the team's first success since Film stars liked to be photographed with good-looking young sportsmen, and Perry was linked with a string of actresses including Marlene Dietrich.
His first marriage was to a Texan actress, Helen Vinson, and he went through three divorces before finding domestic happiness with his fourth wife, Barbara Riese. By Fred was being asked to make cameo appearances in Hollywood films. As he pondered how he would earn a living when his playing career ended, he knew such appearances would bring him great wealth.
But the governing bodies of tennis declared that if he went ahead he would be in breach of the rules and instantly barred from amateur competition. In , having been world number one for three years, Perry decided to quit the amateur game to live and work in the USA, where he spent much of the rest of his life. By joining a small professional tennis circuit, travelling around American cities and receiving a share of the gate receipts, he started to earn large sums of money, but could no longer compete at the likes of Wimbledon.
He was relieved of his honorary membership of the prestigious All England Club — awarded to him as Wimbledon champion — and when his professional tour visited Britain he was barred from appearing on the courts of any LTA-affiliated club. Instead, the most successful player the nation had produced became almost a non-person in the eyes of the tennis establishment. After the Second World War, Perry built a new life based around business enterprises notably the famous Fred Perry sportswear label , coaching and commentating.
Based mainly in the USA, which he found less hidebound than Britain about social distinctions, his frosty relationship with the All England Club and the LTA improved slowly over the years, especially when tennis finally embraced professionalism after Even so, it was only towards the end of his life that reconciliation became complete. The same bodies that once shunned him were ever more anxious to honour Perry, in part because his reputation soared as the years passed in which no British man was able to match his success.
His place as a domestic sporting legend was secure. Claims to fame: one of only two British women since s to win Wimbledon twice; refused as a Christian to play on Sundays Playing style: all rounder comfortable both at baseline and net Wimbledon record: reached quarter finals four times; lost in final ; took title in and ; won mixed doubles three times, twice with Perry Other achievements: won Australian championships Claims to fame: triumphed in first all-British Wimbledon final for nearly 50 years; built successful career despite being partially deaf Playing style: fast around court and particularly stinging forehand Wimbledon record: lost in one semi final and one final before beating Christine Truman in tight finale Other achievements: won two other grand slam titles, in France and Australia Claims to fame: last British man to reach Wimbledon singles final; among first to wear shorts on the famous grass courts Playing style: elegant baseliner, renowned for accuracy Wimbledon record: reached latter stages several times; soundly beaten in final by Americans Ellsworth Vines and Donald Budge Other achievements: superb British number two to Perry in Davis Cup; reached final of French championships Accessibility Adjustments Aa.
We are open — discover your local Fred Perry shop. Fred taught himself to play in this way. He was world table tennis champion at He switched to lawn tennis. He remains one of the greatest sports people this country has ever seen.
In , a statue of Fred was unveiled at Wimbledon — a permanent tribute to the champion. The Brentham Club. The Fred Perry Championship. A trio of legendary Munich Techno clubs from past and present. Allow Cookies.
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