Vitas Gerulaitis was a colorful companion to legends Borg, McEnroe, and Connors, legendary as a party animal and womanizer. Forty-eight years ago today, he celebrated his greatest success. A tragic poisoning accident took his life.
They called him the “Lithuanian Lion.” And he lived up to that name not only on the court. Vitas Gerulaitis was one of the most memorable figures in tennis history, a companion and good friend of icons Björn Borg, John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors—not quite as successful in sports, but just as colorful as a personality.
The 1977 Australian Open winner was known as a party animal, a womanizer, and a regular at the legendary New York nightclub “Studio 54,” where he rubbed shoulders with superstars such as Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol.
Gerulaitis was a sports playboy like George Best and Formula 1 legend James Hunt—with an equally tragic and premature end: he died on September 17, 1994, a few months after his 40th birthday, as a result of a tragic poisoning accident near his home.
A dazzling life in the shadow of Borg, McEnroe, and Connors
Vitas Gerulaitis was born in Brooklyn on July 26, 1954. His parents had fled their native Lithuania for America during World War II. Vitas became a US citizen and, like his sister Ruta, proved to be a great tennis talent. Both became professionals.
The greatest triumph of his career came in 1977 with his victory in Melbourne, where he defeated Britain’s John Lloyd in the final on December 31—48 years ago today. Gerulaitis also reached the finals of the 1979 US Open and the 1980 French Open, but lost to McEnroe and Borg.
Gerulaitis’ highest world ranking was No. 3, and another career highlight was winning the Davis Cup in 1979. Alongside McEnroe, he contributed two victories to the 5-0 final triumph over Italy.
“No one beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row!”
The exceptional talent of the big three of that era prevented the “Lithuanian Lion” from having an even more successful career. Despite his penchant for the sweet life, however, his work ethic and perseverance as a professional were considered exemplary among his colleagues.
One of Gerulaitis’ most famous quotes came after the end of a long losing streak against Connors: “Let me tell you one thing: no one beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row!” (Björn Borg did it later, though.)
Another bon mot that summed up a lot: “If I were as successful on the court as I am off it, I would be number 1.”
Gerulaitis led Pete Sampras to a tournament victory
Gerulaitis ended his career in 1986 and subsequently made some private headlines—including a drug offense charge—but had settled down in the last years of his life.
He remained present on the scene as a commentator on US television and also had a brief stint alongside Pete Sampras, whose coach Tim Gullikson he replaced at the 1994 Italian Open.
Sampras won the final against Boris Becker with Gerulaitis as his coach, and four months later, the news of Gerulaitis’s untimely death shook the industry.
Cause of death: Gerulaitis poisoned by pool heater
On September 17, 1994, after playing in an old-timers’ doubles match with Borg, Connors, and Lloyd, Gerulaitis stayed overnight at a friend’s guest house in the small town of Southampton near New York, where a faulty pool heater poisoned the air with carbon monoxide.
A maid found Gerulaitis lifeless after he failed to show up for a scheduled dinner.
“He was like a brother to me. I knew him longer and better than anyone else and feel like I’ve lost a member of my family,” a shocked Borg told the New York Times.
Borg, McEnroe, and Connors were the pallbearers for their unfinished companion.
Gerulaitis was buried at Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
