The Life of Tony Trabert
Part 6

Mark Winters

The last US Open at Forrest Hills was 1977.

As my tennis writing assignments increased, I regularly attended the US Open. Whether it was at Forest Hills or at the National Tennis Center (before Billie Jean King's name was attached) in Flushing Meadow, I was able to spend time with Trabert and Pat Summerall. The last year the tournament was played at the Westside Tennis Club in 1977 offers some wonderful recollections.

Tony and Pat's friendship went beyond their time in the broadcast booth. On an afternoon during the first week of the tournament, I caught up with them just after they finished broadcasting a match, played on the 14,000 seat-center court. I had been watching the contest and Tony caught my eye as they were signing-off and signaled to meet them at the bottom of the stairs behind the booth.

Want to study the rest of this article?

Click Here to Subscribe!

Mark Winters has been a tennis journalist for 50 years. During that time, he has been a staff writer for Florida Tennis, Inside Tennis, Tennis Magazine, Tennis Life and Tennis Week. His freelance articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, and USA Today.

He has also contributed features to numerous other tennis and media outlets worldwide. Mark played on both the intercollegiate and professional levels. He coached college tennis and was a US Boys' Junior Davis Cup Team coach, working with Pete Sampras and Jim Courier among others.

Tennisplayer Forum
 forum
Let's Talk About this Article!

Share Your Thoughts with our Subscribers and Authors!

Click Here