MELBOURNE, Australia — Neale Fraser, a notable figure in the world of tennis with three Grand Slam singles titles to his name and four Davis Cup titles as Australia’s captain, has passed away at the age of 91.
Tennis Australia announced his death in a statement on Tuesday, recognizing him as one of the sport’s towering figures.

Fraser achieved remarkable success in his career, famously overcoming Australian tennis legend Rod Laver to capture the Wimbledon title in 1960. This victory came on the heels of his impressive performance in the U.S. Open, where he clinched singles, as well as men’s doubles and mixed titles in 1959 and 1960. Throughout his career, he accumulated a total of 11 major men’s doubles championships, securing victories at every Grand Slam tournament at least twice.

Fraser was instrumental in leading Australia to four consecutive Davis Cup victories, showcasing his talents as both a player and a leader. Notably, he turned down several lucrative invitations to turn professional, as he aspired to take over the role of the national team captain from Harry Hopman.

His dream came to fruition in 1970, and he continued to serve in that capacity until 1993, overseeing a total of 24 Davis Cup campaigns during which Australia claimed the title four times. Tennis Australia lauded Fraser’s impact, stating that he inspired generations of players like John Newcombe, John Fitzgerald, and Pat Cash with his leadership and dedication.

In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Fraser was honored with induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984. Later, in 2008, he received the International Tennis Federation’s prestigious Philippe Chatrier Award, which acknowledges outstanding achievements within tennis.