It says everything about the incredible depth of talent in Australian men\u2019s tennis in the thirty years after World War II that Fred Stolle, who died earlier this week at the age of 86, was almost certainly not one of the five finest Australian male players of his era, even though he won two Major Singles titles, 10 Major Men\u2019s Doubles titles and was part of an Australian team that won a hat-trick of Davis Cup titles.<\/p>\n
Indeed, it is arguable that Australian men\u2019s tennis in that period was so great that it is probably the most glittering golden age that any country has enjoyed, not just in tennis but in any sport.<\/p>\n
Stolle\u2019s greatest achievements came in the 1960s, the last decade (or near-full decade) in which tennis was an amateur sport before it went fully professional in 1968.<\/p>\n
He won the French Open in 1965, defeating his compatriot Tony Roche 3-6 6-0 6-2 6-3 in the final. As a classic serve-volleyer who had grown up on almost exclusively grass courts in Australia, it was a genuine surprise that he won his first Major Singles title on the much slower clay of Roland Garros.<\/p>\n