FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2009
In lieu of flowers, 501(c) (3) charitable contributions may be made in honor of Jack Kramer, as follows:
Pacific Southwest Youth Tennis Foundation
Los Angeles Tennis Center
Post Office Box 240015
Los Angeles, California 90024-9115
LOS ANGELES – Jack Kramer passed away at the age of 88 on Saturday night at his home surrounded by his family. A legendary tennis player and force on the business side of the game for half a century, Kramer died peacefully in his sleep after a battle with cancer.
“Dad lived life to the fullest right until the end, including recent trips Del Mar for the annual summer thoroughbred meeting there,” said Bob Kramer, one of Jack’s five sons and the Tournament Director at the LA Tennis Open. “He continued to be active with the SCTA, followed the professional tennis scene closely, and spent many happy moments together with his children, grandchildren and close friends in Los Angeles.“
Born in Las Vegas on August 1, 1921, Jack Kramer played a serve-and-volley style and claimed singles titles at Wimbledon in 1947 at the U.S. Championships (now called the US Open) in 1946 and 1947. In addition, he won two doubles titles at Wimbledon, and five at the U.S. Championships, including one in mixed doubles. He also represented the United States in several Davis Cup ties and played key roles on the victorious US teams in 1946 and 1947.
Kramer was 48-1 as an amateur in 1947, and then turned professional, playing a series of matches during barnstorming tours across the country against the best players of the era, including Don Budge, Bobby Riggs, Pancho Gonzalez, Frank Sedgman and Pancho Segura. He was the world’s professional champion from 1948 until 1954, and in 1968, he was enshrined at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I.
After his playing career, Kramer was instrumental in the development of the Grand Prix for the men’s pro game, and later in the formation of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). More than 30 million Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph tennis racquets bearing his name were sold worldwide, and was one of the top selling sporting good articles ever.
Since the late 1940s, the Kramer family has worked with the Southern California Tennis Association to put on the LA Tennis Open Presented by Farmers Insurance Group. For five years, the ATP World Tour event was called the Jack Kramer Open. The tournament is now run by Jack’s son, Bob.
The final tennis match Jack attended was an exhibition this summer between Pete Sampras, one of his favorite players, and Marat Safin at the LA Tennis Open.
Jack is survived by his five sons and nine grandchildren. His wife, Gloria, passed away in 2008. Memorial plans are still being arranged.
CONTACTS:
Pete Holtermann: HolterMedia@gmail.com or 310-990-0805
Bob Kramer: bobk@scta.usta.com or 310-824-1010, ext 230