Gerald Leighton Patterson MC

Military Cross

The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....

(17 December 1895 – 13 June 1967) was an Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n male tennis player. He was born in Melbourne

Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

, educated at Scotch College Melbourne and died in Melbourne in 13 June 1967. He was the co-World No. 1 player for 1919 along with Bill Johnston.

History

Tall and well-built, Gerald Patterson played a strong serve-and-volley game that won him three major singles. Patterson was known as the "Human Catapult" for his powerful serve that many of the top players had trouble returning. He also enjoyed great success representing Australia in Davis Cup

Davis Cup

The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...

 and amassed a 32–14 win–loss record (singles 21–10, doubles 11–4) and was part of the winning team in 1919. Gerald played Davis cup 1920, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1928 and finally as captain in 1946. He was a player ahead of his time, playing with a steel racquet strung with wire in 1925.

He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame

International Tennis Hall of Fame

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is located in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. The hall of fame and honors players and contributors to the sport of tennis and includes a museum, grass tennis courts, an indoor tennis facility, and a court tennis facility.-History:The hall of fame and...

 in 1989 and then the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame

Australian Tennis Hall of Fame

The Australian Tennis Hall of Fame was established in 1993 and induction takes place on Rod Laver Arena on Australia Day each year during the Australian Open. Induction is recognised by a bronze bust which is later displayed in Garden Square at Melbourne Park.Australian Tennis Hall of Fame...

 in August 1997.

Patterson was the nephew of Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba

Nellie Melba

Dame Nellie Melba GBE , born Helen "Nellie" Porter Mitchell, was an Australian operatic soprano. She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian Era and the early 20th century...

 and father of racing driver Bill Patterson

Bill Patterson (racing driver)

Gerard William Riggall "Bill" Patterson was an Australian motor racing driver, race team owner and businessman....

. Patterson was awarded the Military Cross

Military Cross

The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....

for bravery as an officer in Royal Field Artillery in 1917 at Messines.

Australian championships

• Singles champion: 1927
  • Singles finalist: 1914, 1922, 1925
• Doubles champion 1914, 1922, 1925, 1926, 1927
  • Doubles finalist: 1924, 1932

Wimbledon championships

• Singles champion: 1919, 1922
  • Singles finalist: 1920
  • Doubles finalist: 1922, 1926
• Mixed champion: 1920