Vivian McGrath

Vivian Erzerum Bede "Viv" McGrath (17 February 1916 – 9 April 1978) was a tennis champion from Australia. Along with John Bromwich, he was one of the early great players to use a two-handed backhand. His name was pronounced "McGraw".

Vivian McGrath
McGrath in 1935.
Full nameVivian Erzerum Bede McGrath
Country (sports) Australia
Born(1916-02-17)17 February 1916
Merrendee, NSW, Australia
Died9 April 1978(1978-04-09) (aged 62)
Burradoo, NSW, Australia
Turned proSlam debut in 1932
Retired1950s
PlaysRight-handed (2-handed both sides)
Singles
Highest rankingNo. 8 (1935, A. Wallis Myers)[1]
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian OpenW (1937)
French OpenQF (1935)
WimbledonQF (1935, 1937)
US Open4R (1933)
Doubles
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian OpenW (1935)
French OpenF (1933, 1934, 1935)

Biography

He was born in Merrendee, near Mudgee, New South Wales, the fourth child of native Australian parents. His father was a hotelkeeper. He went to Sydney Boys High School, graduating in 1932,[2] where he played tennis and cricket. He began playing tennis against a brick walk at his home.[3]

Christian Boussus (left) and Vivian McGrath (center) enter the center court of the White City Stadium in Sydney, Australia in November 1934

He won the Australian junior singles in 1932 and the French junior singles in 1933. He was a member of the Australian Davis Cup team from 1933 to 1937. He won the Australian Open doubles championship with his friend Jack Crawford in 1935. In 1937, he won the Australian Open singles title against John Bromwich. McGrath was ranked World No. 8 in 1935 by A. Wallis Myers of The Daily Telegraph.[1]

World War II interrupted his career, and he served in the Air Force. He was granted leave to play exhibition games against American servicemen.

After the war, he never regained his form and was plagued by injuries. He eventually became a coach in the southern highlands and pursued his interest in horse racing. He died in Burradoo, New South Wales of heart disease.

Grand Slam finals

Singles: (1 title)
Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Win1937Australian ChampionshipsGrass John Bromwich6–3, 1–6, 6–0, 2–6, 6–1

Doubles: (1 title, 5 runners-up)
Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss1933French ChampionshipsClay Adrian Quist Pat Hughes
Fred Perry		2–6, 4–6, 6–2, 5–7
Loss1934French ChampionshipsClay Jack Crawford Jean Borotra
Jacques Brugnon		9–11, 3–6, 6–2, 6–4, 7–9
Win1935Australian ChampionshipsGrass Jack Crawford Patrick Hughes
Fred Perry		6–4, 8–6, 6–2
Loss1935French ChampionshipsClay Donald Turnbull Jack Crawford
Adrian Quist		1–6, 4–6, 2–6
Loss1936Australian ChampionshipsGrass Jack Crawford Adrian Quist
Donald Turnbull		8–6, 2–6, 1–6, 6–3, 2–6
Loss1940Australian ChampionshipsGrass Jack Crawford John Bromwich
Adrian Quist		3–5, 5–7, 1–6

References
  1. "Moody, Perry Rated Tops By British Expert", Reading Eagle, 17 October 1935.
  2. "Australian Sporting Representatives" (pdf). www.shsobu.org.au. Sydney High School Old Boys Union.
  3. "Vivian McGrath". www.tennis.co.nf.


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