Alex Olmedo, who won the Wimbledon and Australian Championships singles titles in 1959 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, has died. He was 84.
Citing Olmedo's son, Alejandro Jr., the Hall of Fame said Thursday that Olmedo died of brain cancer on Wednesday.
Alejandro Alex Olmedo was born in Peru in 1936 and moved to the United States as a teenager. He went to the University of Southern California, where he won NCAA tennis championships in singles and doubles in both 1956 and 1958.
Olmedo played in the Davis Cup for the United States and led the team to the trophy in 1958, when he also paired with Ham Richardson to win the doubles title at the U.S. National Championships, the tournament now known as the U.S. Open.
That was followed by Olmedo's historic 1959 season, which in addition to a victory over Rod Laver in the Wimbledon final and his triumph at the tournament now called the Australian Open included a run to the final at the U.S. National Championships.
That was when Grand Slam tournaments were closed to professional players. Olmedo turned pro in 1960.
Alex Olmedo came from humble beginnings and he made sacrifices and worked hard to chase his dreams of a tennis career, ultimately becoming a major champion and Hall of Famer, International Tennis Hall of Fame President Stan Smith said in a statement.
He was a terrific player and a Davis Cup hero. ... He was a great champion, a great friend, and he will be missed.
Olmedo taught tennis for more than 25 years at the Beverly Hills Hotel, with celebrity students such as Katharine Hepburn, Robert Duvall and Chevy Chase, according to the hall.
In addition to Alejandro Jr., Olmedo is survived by his daughters, Amy and Angela, and four grandchildren, the hall said. He was previously married to Ann Pierce Olmedo.
Memorial services were pending.
Catch up on all the latest <a title="sports news" href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports" target="_blank">sports news</a> and updates here.&nbsp;Also download the new mid-day <a title="mid-day android app " href="https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr" target="_blank">Android</a> and <a title="mid-day iOS app" href="https://goo.gl/KQziH4" target="_blank">iOS</a> apps to get latest updates. 
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (<a title="MID-DAY on Telegram" href="https://t.me/middayinfomedialtd" target="_blank">@middayinfomedialtd</a>) and stay updated with the latest news.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Citing Olmedo's son, Alejandro Jr., the Hall of Fame said on Thursday that Olmedo died of brain cancer on Wednesday.



Wimbledon champ, Tennis Hall of Famer Alex Olmedo passes away at 84

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Wimbledon champ, Tennis Hall of Famer Alex Olmedo passes away at 84

Wimbledon champ, Tennis Hall of Famer Alex Olmedo passes away at 84

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast