“True legend”: household, stars to say goodbye to tennis nice Neale Fraser | December 18, 2024 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

As household, buddies and Australian tennis legends bid farewell to Neale Fraser at a state funeral, former world No.1 Roger Federer additionally paid tribute to the Aussie nice.

Melbourne, Australia, 18 December 2024 | Melissa Woods, AAP

The tennis group, together with Lleyton Hewitt, Paul McNamee, Todd Woodbridge and John Fitzgerald, had been amongst those that paid farewell to Neale Fraser at a state funeral at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral on Wednesday.

Former world No.1 Roger Federer additionally paid tribute to the Australian legend.

This follows the loss of life of the previous Davis Cup captain on the age of 91 on December 3.

The funeral was additionally attended by Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu and John Brumby, in addition to present chief Jacinta Allan, who described Fraser as “equal components blindingly proficient and pushed, hard-working”.

Fraser received 19 Grand Slam titles, together with three singles crowns, and held the world No.1 rating in each singles and doubles throughout his profession.

However he’s greatest remembered for his involvement within the Davis Cup, each as a participant and within the historic match as Australia’s captain.

After serving to Australia win 4 consecutive Davis Cup titles from 1959 to 1962, he captained Australia for twenty-four years from 1970 to 1993, guiding Australia to 4 finals – in 1973, 1977, 1983 and 1986 – and recorded 55 wins from 75. is performed.

Fitzgerald, who was a part of the final two titles, mentioned Fraser set a excessive normal for his Davis Cup gamers.

“He was my hero who turned my captain, who turned out to be my mentor and my good friend,” mentioned the participant who performed twice for his 1983 crew, Paul McNamee, Pat Money and Mark Edmondson.

“He had the flexibility to convey collectively totally different actors in our crew.

“We had been 4 totally different folks, we’re all buddies however from totally different planets, however he acquired us to work collectively and struggle for a similar aim.

“He had a fantastic love for inexperienced and gold.”

With a small Davis Cup trophy, a wood racket and his trademark terry-toweling hat in a casket topped with an Australian flag, Fitzgerald learn a letter despatched by Federer to Fraser’s widow Thea.

“I’m deeply saddened to listen to of Neale’s passing … he was a legend of our sport and his unimaginable achievements and management proceed to encourage gamers in every single place,” Federer wrote.

“He and his technology set a superb instance for us to comply with.”

A 3-time Grand Slam singles champion, Fraser took down Rod Laver in a memorable closing at Wimbledon in Australia in 1960.

He additionally received two US Open titles, defeating Laver once more in 1960 a 12 months after defeating Peruvian-born American Alex Olmedo.

Rising through the golden period of Australian males’s tennis, Fraser additionally amassed 16 Grand Slam doubles titles, finishing a profession slam within the males’s format, and claimed 5 main combined titles.

He was elected to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame in 1984, the Australian Tennis Corridor of Fame in 1994, and was honored with the Philippe Chatrier Award for excellent achievements in tennis in 2008.

Predeceased by his spouse Thea, his three kids and his 5 kids with first spouse Wendy.

Daughter Melissa Fraser spoke on behalf of the household and recounted her father’s love of golf and horse racing alongside along with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Dad, if there’s something you’ve got taught us in life, it is to have love,” she mentioned.

“Whether or not it’s thwarted by the demons of Melbourne, attempting to select a winner on the races or on the golf course.

“You prevented skilled life to guard your Davis Cup captaincy, he’s the daddy we knew – Australia first.

Whether or not it was the Fed Cup, the Davis Cup or the Olympics, your love on your nation was admirable.

He mentioned Wimbledon was his “particular place”, the place Fraser has visited greater than 50 occasions together with his closing journey in 2023, the place he was honored as a former champion.

> TRIBUTE: Remembering Neale Fraser