Harry Hopman

Henry Christian Hopman was a highly influential Australian tennis player and coach.

He was born on August 12, 1906, in Glebe, Sydney. His father, John Henry Hopman, served as a schoolmaster. Harry's passion for tennis began at age 13. He once won an open singles tournament while playing barefoot. This match took place on a court in the Rosehill Public School playground. He later attended Parramatta High School, where he played both tennis and cricket.

As a competitive athlete, Hopman achieved significant success in Grand Slam tournaments. He reached several major finals across different surfaces, including grass and clay. In 1929, he won the Australian Championships in men's doubles.

He also excelled in mixed doubles competitions. Alongside his first wife, Nell Hall, he won four mixed doubles titles. These victories occurred between 1930 and 1939. His career included three singles finals at the Australian Championships.

Hopman transitioned from playing to a legendary coaching career. He served as the captain-coach for 22 Australian Davis Cup teams. This leadership role lasted from 1939 until 1967. Under his guidance, the Australian team won the Davis Cup 16 times. This remains an unmatched record in the sport. He managed many world-class players. These included Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, and John Newcombe. He also coached stars like Lew Hoad and Tony Roche.

Beyond the court, Hopman was a professional journalist. He joined the Melbourne Herald in 1933 as a sportswriter. He provided commentary on various sporting events. After World War II, journalism became his primary focus. However, he was eventually coaxed back into tennis coaching. He used his media influence to support amateur players. In 1951, he led a fundraising campaign for Frank Sedgman. This campaign raised enough money to purchase a petrol station. This allowed Sedgman to remain an amateur for one more year.

Hopman's relationship with professional tennis was complex. He was a strong opponent of the paid, professional game. He often fought for the importance of amateur status. However, he also sought opportunities within the professional system. Jack Kramer noted that Hopman tried to secure jobs in American professional tennis. Even while supporting amateurs, he worked with future professionals. He later moved to the United States in 1969. There, he coached at the Port Washington Tennis Academy. He mentored champions such as Vitas Gerulaitis and John McEnroe.

His personal life included two marriages. He married Nell Hall on March 19, 1934, at St Philip's Anglican Church. They competed together in several doubles finals. Nell passed away from an intracranial tumour in 1968. In 1971, he married Lucy Pope Fox. Together, they opened international tennis camps. They operated a camp in Treasure Island and Largo, Florida. They also established a camp in Bologna, Italy. His widow, Lucy, continued his connection to the sport by attending the Hopman Cup annually.

Hopman received many prestigious honors for his contributions to sport. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1951. In 1956, he was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1978. His lasting impact is recognized through the Hopman Cup tournament. This event was named specifically in his honor. He died of a heart attack on December 27, 1985.