The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced the death of Italy’s all-time tennis star Nicola Pietrangeli at the age of 92 on Monday, December 1st. Before Jannik Sinner, Pietrangeli was considered the greatest Italian tennis player of all time and is immortalized in Rome at the Foro Italico, venue of the Italian Championships, with the majestic court at the Foro Italico named after him.
The following is the biography of Pietrangeli written by the only tennis journalist and personality Bud Collins from his book “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” which you can purchase or download here: https://a.co/d/j1OVS0O
Nicola Pietrangeli was Mr. Davis Cup
Nicola “Nicky” Pietrangeli was Signor Davis Cup. This team competition appeared to be his private affair, although he won his only trophy away from home as Italy’s non-playing captain in 1976. Before that, as a player with a smooth touch, he was a two-time winner for the French – in 1959 over Ian Vermaak of South Africa, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1, and in 1960 over Luis Ayala of Chile, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6. 6-3 – he had made his name synonymous with Italy. He made it to Davis Cup by playing
(164) and won (120) matches, more than anyone before or since during his Cup career from 1954 to 1972. In 66 series for his country, he recorded a record of 78-32 in singles and 42-12 in doubles.
He twice led Italy to the Cup challenge round, in 1960 and 1961, albeit on foreign turf in Australia and during the reign of the Australian powerhouses. He and his 1.90 meter tall accomplice Orlando Sirola couldn’t get any closer to the trophy than through a good performance. But to get there in 1960, they won one of Italy’s greatest victories in the semi-final in Perth, 3-2 after trailing 2-0 over the USA. Despite their discomfort on grass, Pietrangeli – he had lost eight match points in defeat to Barry MacKay (8-6, 3-6, 8-10, 8-6, 13-11) – and Sirola, perhaps the best doubles team to emerge in post-World War II Europe, fought back, beating Chuck McKinley and Butch Buchholz 3-6, 10-8, 6-4, 13-11 – apparently just to prolong their misery. But Pietrangeli stopped Buchholz 6-1, 6-2, 6-8, 3-6, 6-4, and Sirola beat MacKay 9-7, 6-3, 8-6.
Pietrangeli was too much for the USA in the following semi-final in Rome when he defeated Whitney Reed (2:6, 6:8, 6:4, 6:4, 6:4) and Jack Douglas (9:7, 6:3, 6:2) and also scored another triumphant 4-1 win with Sirola. But in the two finals, only Pietrangeli’s meaningless third-day win against Neale Fraser was salvaged as Australia won 5-0 and 4-1 respectively.
All-round performer
The 1.70 meter tall Nicky was solidly built and had an exceptional instinct for play and anticipation. He was an all-rounder who moved with grace and purpose. He took part in four French finals, losing to Manolo Santana in 1961 and 1964, and four Italian finals, defeating his compatriot Beppe Merlo 8-6, 6-2, 6-4 in 1957 and Rod Laver 6-8, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in 1961. 4-6, 6-3, 8-10, 6-2, 6-4. His career was marked by the amateur era, in which he won 53 singles titles and was in the world’s top 10 five times between 1957 and 1964, reaching No. 3 in 1959 and 1960. After retiring from the playing field, he captained Italy to the cup rounds twice, beating Chile in 1976 but losing to Australia in 1977.
A right-hander, born on September 11, 1933 in Tunis, he is a connoisseur who is always popular with fans and colleagues. He and Sirola were the biggest winners of the Cup doubles teams at 34-8.
MOST IMPORTANT TITLES (4) – French Singles, 1959, 1960; French doubles, 1959; French mixed, 1958.
DAVIS CUP—1954-55-56-57-58-59-60-61-62-63-64-65-66-67-68-69,71-72, 78-32 singles, 42-12 doubles.
Single record in majors– Australian (2-1), French (46-12), Wimbledon (29-18), USA. (5-3).