Dennis Ralston facts for kids
 |
|
| Full name | Richard Dennis Ralston |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  United States |
| Born | July 27, 1942 Bakersfield, California, US |
| Died | December 6, 2020 (aged 78) Austin, Texas, US |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Turned pro | 1967 (amateur from 1958) |
| Retired | 1977 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Int. Tennis HoF | 1987 (member page) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 576–251 (69.6%) |
| Career titles | 41 |
| Highest ranking | No. 5 (1966, Lance Tingay) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1970) |
| French Open | 4R (1966) |
| Wimbledon | F (1966) |
| US Open | SF (1960) |
| Professional majors | |
| US Pro | SF (1968) |
| Wembley Pro | QF (1967, 1968) |
| French Pro | 2R (1968) |
| Doubles | |
| Career titles | 3 (Open Era) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1971) |
| French Open | W (1966) |
| Wimbledon | W (1960) |
| US Open | W (1961, 1962, 1963) |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | F (1962, 1966) |
| US Open | F (1969) |
Richard Dennis Ralston (born July 27, 1942 – died December 6, 2020) was an amazing American professional tennis player. He played tennis during the 1960s and 1970s.
As a young player, Dennis was coached by the famous tennis pro Pancho Gonzales. He went to the University of Southern California (USC). There, he won championships with his team under coach George Toley. In 1964, he and his partner Bill Bond won the NCAA doubles title. Dennis was the top-ranked American player for three years in the 1960s. One expert, Lance Tingay, ranked him as high as world No. 5 in 1966.
His best result in a major singles tournament was in 1966. He reached the final of the Wimbledon Championships. He played against Manuel Santana but lost the match. After that year, he became a professional tennis player.
Dennis Ralston was part of a special group called the "Handsome Eight." These were the first players to join the professional World Championship Tennis tour. He won many titles, including 27 national doubles and singles championships. He also won five major doubles titles in Grand Slam tournaments.
Contents
Dennis Ralston and the Davis Cup
Dennis Ralston was a champion with the US Davis Cup team in 1963. The Davis Cup is a big international team competition in men's tennis. He continued to help the team as a coach from 1968 to 1971. Later, he became the team captain from 1972 to 1975. As captain, he led the US team to victory in 1972 against Romania.
Coaching Career and Recognition
After his playing career, Dennis Ralston became a successful coach. He coached the men's tennis team at Southern Methodist University (SMU). He coached there from 1981 to 1989 and again from 1991 to 1993. In 1983, he was named the NCAA Coach of the Year. That year, his SMU team finished second in the country.
Dennis Ralston's amazing career was recognized in 1987. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor for tennis players. In 2016, he was also inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame.
Grand Slam Achievements
Dennis Ralston had a fantastic career in Grand Slam tournaments. These are the four biggest tennis events each year.
Singles Success
Dennis reached the final of the Wimbledon Championships in 1966. This was his best singles result at a Grand Slam. He also reached the semifinals of the US Championships in 1960 and the Australian Open in 1970. He made it to the quarterfinals of the US Championships three times (1963, 1964, 1965) and the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 1968.
Doubles Championships
Dennis Ralston was especially strong in doubles. He won five Grand Slam doubles titles:
- Wimbledon Championships in 1960 with Rafael Osuna.
- US Championships in 1961 with Chuck McKinley.
- US Championships in 1963 with Chuck McKinley.
- US Championships in 1964 with Chuck McKinley.
- French Championships in 1966 with Clark Graebner.
He also reached the doubles finals four other times.
Mixed Doubles Finals
In mixed doubles, where a male and female player team up, Dennis reached four Grand Slam finals. He was a runner-up in the US Championships in 1961 and 1969. He also reached the mixed doubles finals at Wimbledon in 1962 and 1966.
See also
In Spanish: Dennis Ralston para niños
