Brian Fairlie facts for kids
| Country (sports) |  New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 June 1948 Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Turned pro | 1968 (amateur from 1966) |
| Retired | 1979 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 187–186 (Open era) |
| Career titles | 2 |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 3R (1976) |
| French Open | 4R (1977) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1977, 1978) |
| US Open | QF (1970) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 174–156 |
| Career titles | 4 |
| Highest ranking | No. 27 (30 August 1977) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | QF (1977Dec, 1978) |
| French Open | SF (1971) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1969, 1970, 1977) |
| US Open | 2R (1972) |
Brian Fairlie is a famous tennis player from New Zealand. He was born on June 13, 1948. He played tennis professionally from 1968 to 1979. During his career, he won four doubles titles. He won all of these with his partner, Ismail El Shafei from Egypt. Brian also won two singles titles during his professional career.
Contents
Brian Fairlie's Tennis Journey
Early Career and Junior Success
Brian was a very talented junior player. He won the Boys' Singles championship at the Australian Championships in 1967. This was a big achievement for him early in his tennis journey.
Professional Highlights
Brian had some great moments in major tennis tournaments, called Grand Slams. His best result in doubles was reaching the semi-finals at the French Open in 1971. He played with his partner, Frew McMillan. A year before that, in 1970, he made it to the singles quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. He played against Tony Roche in that match.
Brian was a top player in the world. His highest singles ranking was World No. 24 in September 1973. However, he was often ranked among the world's top 20 players in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In 1969, which was his first full year playing professionally, Brian caused a big upset. He beat John Newcombe, who was a former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion. This happened in the quarterfinals of the Heineken Open in Auckland, New Zealand. The crowd was very excited about this win! People lined up to watch him play his next match.
Brian also won the Midland RC International tournament in 1972. He reached the finals of this tournament again in 1975 and 1976. However, he lost both of those finals to another New Zealand player, Onny Parun.
In 1976, Brian played a unique match at the Australian Open. The combined age of Brian and his opponent, Frank Sedgman, made it one of the oldest matches in Grand Slam history. Their average age was almost 38 years old!
Brian won his second singles title in Manila, Philippines, in 1976. He played incredibly well in that tournament. He only lost one set during the entire event!
Playing for New Zealand: Davis Cup
Brian proudly represented New Zealand in the Davis Cup. This is a major international team competition in men's tennis. He played in 48 Davis Cup matches for his country. He played from 1966 all the way through 1979. He won 13 singles matches and 7 doubles matches for New Zealand.
Team Tennis
In 1974, a new tennis league called World Team Tennis started. Brian was part of one of the first teams, the Philadelphia Freedoms. His team had an amazing year, winning 39 matches and only losing 5. They had the best record in the league that year!
Brian Fairlie's Career Wins
Singles Titles
Brian Fairlie won two singles titles during his professional career. He also reached the finals four other times.
- Win – January 1973: London WCT, England (Hard court) – Beat Mark Cox (Great Britain)
- Win – November 1976: Manila, Philippines (Hard court) – Beat Ray Ruffels (Australia)
Doubles Titles
Brian Fairlie won four doubles titles. He also reached the finals 14 other times. All his doubles titles were won with his partner, Ismail El Shafei.
- Win – April 1974: St. Louis, U.S. (Clay court) – Partnered with Ismail El Shafei (Egypt)
- Win – October 1976: Sydney, Australia (Hard court) – Partnered with Ismail El Shafei (Egypt)
- Win – July 1977: Newport, U.S. (Grass court) – Partnered with Ismail El Shafei (Egypt)
- Win – March 1978: Cairo, Egypt (Clay court) – Partnered with Ismail El Shafei (Egypt)
