<figure id="attachment_2928857" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2928857" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-2928857" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/c15e94d2-6748900.webp" alt="Neale Fraser" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2928857" class="wp-caption-text">Neale Fraser became Australia&#8217;s David Cup captain in 1970 and held the position for a record 24 years. (EPA Images pic)</figcaption></figure>
MELBOURNE: Australia&#8217;s long-serving Davis Cup captain Neale Fraser, who won three Grand Slam singles titles during the country&#8217;s golden era of tennis in the 1950s and 1960s, has died at 91.
A contemporary of Rod Laver, Lew Hoad and Roy Emerson, Fraser won Wimbledon in 1960 and back-to-back US national titles in 1959-60 along with 16 Grand Slam championships in men&#8217;s and mixed doubles.
A member of four victorious Davis Cup teams from 1959-62 under the charge of Harry Hopman, Fraser would go on to become captain of the team in 1970, holding the position for a record 24 years.
Fraser guided Australia to the Davis Cup titles in 1973, 1977, 1983 and 1986.
&#8220;I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear mate and fellow lefty, Neale Fraser,&#8221; Laver, his former Davis Cup teammate and 11-time Grand Slam champion, posted on X.
&#8220;He was a true gem in a golden era of Australian tennis legends – an incredible World No.1, a Grand Slam champion, and a Davis Cup icon.
&#8220;Neale bested me in 2 major finals, pushing me to become a better player.&#8221;
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, a member of Australia&#8217;s triumphant Davis Cup teams in 1983 and 1986, said Fraser was like a father to him.
&#8220;He just knew how to make you feel important and play your best.&#8221;
Fraser began playing tennis on the clay courts next door to his childhood home in Melbourne and built his game around a powerful serve.
In 1960, he beat Laver to claim the Wimbledon singles crown before sweeping the singles, men&#8217;s doubles and mixed doubles titles at the US nationals for a second year running.
&#8220;I could never think of anything better than representing your country,&#8221; Fraser had said in interviews.

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