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Kooyong and
the Davis Cup
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Kooyong has proved a happy hunting ground for Australian Davis Cup
teams. Between 1946 and 1993, Australia staged nine Davis Cup contests
in this world famous stadium. All but the 1946 Challenge Round went the
home team’s way.
1946
Our players were defeated 5-0 by the Americans Jack Kramer and
Ted Schroeder. No Davis Cup tennis had been played in Australia for more
than a quarter of a century and despite the one sided scores, the
excitement was intense.
1953
Challenge Round. Australia trailed USA by 1-2 after the doubles,
but was saved by Sydney teenagers Lew Hoad and Ken Rosewell, who then
beat Tony Trabert and Vic Seixas respectively.
1957
Challenge Round. Ashley Cooper and Mal Anderson in singles, and
Anderson and Mervyn Rose in doubles, scored a 3-2 victory over the USA.
1961
Challenge Round. Roy Emerson and Rod Laver in singles, and
Emerson and Neale Fraser in doubles, beat Italy 5-0.
1966
Challenge Round. In a 4-1 triumph, Roy Emerson and Fred Stolle
were too strong for India in singles, but John Newcombe and Tony Roche
were upset in doubles.
1973
Inter-Zone Final. A ‘Dad’s Army’ that included the ageing Rod
Laver, John Newcombe and Ken Rosewell overcame Czechoslavakia 4-1.
1983
Final. The relatively low-ranked Pat Cash, John Fitzgerald, Mark
Edmondson and Paul McNamee capped a year of gallant efforts by beating
Sweden, led by Mats Wilander, 3-2.
1986
Final. In singles, Pat Cash defeated Stefan Edberg and Mikael
Pernfors (after trailing by two sets to love) to set up a 3-2 triumph
for Australia.
1993
First Round. Against the old foe, USA, Wally Masur and Mark
Woodforde won the first-day singles, then Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge
clinched victory in doubles.
2006
Second Round. Lleyton Hewitt, Chris Guccione, Wayne Arthurs and
Paul Hanley defeat Belarus 5-0 in the first tie played at Kooyong on
rebound ace.
All the above ties were played on grass except 2006.
(Thanks to Alan Trengove and Norman Marshall for their research
contribution) |
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