Hank Irvine
Douglas "Hank" Irvine (born September 1, 1943) is a Rhodesian born American former professional tennis player.
| Full name | Douglas Irvine |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Rhodesia |
| Born | September 1, 1943 Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 12–18 |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1971) |
| US Open | 1R (1971) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 6–15 |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1971) |
| US Open | 2R (1970, 1971, 1972) |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | SF (1970) |
| US Open | QF (1971) |
Biography
Born in Bulawayo, Irvine was a student of Prince Edward School in Salisbury and played a variety of sports early in life. He was a world ranked squash player and also represented Rhodesia in field hockey. A school teacher by profession, he played in two Davis Cup ties for Rhodesia, against Sweden in 1968 and Spain in 1969.[1]
While competing on the professional tour in the early 1970s he made several appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open. He was a mixed doubles semi-finalist at the 1970 Wimbledon Championships, partnering Helen Gourlay of Australia. As a singles player he made the Wimbledon third round in 1971 and played a center court match at Wimbledon the following year against top seed and eventual champion Stan Smith.[2] In 1974 he won the singles title at the Rothmans Connaught Hard Court Championships played on clay at Chingford, Essex, England against John Clifton.
Irvine, who became an American citizen, had a noted career in platform tennis after leaving the professional tour and is a member of the sport's hall of fame.[3]
References
- Scannell, Nancy (February 14, 1977). "Irvine-FitzGibbon Triumph". Washington Post.
- Tupper, Fred (June 28, 1972). "Smith Advances in Straight Sets". The New York Times.
- "Irvine, Hank". Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame.