John Bromwich

John Edward Bromwich was born on November 14, 1918 in Sydney, New South Wales, to John Neville Fraser, a wealthy pastoralist and politician, and Una Arnold Woolf Fraser, a nurse and social worker. He was the grandson of Simon Fraser, a Scottish-born pioneer and senator. He attended Tudor House School and Melbourne Grammar School, where he excelled academically and in sports. He then studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, politics and economics. Bromwich entered the world of tennis in 1934 as an amateur player. He was one of the first players to use a two-handed backhand, which gave him an advantage over his opponents. He was also a natural left-hander, but hit his serve with his right hand. He won his first Grand Slam title in 1938, partnering with Adrian Quist to win the Australian Championships men's doubles. He also reached the semifinals of the US Championships singles that year, losing to Don Budge. Bromwich won his first Australian Championships singles title in 1939, defeating Quist in straight sets. He also won the men's doubles and mixed doubles titles that year, completing a rare triple crown. He played a crucial role in Australia's Davis Cup victory over the United States in Philadelphia, just as World War II was starting. He and Quist won the doubles rubber, and Bromwich clinched the Cup for Australia by beating Frank Parker in straight sets. This remains the only time in Davis Cup history where the winning team has won a final after trailing 0-2. Bromwich's tennis career was interrupted by the war, as he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and served as a pilot instructor. He resumed playing after the war and won his second Australian Championships singles title in 1946, beating Dinny Pails in five sets. He also won the men's doubles title with Quist for the fifth time. Bromwich reached his only Wimbledon singles final in 1948, where he faced Bob Falkenburg of the United States. He had three match points at 5-3 in the fifth set, but failed to convert them. He let a volley go by, thinking it would land out, but it hit the baseline. He then missed two more chances and Falkenburg came back to win the match 7-5 in the final set. Bromwich continued to dominate the doubles scene, winning eight more Grand Slam titles with various partners. He won three US Championships titles with Bill Sidwell (1949) and Frank Sedgman (1949, 1950), two Wimbledon titles with Sedgman (1948, 1950), and three more Australian Championships titles with Sedgman (1947, 1948) and George Worthington (1950). He also won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles with Louise Brough (1947 US Championships), Margaret Osborne duPont (1947 Wimbledon), Louise Brough (1948 Wimbledon) and Doris Hart (1948 Australian Championships). Bromwich retired from tennis in 1954 and became a newsagent in Geelong, Victoria. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984. He died of a heart attack on October 21, 1999 at his home in Geelong. He was survived by his wife Zenda, whom he married in 1946.