Frank Andrew Parker (born Franciszek Andrzej Pajkowski, January 31, 1916 – July 24, 1997) was an amateur & later professional American male tennis player of Polish immigrant parents who was active in the 1930s and 1940s. He won four Grand Slam singles titles as well as three doubles titles.
Parker was born on January 31, 1916, in Milwaukee as Franciszek Andrzej Pajkowski and had three brothers and a sister.[3] Franciszek changed his name to Frank Parker when the sports announcers couldn't pronounce his Polish name. He learnt to play tennis at age 10, hitting discarded tennis balls at the Milwaukee Town Club.[4] There he was discovered by the club coach Mercer Beasley who noticed his quickness and accuracy.[5] Aged 12, he won his first national title, the boys' indoor championship played at the Seventh Regiment Armory in New York.[3] At age 15, Paikowski become the national boys' champion in singles, defeating Gene Mako in the final, and a year later, at age 16, he won the national junior singles title as well as the singles title at the Canadian National Championships.[6][7] In 1933, when he was 17, he won the singles title at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships, defeating Gene Mako in the final in straight sets.[8][9] Following success in these championships, Frank earned the nickname "Boy Wonder of Tennis."
Career
Parker is one of the few Americans to win both the French Championships (1948, 1949) and the U.S. Championships (1944, 1945).[a][10]
Parker became the singles champion at Cincinnati, then called the Tri–State Tennis Tournament, in 1941 and was a four-time singles finalist (1932, 1933, 1938, 1939). He won the Canadian title in 1932 and again in 1938. He was ranked World No. 1 amateur in 1948 by John Olliff of The Daily Telegraph.[2]
Writing about Parker in his 1949 autobiography, Bobby Riggs, who had played Parker many times, stated "Parker is a tough man to get past. Equipped with a wonderful all-court game, he plays intently and with classic form. His footwork is marvelous. You never see Frankie hitting the ball from an awkward position."[11] In his autobiography, Jack Kramer wrote "even as a boy (Parker) had this wonderful, slightly overspin forehand drive. Clean and hard. Then for some reason, Frankie's coach, Mercer Beasley, decided to change this stroke into a chop. It was obscene." It impaired his game, particularly in preventing him from getting to the net, and Parker dropped in the rankings. A few years later, he worked hard to regain his original forehand, and according to Kramer, greatly improved his stroke, but it never was as good as it had once been.[12] Parker was known for having a "deadpan" persona on court.[13]
Parker took part in the 1968 US Open at the age of 52, becoming the oldest player to compete in the US Open men's singles.[14] He also had the longest span in Grand Slam men's singles history (36 years from his first appearance at the U.S. Championships in 1932 to his last appearance in 1968).[15]
Between 1937 and 1948, Parker took part in seven Davis Cup ties with the U.S. team and won the Davis Cup in 1937 and 1948.[16] He compiled a Davis Cup record of 12 wins and two losses.[17]
In October 1949, Parker signed a one-year contract with Bobby Riggs to become a professional tennis player.[18]
Parker was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island in 1966 and into the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.[19]
Personal life
On March 17, 1938, Parker married Audrey Beasley who previously divorced Parker's coach Mercer Beasley.[4][20] She became his adviser and tailored his tennis wardrobe.[4] His wife died in 1971, and in 1979, Parker retired from his position of salesman for a corrugated box company.[3][4]
Parker joined the professional tennis circuit in 1949 and as a consequence was banned from competing in the amateur Grand Slams until the start of the Open Era.
Key
W
F
SF
QF
#R
RR
Q#
DNQ
A
NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
^Other American players who have won singles titles at both the French and US Championshipba are Don Budge (1937), Don McNeill (1939-1940), Tony Trabert (1953-1954) and Andre Agassi (1994, 1999).
References
^ ab"Frank Parker: Career match record". thetennisbase.com. TennismemSL. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
^ abUnited States Lawn Tennis Association (1972). Official Encyclopedia of Tennis (First Edition), p. 426.
^ abcKenan Heise (July 25, 1997). "Wimbledon Doubles Titlist Frank Parker". Chicago Tribune.
^ abcdRichard Goldstein (July 28, 1997). "Frank Parker, U.S. Tennis Champion, 81". The New York Times.
^"Mercer Beasley". Sports Illustrated. July 29, 1957.
^"Frank Parker Wins National Boys' Tennis Title". The Milwaukee Journal. August 16, 1931.
^"Frankie Parker Seen As Future Davis Cup Hope". Berkeley Daily Gazette. July 7, 1933.
^"Parker Beats Mako for National Clay Court Title". The Milwaukee Journal. July 10, 1933. p. 4.
^"Polish Youth Tennis Champ". Spokane Daily Chronicle. July 10, 1933. p. 11.
^"Frank Parker Wins National Tennis Title". The Milwaukee Journal. September 5, 1944.
^Tennis Is My Racket, by Bobby Riggs, New York, 1949, page 58.
