Fred Stolle death, Australian grand slam winner passes away, Todd Woodbridge comments

Australian tennis champion Todd Woodbridge has hailed Fred Stolle, a great player and broadcaster from earlier years, as a "legend of our game", an "iconic Australian" and one of his idols.

Tributes to Stolle are flooding in after the Australian tennis great died at the age of 86.

He won two singles grand slams, claimed 17 doubles majors and was a singles world No.1 in a magnificent career throughout the 1960s.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Legend's subtle dig amid NRL relocation furore

READ MORE: Gould's simple fix to save Jillaroos from Vegas axe

READ MORE: 'He is a clown': Gillespie rips coach successor

Stolle, nicknamed "Fiery", won the 1965 Roland-Garros and US singles titles.

He won at least two men's doubles titles at all four grand slams, as well as two or more mixed doubles crowns at the Australian Open, at Wimbledon and in the US.

Stolle was also a member of three triumphant Davis Cup teams between 1964 and 1966.

He is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Fred Stolle in action at Wimbledon in 1963. Fox Photos

"Fred is an absolute legend of our game for several reasons," Woodbridge told Wide World of Sports.

"He's an iconic Australian that travelled the world and gave us this reputation of being likeable and of being hard workers.

"The key about this era of champions that we're starting to lose — we lost Neale Fraser before Christmas and we've now lost Fred Stolle — is these guys paved the way for professional tennis as we know it today and they drove an Aussie culture overseas that made us incredibly likeable. That's my job, Pat Rafter's job, Lleyton Hewitt's job now; to make sure we continue with those ethics and traditions that they passed on to us."

Stolle coached former world No.3 Vitas Gerulaitis of the US, who conquered the Australian Open in 1977.

Stolle then entered the world of broadcasting and earned a reputation as an astute commentator across several networks, including Nine's Wide World of Sports.

Stan Sport is the home of grand slam tennis and the place to watch every match of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Roland-Garros and US Open

Fred Stolle competing at Wimbledon in 1965. Getty

"I credit him personally for where I am in my post-tennis career," said Woodbridge, the captain of Nine’s tennis commentary team.

"When I started playing he was the voice of Channel Nine, along with [Australian tennis icon] John Newcombe and [US tennis great] Tony Trabert, and he was always there with a joke and a crack, but positive advice about how to become better.

"Then he made a career for himself after playing tennis, as a broadcaster and a commentator, and in America running corporate tennis to all the biggest organisations and the biggest companies, and I thought, 'OK, this is the guy to look at, to emulate', because he had done so well ... He showed there's more to life than just playing tennis."

There was a distinct personality trait of Stolle's that Woodbridge will always remember.

"I won't forget the way he used to chuckle and laugh," Woodbridge said.

"He would poke you with a bit of sarcasm, and then start chuckling and laughing, and it was to remind you to not take yourself too seriously."

From left: John Newcombe, Fred Stolle and Tony Trabert commentating for Nine at Wimbledon in 1990. Fairfax

Stolle's finest Davis Cup achievement was a come-from-behind, five-set victory over American Dennis Ralston in Cleveland in 1964.

He treasured playing in the Davis Cup above all other tennis.

"To play for Australia meant everything to me," Stolle said several years ago, when asked to reflect on the competition.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley lauded the career and life of the tennis great from Sydney.

From left: Fred Stolle, Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver in Chicago in 2018. Getty

"When we speak about Australia's golden era and the progression from amateur to professionalism, Stolle's name is right up there with the best," Tiley said.

"A star member of Australia's Davis Cup team, Fred made significant contributions to the sport following his decorated career, as a coach and astute commentator.

"His legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis. His impact on the sport will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Fred's family and friends during this sad time."

Stolle is survived by wife Pat, son Sandon, who was also a world-class tennis player, and daughters Monique and Nadine.

Click here to read article