Fritz Mercur (June 23, 1903 – September 1961) was an American tennis player. He was an insurance salesman. In a twenty-year career, Mercur was an inconsistent performer, but at his best had a victory over Bill Tilden (at a tournament at Rye in 1928) to his name.[1]
Full name | Frederic Mercur |
---|---|
Country (sports) | ![]() |
Born | June 23, 1903 Williamsport, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | September, 1961 (aged 58)[citation needed] Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Turned pro | 1921 (amateur tour) |
Retired | 1941 |
Singles | |
Career record | 79-46 |
Career titles | 16 |
Grand Slam singles results | |
US Open | SF (1929) |
Mercur made his debut at the U. S. Championships in 1921 and lost in round one to that year's finalist Wallace F. Johnson.[2] Mercur lost early at the U. S. championships in 1923, 1924, 1926, 1927 and 1928. In 1929 Mercur beat Wilmer Allison before losing to Frank Hunter in the semi-finals.[2] In beating Allison (the champion in 1935), Mercur came to the net and beat Allison at his own game.[3] Mercur lost early in 1930, 1932, 1935, 1936 and 1937.
Mercur won the New York State Championships in 1928 defeating Wilmer Allison in the final in three straight sets. The following season he won the Southampton Invitation on Long Island N.Y. for 1929 defeating John Doeg in the final in three straight sets. Also in 1929, Mercur won the Florida East Coast Championships defeating Allison in the final in a close five set match.
References
edit- ^ "16 Aug 1928, Page 23, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle". bklyn.newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Talbert, Bill (1967). Tennis Observed. Boston: Barre Publishers. pp. 99, 107. OCLC 172306.
- ^ "13 Sep 1929, Page 25, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle". bklyn.newspapers.com.