Australian tennis great Mal Anderson, who became the first unseeded winner of the US Championships in 1957, has died at the age of 91. He received his trophy from then vice president Richard Nixon alongside women's champion Althea Gibson.
Anderson nearly added a second grand slam title in the Open Era when he defeated reigning Wimbledon champion John Newcombe en route to the 1972 Australian Open final. He lost to Ken Rosewall but later beat him in the 1973 NSW Open, joking about his revenge on a Tennis Australia podcast last year.
Anderson also won the doubles title with Newcombe at the 1973 Australian Open and contributed to Australia's Davis Cup triumph that year. He later mentored players including Pat Rafter, Scott Draper, Wally Masur and John Fitzgerald.
Rafter said he was “really sad” to learn of Anderson's death, describing him as a “true legend of the game” who helped shape his career. Fitzgerald and Masur recalled Anderson's demanding training sessions and his encouragement, while Draper called him “a joy to be around” and “humility personified”.
Anderson married Daphne Emerson, sister of Australian legend Roy Emerson, just weeks after his 1957 US Championships win. Roy was a groomsman at what was reported as the “tennis wedding of the year”.
