Vivian McGrath

Vivian McGrath

McGrath in 1935.
Full name	Vivian Erzerum Bede McGrath
Country (sports)	Australia
Born	17 February 1916 Merrendee, NSW, Australia
Died	9 April 1978 (aged 62) Burradoo, NSW, Australia
Turned pro	Slam debut in 1932
Retired	1950s
Plays	Right-handed (2-handed both sides)
Singles
Highest ranking	No. 8 (1935, A. Wallis Myers)[1]
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open	W (1937)
French Open	QF (1935)
Wimbledon	QF (1935, 1937)
US Open	4R (1933)
Doubles
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open	W (1935)
French Open	F (1933, 1934, 1935)

Vivian Erzerum Bede "Viv" McGrath (17 February 1916 – 9 April 1978) was an Australian tennis champion of the 1930s. Along with John Bromwich, he was one of the first great players to use a two-handed backhand. His name was pronounced "McGraw".

Biography

He was born in Merrendee, near Mudgee, New South Wales, the fourth child of native Australian parents. His father was a hotelkeeper. He went to Sydney Boys High School, graduating in 1932,^[2] where he played tennis and cricket.

Christian Boussus (left) and Vivian McGrath (center) enter the center court of the White City Stadium in Sydney, Australia in November 1934

He won the Australian junior singles in 1932 and the French junior singles in 1933. He was a member of the Australian Davis Cup team from 1933 to 1937. He won the Australian Open doubles championship with his friend Jack Crawford in 1935. In 1937, he won the Australian Open singles title against John Bromwich. McGrath was ranked World No. 8 in 1935 by A. Wallis Myers of The Daily Telegraph.^[1]

World War II interrupted his career, and he served in the Air Force. He was granted leave to play exhibition games against American servicemen.

After the War, he never regained his form and was plagued by injuries. He eventually became a coach in the southern highlands and pursued his interest in horse racing. He died in Burradoo, New South Wales of heart disease.

Grand Slam finals

Singles: (1 title)

Outcome	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Winner	1937	Australian Championships	Grass	John Bromwich	6–3, 1–6, 6–0, 2–6, 6–1

Doubles: (1 title, 5 runners-up)

Outcome	Year	Championship	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Runner-up	1933	French Championships	Clay	Adrian Quist	Pat Hughes Fred Perry	2–6, 4–6, 6–2, 5–7
Runner-up	1934	French Championships	Clay	Jack Crawford	Jean Borotra Jacques Brugnon	9–11, 3–6, 6–2, 6–4, 7–9
Winner	1935	Australian Championships	Grass	Jack Crawford	Patrick Hughes Fred Perry	6–4, 8–6, 6–2
Runner-up	1935	French Championships	Clay	Donald Turnbull	Jack Crawford Adrian Quist	1–6, 4–6, 2–6
Runner-up	1936	Australian Championships	Grass	Jack Crawford	Adrian Quist Donald Turnbull	8–6, 2–6, 1–6, 6–3, 2–6
Runner-up	1940	Australian Championships	Grass	Jack Crawford	John Bromwich Adrian Quist	3–5, 5–7, 1–6

References

1. "Moody, Perry Rated Tops By British Expert", Reading Eagle, 17 October 1935.
2. "Australian Sporting Representatives" (pdf). www.shsobu.org.au. Sydney High School Old Boys Union.

External links

• Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB) – McGrath, Vivian Erzerum Bede (1916–1978)
• Vivian McGrath at the Davis Cup
• Vivian McGrath at the International Tennis Federation