Tony Trabert

In a long and multi-faceted career, Tony Trabert proved that he was far more than a fantastic tennis player. While starring on the tennis court at Cincinnati, Trabert also played on the basketball team. After a great playing career that included winning 10 Grand Slam titles, five singles and five doubles, Trabert was a successful Davis Cup captain, television broadcaster and executive. A Cincinnati native, Trabert was a three-time state champion in tennis at Walnut Hills High School. Opting to play for his hometown Bearcats, Trabert won the NCAA singles title and the U.S. Clay Court Championship in 1951, while also reaching the NCAA doubles final with partner Bob Molt. He was also the starting point guard in the 1951-52 Cincinnati men’s basketball team that played in the NIT. After turning pro, Trabert reached No. 1 in the world in singles in 1953 and ’55. He won half of his 10 career Slams in 1955, when he won three in singles and two in doubles. In his playing career, Trabert went 26-8 in Davis Cup from 1951-55, playing No. 1 singles on the 1954 team that won the title. Trabert also served as captain in 1953 and again from 1976-80. During the Korean War, Trabert joined the Navy and served on an aircraft carrier. He played in the 1952 Davis Cup while on furlough. The legendary tennis journalist Bud Collins once referred to Trabert as “the all-American boy from Cincinnati with his ginger crew cut, freckles and uncompromisingly aggressive game.” Trabert was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1970, and he served as its president from 2001-11. Following his playing career, Trabert’s voice was synonymous with CBS’ tennis coverage for 30 years, particularly at the U.S. Open. Trabert died in 2021 at age 90.