Fred Stolle, a celebrated Australian tennis star, passed away at the age of 86. Known for his impressive 19 Grand Slam titles in the 1960s, Stolle was a significant figure in tennis, not only as a player but also as a coach and broadcaster. He was part of a golden era for Australian tennis, earning the nickname 'Fiery Fred' due to his laid-back demeanor. Stolle had a challenging journey in singles, losing his first five major finals before ultimately triumphing at the 1965 French Championships, and later the U.S. Championships.
His cool approach to the game - and sluggishness in the mornings, after late nights drinking Foster's beer and partying with other tennis greats - earned him an ironic nickname: Fiery Fred, or just plain Fiery.
But in 1965, Mr. Stolle broke through at the French Championships. Playing on clay, his least favorite surface, he overcame a nightmarish first set in the finals at Roland Garros - the New York Times reported he made 26 errors - and won the next three sets to dispatch fellow Australian Tony Roche.
The next year, Mr. Stolle won his second major singles title at the U.S. Championships, now the U.S. Open. Going into the tournament, he was dismayed to learn that he was unseeded, in an apparent oversight by administrators at Forest Hills.
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