^The Game, My 40 Years in Tennis (1979), Jack Kramer with Frank Deford, page 48
frank, parker, tennis, frank, andrew, parker, born, franciszek, andrzej, pajkowski, january, 1916, july, 1997, amateur, later, professional, american, male, tennis, player, polish, immigrant, parents, active, 1930s, 1940s, four, grand, slam, singles, titles, w. Frank Andrew Parker born Franciszek Andrzej Pajkowski January 31 1916 July 24 1997 was an amateur amp later professional American male tennis player of Polish immigrant parents who was active in the 1930s and 1940s He won four Grand Slam singles titles as well as three doubles titles Frank ParkerParker circa 1946Full nameFrank Andrew ParkerCountry sports United StatesBorn 1916 01 31 January 31 1916Milwaukee Wisconsin U S DiedJuly 24 1997 1997 07 24 aged 81 San Diego California U S Turned proOctober 1949 amateur from 1930 Retired1971PlaysRight handed one handed backhand Int Tennis HoF1966 member page SinglesCareer record770 231 76 9 1 Career titles74 1 Highest rankingNo 1 1948 John Olliff 2 Grand Slam singles resultsFrench OpenW 1948 1949 WimbledonSF 1937 US OpenW 1944 1945 Professional majorsUS ProQF 1950 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 DoublesGrand Slam doubles resultsFrench OpenW 1949 WimbledonW 1949 US OpenW 1943 Team competitionsDavis CupW 1937 1948 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Grand Slam finals 4 1 Singles 4 titles 2 runner ups 4 2 Doubles 3 titles 2 runner ups 5 Performance timeline 6 Notes 7 References 7 1 Sources 8 External linksEarly life EditParker was born on January 31 1916 in Milwaukee as Franciszek Andrzej Pajkowski and had three brothers and a sister 3 Franciszek changed his name to Frank Parker when the sports announcers couldn t pronounce his Polish name He learnt to play tennis at age 10 hitting discarded tennis balls at the Milwaukee Town Club 4 There he was discovered by the club coach Mercer Beasley who noticed his quickness and accuracy 5 Aged 12 he won his first national title the boys indoor championship played at the Seventh Regiment Armory in New York 3 At age 15 Paikowski become the national boys champion in singles defeating Gene Mako in the final and a year later at age 16 he won the national junior singles title as well as the singles title at the Canadian National Championships 6 7 In 1933 when he was 17 he won the singles title at the U S Men s Clay Court Championships defeating Gene Mako in the final in straight sets 8 9 Following success in these championships Frank earned the nickname Boy Wonder of Tennis Career EditParker is one of the few Americans to win both the French Championships 1948 1949 and the U S Championships 1944 1945 a 10 Parker became the singles champion at Cincinnati then called the Tri State Tennis Tournament in 1941 and was a four time singles finalist 1932 1933 1938 1939 He won the Canadian title in 1932 and again in 1938 He was ranked World No 1 amateur in 1948 by John Olliff of The Daily Telegraph 2 Writing about Parker in his 1949 autobiography Bobby Riggs who had played Parker many times stated Parker is a tough man to get past Equipped with a wonderful all court game he plays intently and with classic form His footwork is marvelous You never see Frankie hitting the ball from an awkward position 11 In his autobiography Jack Kramer wrote even as a boy Parker had this wonderful slightly overspin forehand drive Clean and hard Then for some reason Frankie s coach Mercer Beasley decided to change this stroke into a chop It was obscene It impaired his game particularly in preventing him from getting to the net and Parker dropped in the rankings A few years later he worked hard to regain his original forehand and according to Kramer greatly improved his stroke but it never was as good as it had once been 12 Parker was known for having a deadpan persona on court 13 Parker took part in the 1968 US Open at the age of 52 becoming the oldest player to compete in the US Open men s singles 14 He also had the longest span in Grand Slam men s singles history 36 years from his first appearance at the U S Championships in 1932 to his last appearance in 1968 15 Between 1937 and 1948 Parker took part in seven Davis Cup ties with the U S team and won the Davis Cup in 1937 and 1948 16 He compiled a Davis Cup record of 12 wins and two losses 17 In October 1949 Parker signed a one year contract with Bobby Riggs to become a professional tennis player 18 Parker was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1960 Parker was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport Rhode Island in 1966 and into the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 19 Personal life EditOn March 17 1938 Parker married Audrey Beasley who previously divorced Parker s coach Mercer Beasley 4 20 She became his adviser and tailored his tennis wardrobe 4 His wife died in 1971 and in 1979 Parker retired from his position of