Vivian McGrath
Encyclopedia
Vivian Erzerum Bede "Viv" McGrath (17 February 1916 – 9 April 1978) was an Australia
n tennis
champion of the 1930s. Along with John Bromwich, he was one of the first great players to use a two-handed backhand
. His name was pronounced "McGraw".
He was born in Merrendee, near Mudgee, New South Wales
, the fourth child of native Australian parents. His father was a hotelkeeper. He went to Sydney Boys' High School, where he played tennis and cricket.
He won the Australian junior singles in 1932 and the French junior singles in 1933. He was a member of the Australian Davis Cup
team from 1933 to 1937. He won the Australian Open
doubles championship with his friend Jack Crawford
in 1935. In 1937, he won the Australian Open singles title against John Bromwich
.
World War II
interrupted his career, and he served in the Air Force. He was granted leave to play exhibition games against American servicemen.
After the War, he never regained his form and was plagued by injuries. He eventually became a coach in the southern highlands and pursued his interest in horse racing. He died in Burradoo, New South Wales of heart disease.
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 tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
champion of the 1930s. Along with John Bromwich, he was one of the first great players to use a two-handed backhand
Backhand
The backhand is a tennis shot in which one swings the racquet around one's body in the direction where one wants the ball to go, usually performed from the baseline or as an approach shot. The term is also used in other racquet sports, and other areas where a similar motion is employed...
. His name was pronounced "McGraw".
He was born in Merrendee, near Mudgee, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, the fourth child of native Australian parents. His father was a hotelkeeper. He went to Sydney Boys' High School, where he played tennis and cricket.
He won the Australian junior singles in 1932 and the French junior singles in 1933. He was a member of the Australian 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...
team from 1933 to 1937. He won the Australian Open
Australian Open
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court...
doubles championship with his friend Jack Crawford
Jack Crawford (tennis player)
----John Herbert Crawford was an Australian tennis player of the 1930s. He was the World No. 1 player for 1933.Crawford was born in Urangeline, near Albury, New South Wales...
in 1935. In 1937, he won the Australian Open singles title against John Bromwich
John Bromwich
John Edward Bromwich was a male tennis player from Australia who, along with his countryman Vivian McGrath, was one of the first great players to use a two-handed forehand....
.
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
interrupted his career, and he served in the Air Force. He was granted leave to play exhibition games against American servicemen.
After the War, he never regained his form and was plagued by injuries. He eventually became a coach in the southern highlands and pursued his interest in horse racing. He died in Burradoo, New South Wales of heart disease.
Wins (1)
| Year | Championship | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
| 1937 | Australian Championships |  John BromwichJohn Bromwich John Edward Bromwich was a male tennis player from Australia who, along with his countryman Vivian McGrath, was one of the first great players to use a two-handed forehand.... |
6–3, 1–6, 6–0, 2–6, 6–1 |