The ITF is saddened to learn of the death of one of Australia’s all-time tennis greats Neale Fraser AO MBE, who passed away on 2 December aged 91.

Fraser’s name will be forever associated with the Davis Cup, firstly as a player, then as Australia’s captain for a record 24 years, and finally as a member of the ITF Davis Cup Committee from 1995-2009. He was presented with the ITF’s honour, the Philippe Chatrier award, in 2008.

Fraser learned to play on the clay courts next door to his childhood home in Melbourne and developed a game built around a booming left-handed serve. Emerging during the golden era of Australian men’s tennis, he was initially unable to break into the Davis Cup team and lost three times in major singles finals. Fraser finally made a breakthrough in 1959, when he won all three US titles – singles, doubles and mixed – at Forest Hills and led Australia to victory in the Davis Cup. In 1960 Fraser defeated Rod Laver to claim the Wimbledon singles crown and then again swept the three titles in New York. He also captured 11 grand slam doubles titles and five mixed trophies.

After helping Australia claim four successive Davis Cup titles from 1959 to 1962, Fraser went on to achieve his greatest legacy as Australian Davis Cup Captain. Despite lucrative offers to turn professional, Fraser remained an amateur in the hope he would succeed the legendary Harry Hopman. That ambition was fulfilled in 1970, and he went on to hold the captaincy for a record 24 years from 1970 to 1993. He led Australia to four finals triumphs – in 1973, 1977, 1983 and 1986 – and recorded 55 wins from 75 ties played, all the while sitting courtside in his famous chair and terry towelling hat.

Hopman once called the competition “the Fraser Cup” as Fraser ushered in several generations of talent including future captains John Newcombe and John Fitzgerald and two-time Cup-winning hero Pat Cash. “He was like a father to me,” Cash reflected. “He just knew how to make you feel important and play your best.”

After stepping down as captain, Fraser maintained his involvement in the sport as a member of the ITF Davis Cup Committee for 14 years. He was also the centenary ambassador for the Davis Cup, and  the first recipient of the ITF and International Tennis Hall of Fame's Davis Cup Award of Excellence. In 2008, the ITF presented Fraser with its Philippe Chatrier Award for outstanding achievement in the sport.

Fraser was also honoured with an MBE in 1974, and an Order of Australia in 1988. He was chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame from 1997 until 2005. 

“To represent your country is the highest honour you can achieve, “ Fraser said. “Winning a million bucks, anyone can do that, but representing your country is the greatest. I think that the Davis Cup is the greatest international sporting trophy that’s competed for in the world.”

Fraser is survived by his wife Thea, and children and grandchildren.

Mark Woodforde: 'Such a sad day for world tennis'

Former Australian doubles tennis great Mark Woodforde reflects on the passing of his 'very first Davis Cup' captain:

Such a sad day for world tennis upon learning of the passing of Neale Fraser.

One of our great Australian Champions with titles in every discipline - world champion across singles, doubles and mixed.

In particular he was Mr Davis Cup, not just as a player but forever remembered as Captain.

‘Frase’ was my very first Davis Cup Captain who invited me as ‘orange boy’ in 1986, guided me through being a team member in 1987, and educated me through my first time playing singles against France in 1988.

His passion to represent your country in Davis Cup was inspiring to many of Australia’s greats……we all stood in the trenches for Frase.

My condolences to his family and in particular his dear wife Thea.

RIP.