Philippe Washer facts for kids
_real.jpg)
Washer in 1950
|
|
| Country (sports) |  Belgium |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 August 1924 Brussels, Belgium |
| Died | 27 November 2015 (aged 91) Knokke, West Flanders, Belgium |
| Turned pro | 1940 (amateur tour) |
| Retired | 1961 |
| Singles | |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| French Open | QF (1957) |
| Wimbledon | 4R (1948, 1949, 1954) |
| US Open | 4R (1952) |
| Doubles | |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | SF (1953) |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| French Open | SF (1954) |
| Wimbledon | 4R (1947, 1948, 1952) |
Philippe Washer (born August 6, 1924 – died November 27, 2015) was a famous Belgian tennis player. He played for his country in the important Davis Cup tournament many times, from 1946 until 1961.
Contents
Who Was Philippe Washer?
Philippe Washer was born in Brussels, Belgium, on August 6, 1924. He came from a family of talented people. His father, Jean Washer, was also a well-known Belgian tennis player. His mother's grandfather was Ernest Solvay, who started a big international chemical company.
Growing Up with Tennis
Philippe had three brothers: Paul, Jacques, and Edouard. They were also cousins with Olivier Gendebien, a famous race car driver. Philippe started playing tennis when he was just six years old. His father was his first coach, teaching him everything he knew.
First Big Win
Philippe won his very first tennis tournament on May 9, 1940. This was a special day, as it was just one day before the Battle of Belgium began. During this time, he even volunteered to join the Belgian Army. In 1942, he showed his talent by winning the French junior championships.
Philippe Washer's Tennis Career
Philippe Washer was a very successful tennis player in Belgium. He won the Belgian National Championships nine times! This was between 1945 and 1954. The only year he didn't win was 1950, when he had to stop playing because he was sick.
Playing for His Country
In 1957, Philippe helped the Belgium Davis Cup team reach the finals of the Davis Cup. This is a huge international tennis competition where countries play against each other. That same year, he also won the Lebanon international tennis championships.
Coming Back to Win More
Even after he stopped playing tennis professionally in 1961, Philippe still loved the game. In 1967, he came out of retirement to win the Belgian National Covered Courts Championship in doubles. He played with his partner, Jacky Brichant. He also won the Wimbledon Veterans' Doubles four times in a row, from 1968 to 1971, with Jaroslav Drobný.
Philippe Washer's Golf Career
Philippe Washer wasn't just good at tennis; he was also a talented golfer! In 1960, he chose to play in the Belgium Open golf championship instead of a Davis Cup tennis match.
Representing Belgium in Golf
Later in 1960, he played golf for a team called "Rest of Europe" against the "British Isles" in a tournament called the St Andrews Trophy. He also represented Belgium in the 1960 Eisenhower Trophy, which is a big amateur golf team championship. He played for Belgium again in the 1964 Eisenhower Trophy.
Life After Sports
Philippe Washer officially retired from tennis in 1961. He then moved to Switzerland. He stayed involved in sports by becoming the president of the Royal Léopold Club from 1983 to 1994. His family had actually helped save this club from financial trouble back in 1948.
A Helping Hand
In 1955, Philippe even lent his own special car, a Ferrari, to his cousin Olivier Gendebien. Olivier drove the car in a rally race and finished in third place! Philippe Washer passed away on November 27, 2015, at the age of 91.
