Daniel Prenn facts for kids
Daniel Prenn (left) and Hans Moldenhauer
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| Country (sports) |  Poland (−1932) Weimar Republic (1932–33) United Kingdom (1940–) |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 September 1904 Vilna, Russian Empire |
| Died | 3 September 1991 (aged 86) Dorking, Great Britain |
| Turned pro | 1928 (amateur tour) |
| Retired | 1939 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
Quick facts for kids Singles |
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| Career record | 172-59 (74.4%) |
| Career titles | 10 |
| Highest ranking | No. 6 (1932, A. Wallis Myers) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| French Open | 4R (1930, 1933) |
| Wimbledon | 4R (1933, 1937) |
| Doubles | |
| Highest ranking | No. 7 (1934) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| French Open | QF (1934) |
| Wimbledon | SF (1934) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| French Open | QF (1930) |
| Wimbledon | F (1930) |
| Team competitions | |
| Davis Cup | F (1932) |
Daniel Prenn (born September 7, 1904 – died September 3, 1991) was an amazing athlete. He was a tennis player from Russia, Germany, Poland, and Great Britain. He was also Jewish. In 1932, he was ranked the world's 6th best tennis player. He was even ranked number 1 in Germany for four years! Daniel Prenn reached the finals of the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 1930. Sadly, in 1933, he was stopped from playing tennis in Germany because he was Jewish. He then moved to England and became a very successful businessman.
Contents
Daniel Prenn: A Tennis Star and Innovator
Early Life and Talents
Daniel Prenn was born in Vilna, Russia, on September 7, 1904. His father built railways. Daniel grew up mostly in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1920, his family moved to Berlin, Germany. They moved to escape unfair treatment against Jewish people.
Besides tennis, Daniel was also good at boxing and running. He studied engineering and earned a special degree in 1929.
From Table Tennis to Top Tennis
Before becoming a tennis star, Daniel Prenn played table tennis. He represented Germany in the 1926 World Table Tennis Championships in London. He did very well, reaching the fourth round in singles. He also made it to the quarterfinals in doubles.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 1928, Daniel Prenn won the German Open Tennis Championships. He became a German Club team champion in 1930. He played for the Rot-Weiss Tennis Club in Berlin. He won both of his doubles matches in the final.
In 1930, he lost to the famous player Bill Tilden in a final. But he teamed up with Heinrich Kleinschroth to win a doubles title in the Netherlands. In 1931, he won singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in Dresden.
Daniel Prenn was a top player for Germany. He was ranked 15th in 1925. By 1927, he was the fourth-best player. From 1928 to 1932, he was the number one tennis player in Germany! He also played well in the Davis Cup. He won 17 out of 22 matches from 1928 to 1932.
Facing Challenges and Moving On
In 1932, Daniel Prenn was a runner-up in Denmark. He also won a special medal for his success in the 1932 International Lawn Tennis Challenge.
However, in 1933, unfair rules stopped him from playing tennis in Germany because he was Jewish. He tried to play for Poland, but they said no. So, he moved to Great Britain. In 1935, he played for Great Britain in the 1935 Maccabiah Games.
After moving, he won many tournaments in 1933. These included championships in Scotland, England, and Paris. In 1934, he won a tournament in Dulwich, England. He continued to play well, even reaching a mixed doubles final in 1935.
Life After Tennis: Business Success
After moving to England, Daniel Prenn started his own company in 1932. His company, Truvox Engineering, made audio equipment. He was very smart and even had five patents for plastic molding. In 1969, he sold Truvox Engineering for a lot of money.
In 1970, he started another company called Celestion Electronics. This company made loudspeakers.
Family Legacy
Daniel Prenn had several children. His son, Oliver Prenn, born in 1939, became a Wimbledon Junior Champion. Oliver also played in the main Wimbledon competitions. He took over the family business in 1988.
Another son, John Allen Nicholas, was involved with the company Lacoste. He helped Celestion get involved in sponsoring tennis and squash racquets.
Daniel Prenn was recognized for his achievements. In 1981, he was added to the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
Major Tennis Achievements
Mixed Doubles Final
Daniel Prenn reached one major final in mixed doubles.
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1930 | Wimbledon | Grass |  Hilde Krahwinkel |
 Jack Crawford Elizabeth Ryan |
6–1, 6–3 |