salesman for a corrugated box company 3 4 Grand Slam finals EditSingles 4 titles 2 runner ups Edit Result Year Championship Surface Opponent ScoreLoss 1942 U S Championships Grass Ted Schroeder 6 8 5 7 6 3 6 4 2 6Win 1944 U S Championships Grass William Talbert 6 4 3 6 6 3 6 3Win 1945 U S Championships Grass William Talbert 14 12 6 1 6 2Loss 1947 U S Championships Grass Jack Kramer 6 4 6 2 1 6 0 6 3 6Win 1948 French Championships Clay Jaroslav Drobny 6 4 7 5 5 7 8 6Win 1949 French Championships Clay Budge Patty 6 3 1 6 6 1 6 4Doubles 3 titles 2 runner ups Edit Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents ScoreLoss 1933 U S Championships Grass Frank Shields George Lott Lester Stoefen 13 11 7 9 7 9 3 6Win 1943 U S Championships Grass Jack Kramer Bill Talbert David Freeman 7 5 8 6 3 6 6 1Loss 1948 U S Championships Grass Ted Schroeder Gardnar Mulloy Bill Talbert 6 1 7 9 3 6 6 3 7 9Win 1949 French Championships Clay Pancho Gonzales Eustace Fannin Eric Sturgess 6 3 8 6 5 7 6 3Win 1949 Wimbledon Grass Pancho Gonzales Gardnar Mulloy Ted Schroeder 6 4 6 4 6 2Performance timeline EditParker joined the professional tennis circuit in 1949 and as a consequence was banned from competing in the amateur Grand Slams until the start of the Open Era Key W F SF QF R RR Q DNQ A NH W winner F finalist SF semifinalist QF quarterfinalist R rounds 4 3 2 1 RR round robin stage Q qualification round DNQ did not qualify A absent NH not held SR strike rate events won competed W L win loss record A 1 set matches in preliminary rounds 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1967 1968 SR W L Win Grand Slam tournaments 4 24 86 20 81 1Australian Open A A A A A A A A A Not held A A A A Not eligible 0 0 0 0 French Open A A A A A A A A Not held A A W W Not eligible A 2 2 12 0 100Wimbledon A A A A A SF A A Not held A A 4R QF Not eligible A 0 3 12 3 80 0US Open 3R 3R QF 4R SF SF 4R 4R QF QF F QF W W QF F QF SF Not eligible 2R 2 19 62 17 78 5Pro Slam tournaments 0 9 3 13 18 8U S Pro A A A A A A A A A A A A NH A A A A A QF QF 5th A A A A QF QF QF QF QF QF A A NH 0 9 3 13 18 8French Pro A NH A A A A A A Not held A NH A A A A A NH 0 0 0 0 Wembley Pro NH NH A A NH A NH A Not held A A A A A NH NH A A A A A A A NH 0 0 0 0 Win loss 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 4 1 10 2 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 5 1 2 1 5 0 5 0 4 1 6 1 12 2 14 2 1 1 1 6 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 4 33 89 33 73 0Notes Edit Other American players who have won singles titles at both the French and US Championshipba are Don Budge 1937 Don McNeill 1939 1940 Tony Trabert 1953 1954 and Andre Agassi 1994 1999 References Edit a b Frank Parker Career match record thetennisbase com TennismemSL Retrieved November 7 2017 a b United States Lawn Tennis Association 1972 Official Encyclopedia of Tennis First Edition p 426 a b c Kenan Heise July 25 1997 Wimbledon Doubles Titlist Frank Parker Chicago Tribune a b c d Richard Goldstein July 28 1997 Frank Parker U S Tennis Champion 81 The New York Times Mercer Beasley Sports Illustrated July 29 1957 Frank Parker Wins National Boys Tennis Title The Milwaukee Journal August 16 1931 Frankie Parker Seen As Future Davis Cup Hope Berkeley Daily Gazette July 7 1933 Parker Beats Mako for National Clay Court Title The Milwaukee Journal July 10 1933 p 4 Polish Youth Tennis Champ Spokane Daily Chronicle July 10 1933 p 11 Frank Parker Wins National Tennis Title The Milwaukee Journal September 5 1944 Tennis Is My Racket by Bobby Riggs New York 1949 page 58 The Game My 40 Years in Tennis 1979 Jack Kramer with Frank Deford page 48 Frank Parker www tennis co nf Frank Parker Early Tennis Professional Dies at Age 81 Los Angeles Times July 26 1997 Grand Slam Tennis Statistics www tennis co nf Archived from the original on June 17 2019 Retrieved September 4 2017 Critics Agree That Frank Parker Exhibited Nearly Perfect Tennis The Milwaukee Journal July 28 1937 Davis Cup Player profile International Tennis Federation ITF Frank Parker Abandons Amateur Tennis Career Star News October 17 1949 Inductees Frank Parker National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Archived from the original on October 21 2013 Net Start Ex Wife Of Coach Married Berkeley Daily Gazette March 17 1938 p 9 Sources Edit Tennis Is My Racket by Bobby Riggs New York 1949 The Game My 40 Years in Tennis Jack Kramer with Frank Deford New York 1979 How to Play Tennis by Mercer Beasley 1935 Frank Parker Champion in the Golden Age of Tennis by Cynthia Beardsley 2002External links EditFrank Parker at the International Tennis Hall of Fame Frank Parker at the Association of Tennis Professionals Frank Parker at the Davis Cup Frank Parker at the International Tennis Federation Portal Tennis Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Frank Parker tennis amp oldid 1151417907, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
