Mike Sangster
Encyclopedia
Mike Sangster was one of the leading British tennis players of the 1960s.
, Devon
on 11 September 1940. He attended Torquay Boys' Grammar School
. As a teenager he played football for Torquay United and was offered a contract by West Ham United, before turning to tennis.
, 6-4 6-4 8-6. The only other Britons to have reached the Wimbledon semis since have been Roger Taylor, Tim Henman
and Andy Murray.
In 1963, aged 22, Sangster reached the semi finals of the French Tennis Championships where he lost to eventual champion Roy Emerson of Australia 8-6 6-3 6-4.
In 1964, Sangster's Australian coach, George Worthington, died. The death of his coach and mentor seemed to undermine Sangster's resolve.
(the others being Tim Henman
and Andy Murray) to have reached the semi-finals of three different Grand Slam events - Wimbledon in 1961, the US National Tennis Championships in 1961 and the French Championships in 1963.
in a Davis Cup match against Russia in 2004. Although it was considered by many to be a world record at the time, Sangster's record remains unofficial since it was not timed with precise modern technology (Similarly, Bill Tilden
had a serve timed unofficially at 163.6 mph in 1931). In order to return his serve, players had to retreat to the back of the court. In one match at the US Open, Rod Laver
retreated so far back that he became entangled with the backstop netting.
. He played 65 matches from 1960 to 1968, winning 43 of them.
Birth and Early Life
Mike Sangster was born in KingskerswellKingskerswell
Kingskerswell is a village and civil parish in the south of the county of Devon, England. The village grew up where an ancient track took the narrowest point across a marshy valley and it is of ancient foundation, being mentioned in the Domesday Book. It has a church dating back to the 14th century...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
on 11 September 1940. He attended Torquay Boys' Grammar School
Torquay Boys' Grammar School
Torquay Boys' Grammar School is a selective boys grammar school in Torquay, Devon, England.-Admissions:, it has approximately 1,058 students. The school was founded in 1904 and celebrated its centenary in 2004...
. As a teenager he played football for Torquay United and was offered a contract by West Ham United, before turning to tennis.
Tennis career
Mike Sangster made his first Wimbledon appearance aged 17 in 1958 and quickly rose to become British number one. He was immensely popular with the British public throughout the 1960s. He was renowned for his massive serve and for being a snappy dresser on court.1961 Wimbledon Championships - Men's Singles
In 1961, Sangster became the first Briton in almost a quarter of a century to reach the Wimbledon Men's Singles Semi-Finals (the previous being Bunny Austin in 1938). Sangster was beaten by the eighth seeded American, Chuck McKinleyChuck McKinley
Charles Robert "Chuck" McKinley Jr. was an American men’s amateur tennis player of the 1960s. He is remembered as an undersized, hard working dynamo, whose relentless effort and competitive spirit led American tennis to the top of the sport during a period heavily dominated by Australians.McKinley...
, 6-4 6-4 8-6. The only other Britons to have reached the Wimbledon semis since have been Roger Taylor, Tim Henman
Tim Henman
Timothy Henry "Tim" Henman OBE is a retired English professional tennis player and former British Number One. Henman played a serve-and-volley style of tennis that suited the grass courts of Wimbledon. He was the first player from the United Kingdom since Roger Taylor in the 1970s to reach the...
and Andy Murray.
In 1963, aged 22, Sangster reached the semi finals of the French Tennis Championships where he lost to eventual champion Roy Emerson of Australia 8-6 6-3 6-4.
In 1964, Sangster's Australian coach, George Worthington, died. The death of his coach and mentor seemed to undermine Sangster's resolve.
Grand Slam Record
While Sangster never reached a Grand Slam final, he is one of only three British men since Fred PerryFred Perry
Frederick John Perry was a championship-winning English tennis and table tennis player who won 10 Majors including eight Grand Slams and two Pro Slams. Perry won three consecutive Wimbledon Championships between 1934 and 1936 and was World No. 1 four years in a row...
(the others being Tim Henman
Tim Henman
Timothy Henry "Tim" Henman OBE is a retired English professional tennis player and former British Number One. Henman played a serve-and-volley style of tennis that suited the grass courts of Wimbledon. He was the first player from the United Kingdom since Roger Taylor in the 1970s to reach the...
and Andy Murray) to have reached the semi-finals of three different Grand Slam events - Wimbledon in 1961, the US National Tennis Championships in 1961 and the French Championships in 1963.
| French | Wimbledon | US | Australian | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | - | Round 1 | - | - |
| 1959 | - | - | - | - |
| 1960 | Round 1 | Round 3 | Round 4 | - |
| 1961 | Round 4 | Semi Final | Semi Final | Quarter Final |
| 1962 | Round 2 | Round 2 | Round 4 | - |
| 1963 | Semi Final | Round 1 | - | - |
| 1964 | Round 3 | Round 3 | Quarter Final | Quarter Final |
| 1965 | Round 2 | Round 2 | - | - |
| 1966 | Round 2 | Round 2 | - | - |
| 1967 | - | Round 3 | - | - |
| 1968 | Round 1 | Round 2 | - | - |
| 1969 | - | Round 1 | - | - |
Serve
Sangster was renowned for his fast serve. His fastest serve was recorded at 154 miles per hour in 1963. This compares with the current world record of 155 mph set by Andy RoddickAndy Roddick
Andrew Stephen "Andy" Roddick is an American professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. He is currently the second highest-ranked American player, behind Mardy Fish....
in a Davis Cup match against Russia in 2004. Although it was considered by many to be a world record at the time, Sangster's record remains unofficial since it was not timed with precise modern technology (Similarly, Bill Tilden
Bill Tilden
William Tatem Tilden II , nicknamed "Big Bill," is often considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. An American tennis player who was the World No. 1 player for seven years, he won 14 Majors including ten Grand Slams and four Pro Slams. Bill Tilden dominated the world of...
had a serve timed unofficially at 163.6 mph in 1931). In order to return his serve, players had to retreat to the back of the court. In one match at the US Open, Rod Laver
Rod Laver
Rodney George "Rod" Laver MBE is an Australian former tennis player who holds the record for titles won in career, and was the World No. 1 player for seven consecutive years, from 1964 to 1970...
retreated so far back that he became entangled with the backstop netting.
Davis Cup
Sangster holds the record for the most matches played for Great Britain in the Davis CupDavis 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...
. He played 65 matches from 1960 to 1968, winning 43 of them.