He left his mark on Australian tennis like no other, winning two Grand Slam singles titles, among other things. Now Fred Stolle has died.
Australian tennis loses a defining figure. Fred Stolle, two-time Grand Slam winner and longtime commentator, has died at the age of 86. Officials announced the news on Thursday, paying tribute to his “outstanding achievements, commitment and deep love of tennis”.
Stolle celebrated his first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 1965, and a year later he won the US Open. He was particularly successful in doubles, where he won a total of 17 Grand Slam titles. After his active career, he shaped the sport as a commentator and radio announcer and became known to many fans as the “voice of tennis”.
Craig Tiley, head of the Australian Tennis Federation, emphasized that Stolle was a key figure in the development of the sport. “When we talk about Australia’s golden era and the development from amateur to professional tennis, Stolle’s name is at the top of the list of the best,” he said.
