Unique among other books on tennis, this guide to the best and most influential Jewish tennis players in the history of the sport includes features and biographies of the greatest players, stories of both break-out success and anti-Semitism, and the history of tennis in the Maccabiah Games. The book features information on the surprising number of former and current Jewish tennis players in the game, including a few very well-known players who have partial Jewish heritage. Beginning with the Italian Baron Umberto de Morpurgo in the 1920s, readers will meet a fascinating cast of internationally acclaimed Jewish players and learn their stories, including that of the best German player who was prevented from playing by the Nazis, the player who competed on both the men’s and women’s tour, the only fully Jewish player to rank number one in the world, and the player who was denied entry into a country to play a Women’s Tennis Association tournament—in the 21st century. This history also discusses the ways in which Jewish individuals have been instrumental behind the scenes, playing key roles in the growth of tennis into one of the world’s most popular sports. Sandra Harwitt is a freelance sportswriter who specializes in tennis. Over the course of her career, she has covered more than 70 Grand Slam tournaments for media outlets such as the Associated Press, ESPN.com, ESPNW.com, the Miami Herald , the New York Times , and Tennis magazine. She is a member of the International Tennis Writers’ Association and the Association for Women in Sports Media. She lives in Boca Raton, Florida. Sport of a Lifetime Enduring Personal Stories From Tennis By Judy Aydelott New Chapter Press Copyright © 2017 Judy Aydelott All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-937559-36-6 Contents INTRODUCTION, CHAPTER 1: FRED KOVALESKI, CHAPTER 2: GEORGE and LETTY BRIA, CHAPTER 3: GARDNAR MULLOY, CHAPTER 4: TONY FRANCO, CHAPTER 5: DAVID DINKINS, CHAPTER 6: HENRY TIBERIO, CHAPTER 7: KATRINA ADAMS, CHAPTER 8: DONNA FLOYD FALES, CHAPTER 9: BETTY EISENSTEIN, CHAPTER 10: FRAN MEEK, CHAPTER 11: JOHN POWLESS, CHAPTER 12: ROLF THUNG, CHAPTER 13: IM NELSON, CHAPTER 14: JOHN JAMES, CHAPTER 15: HARLAN STONE and JONATHAN BATES, CHAPTER 16: CHRIS and BILL DRAKE, CHAPTER 17: MAS and SUSAN KIMBALL, CHAPTER 18: THE SAW MILL BOYS, CHAPTER 19: BERNICE MYERS, CHAPTER 20: JULIE VERRONE, CHAPTER 21: DAN WSZOLEK, CHAPTER 22: TOM BRUNKOW, CHAPTER 23: TOMMIE WALKER, CHAPTER 24: CHUCK NIEMETH, CHAPTER 25: GREG TEBBE, CHAPTER 26: ROB LABRIOLA, CHAPTER 27: JOHN NEWCOMBE, ROY EMERSON, OWEN, DAVIDSON and COMPANY, CHAPTER 28: JUDY and GORDON AYDELOTT; JIMMY BIGGS, and GORDON AYDELOTT, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, CHAPTER 1 FRED KOVALESKI On a rainy New York City day the sidewalks were a sea of umbrellas obscuring the faces of the commuters. Annoying puddles had to be avoided, but that didn't bother me a bit. I was excited to meet with Fred Kovaleski, one of the top senior players for decades whose life stories are humorous, adventuresome, compelling and heartwarming all - the stuff of a good movie. I found his apartment building, got into the elevator, pressed '10' and as the door opened, Fred greeted me with a big smile and a kiss on my cheek. He led me into a living room filled with treasures from all over the world - silver pieces, beautifully carved furniture and contemporary art on all the walls, white sofas with colorful pillows and family photographs everywhere. "This is all Manya's doing," explained Fred as we surveyed the surroundings. "I'm sure. It looks like her - warm, sunny, elegant," I added. I first heard of Fred and his wife, Manya, during a Men's Century Doubles Tournament played some years ago at The Saw Mill Club in Mt. Kisco, New York. In excited whispers, spectators were saying, "Fred Kovaleski is playing ... and his beautiful Russian wife, Manya, is here." The Century Tournament at Saw Mill has been going on for years. Each doubles team must equal 100 years in age. Fred, then 67, was playing with Cliff Adler, a former Harvard varsity tennis player and top Eastern competitor. The team was seeded No. 1 and did not disappoint, winning in the final. The year was 1990. As I watched, I remember being impressed with Fred's strong, muscular legs, his quick feet, scorching forehand and blistering serve. Manya, I missed and didn't meet until an Atlantic Coast Cup Tournament in New England many years later. Fred was born on October 8, 1924, the fourth son - a daughter came later - of Polish immigrants in Hamtramck, Michigan, a Polish enclave almost completely surrounded by Detroit. His hero was his older brother, Charles, who was accepted by the U.S. Naval Academy by virtue of the Open Examination, a rare feat, and not by Congressional appointment. Charles joined the Air Wing, trained at Pensacola, Florida and served on the USS Yorktown as a Company Commander. Tragically, he was killed during a mission in the Pacific