AKA John Albert Kramer

Born: 1-Aug-1921
Birthplace: Las Vegas, NV
Died: 12-Sep-2009
Location of death: Los Angeles, CA
Cause of death: Cancer - unspecified

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Tennis

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Winner of 10 Grand Slam titles

Military service: US Coast Guard (WWII)

Jack Kramer attracted attention when at a record low age 18 he and fellow American Joe Hunt clenched the title for men's doubles in the 1939 Davis Cup. World War II delayed his career, although both he and Hunt received permission to participate in the 1943 US Open Championship, Kramer losing to Hunt in the final. Hunt was killed during the war, but Kramer went on to win two other singles Grand Slam titles, six doubles titles, and one mixed doubles title. Increasing arthritis brought about his retirement in 1954. Kramer was perhaps more influential behind the scenes, where he was instrumental in architecting the "Grand Prix" system of tournaments leading up to one of the four major tournaments. This system persisted from 1970 until 1990, when it was replaced by the ATP Tour system. He also played a key role in the 1972 founding of the Association of Tennis Professionals, from which that tour arose. As Executive Director in 1973 he led the successful boycott of Wimbledon, the fruits of which were that players were freed from the clutches of the national associations.

Wife: Gloria (d. 2008, five sons)
Son: Bob
Son: David
Son: John
Son: Michael
Son: Ron

    University: Rollins College

    Winner, US Open (men's doubles) 1940
    Winner, US Open (men's doubles) 1941
    Winner, US Open (mixed doubles) 1941
    Winner, US Open (men's doubles) 1943
    Winner, US Open (men's singles) 1946
    Winner, Wimbledon (men's doubles) 1946
    Winner, US Open (men's singles) 1947
    Winner, US Open (men's doubles) 1947
    Winner, Wimbledon (men's singles) 1947
    Winner, Wimbledon (men's doubles) 1947
    Association of Tennis Professionals Co-Founder (1972)
    International Tennis Hall of Fame 1968
    Risk Factors: Arthritis

Author of books:
The Game: My 40 Years in Tennis (1979, memoir)

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