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Vitas Gerulaitis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American tennis player (1954–1994)

Vitas Gerulaitis
Gerulaitis in1978
Full nameVytautas Kevin Gerulaitis
Country (sports) United States
Born(1954-07-26)July 26, 1954
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 17, 1994(1994-09-17) (aged 40)
Southampton, New York, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Turned pro1971
Retired1986
PlaysRight-handed
(one-handed backhand)
Prize moneyUS$2,778,748
Singles
Career record535–232 (69.8%)
Career titles26
Highest rankingNo. 3 (February 27, 1978)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenW (1977Dec)
French OpenF (1980)
WimbledonSF (1977,1978)
US OpenF (1979)
Other tournaments
Tour FinalsF (1979,1981)
WCT FinalsW (1978)
Doubles
Career record164–123 (57.1%)
Career titles9
Highest rankingNo. 43 (May 20, 1985)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open1R (1983)
French OpenQF (1980)
WimbledonW (1975)
US Open3R (1972)

Vytautas "Vitas"Kevin Gerulaitis (July 26, 1954 – September 17, 1994) was an American professionaltennis player. He was ranked world No. 3 in men's singles by theAssociation of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in 1978. Gerulaitis won the men's singles title at theDecember 1977 Australian Open,[1] and the men's doubles title at the1975 Wimbledon Championships, partnering withSandy Mayer. Gerulaitis also won twoItalian Opens in1977 and1979, and the1978 WCT Finals.

Early life

[edit]

Born toLithuanian immigrant parents inBrooklyn,New York, Gerulaitis grew up inHoward Beach, Queens,[2] attendedArchbishop Molloy High School in Queens, and graduated in 1971. He attendedColumbia College ofColumbia University with the class of 1975 for one year, then dropped out to pursue tennis full-time.[3]

Gerulaitis was nicknamed "The Lithuanian Lion".[4] His younger sisterRuta was also a professional tennis player; both siblings' native language wasLithuanian.[5]

Career highlights

[edit]

Gerulaitis led thePittsburgh Triangles to theWorld TeamTennis championship title atPittsburgh'sCivic Arena in 1975. Gerulaitis played for the Triangles from 1974 until 1976. He also played for the league'sIndiana Loves franchise in 1977.

Gerulaitis was coached byFred Stolle from 1977 until 1983.

He also won the men's doubles title atWimbledon in 1975. He was a singles semifinalist at Wimbledon in both 1977 and 1978. In 1977 he lost a Wimbledon semifinal to his close friend and practice partner,Björn Borg, 6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 8–6, a match considered one of the greatest ever,[6] with journalist Curry Kirkpatrick stating shortly thereafter that it may have "been the finest ever played at Wimbledon".[7]

In December 1977, Gerulaitis won the most significant title of his career at theAustralian Open, when he defeatedJohn Lloyd in themen's singles final in five sets onNew Year's Eve, despite suffering from leg cramps in the last two sets.[8][1]

In 1978, Gerulaitis won the year-end championshipWCT Finals for theWorld Championship Tennis tour, beating Eddie Dibbs in straight sets. By 1978, he was the third-ranked men's singles player in the world.

Gerulaitis advanced to the men's singles finals at theUS Open in1979, but lost in straight sets to fellow New YorkerJohn McEnroe. He was a member of theU.S. team which won theDavis Cup in1979 and won two singles "rubbers" in the final, as the U.S. sweptItaly 5–0.

Gerulaitis reached his thirdGrand Slam singles final at theFrench Open in1980, but lost in straight sets to defending champion Borg.

In February1981, Gerulaitis won the star-ladenToronto Indoor invitational tournament, defeatingJimmy Connors in the semifinal and McEnroe in four sets in the final.[9] He lost in the 1981 Masters final againstIvan Lendl after leading 2 sets to 0 and match point.[10]

During his career, Gerulaitis won 25 top-level singles titles and eight doubles titles. His career-high singles ranking was world No. 3, which he reached on February 27, 1978.

Gerulaitis was known for his exceptionally quick hands at the net and his outstanding court coverage.[11]In 1985, Gerulaitis teamed withBobby Riggs to launch a challenge to female players after the famousBattle of the Sexes. The stunt, however, was short-lived when Gerulaitis and Riggs lost a doubles match againstMartina Navratilova andPam Shriver.[12]

He retired from the professional tour in 1986 and was a regular tennis commentator on theUSA network between 1988 and 1994.

Gerulaitis coachedPete Sampras during the1994 Italian Open in Rome, when Sampras' coach,Tim Gullikson, was on a family vacation. Sampras won the title by defeatingBoris Becker in the final in straight sets.

Death

[edit]

On September 17, 1994, while visiting a friend's home inSouthampton, New York, an improperly installedpropane heater for the swimming pool causedcarbon monoxide gas to seep into the guesthouse where Gerulaitis was sleeping, causing his death bycarbon monoxide poisoning. He failed to show up for a dinner at 7 p.m. that Saturday evening, and his body was found the following day by a maid who went to the guesthouse.[13][14][15] Gerulaitis' remains were interred inSaint Charles Cemetery inFarmingdale, New York.

Criminal charges of negligent homicide were later brought against the pool mechanic and the company he worked for. Both he and the company were acquitted in October 1996. Jurors heard testimony that a technician from the heater manufacturer had made adjustments several days before Gerulaitis' death and that even if an exhaust pipe had been longer, carbon monoxide (colorless and odorless) would have still been drawn into the air-conditioning vent because it is denser than air at low temperatures. Arthur M. Luxenberg, a lawyer for the Gerulaitis family, stated that Gerulaitis' mother and sister believed the verdict to be fair, and he went on to state that the testimony at the trial "confirmed to us what we always knew: that there were a lot of other people involved in this matter."[16]

The Gerulaitis family reached a confidential settlement with some of the defendants in their civil case by 2002.[17][18]

Grand Slam finals

[edit]

Singles: 3 (1 title, 2 runner-ups)

[edit]
ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1977Australian Open (Dec.)GrassUnited KingdomJohn Lloyd6–3, 7–6(7–4), 5–7, 3–6, 6–2
Loss1979US OpenHardUnited StatesJohn McEnroe5–7, 3–6, 3–6
Loss1980French OpenClaySwedenBjörn Borg4–6, 1–6, 2–6

Doubles: (1 title)

[edit]
ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1975WimbledonGrassUnited StatesSandy MayerRhodesiaColin Dowdeswell
AustraliaAllan Stone		7–5, 8–6, 6–4

Singles performance timeline

[edit]
Key
W F SFQF#RRRQ#DNQANH
(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.
Tournament1971197219731974197519761977197819791980198119821983198419851986SRW – L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open[a]AAAAAAAWAA1RAA2R2RANH1 / 46-3
French OpenAAAAAAAASFF1RQF1R2R1RA0 / 716–7
WimbledonAAA1R1RQFSFSF1R4R4RQF2R4R3RA0 / 1230–12
US Open1R2R1R2R2R4R4RSFF2RSF1R3R4R3RA0 / 1533–15
Win – Loss0–11–10–11–21–27–214–210–211–310–48–38–33–47–44–30–01/3885–37
Year-end championships
Masters Grand PrixAAAAAAAAFAFR16AR16AA0 / 46–6
WCT FinalsAAAAAASFWSFAAASFQFAA1 / 57–4
Win – Loss0–00–00–00–00–00–01–12–04–30–03–20–12–11–20–00–01 / 913–10
Career statistics
Tournaments played92015192018222219202122152244
Titles – Finals0–01–22–70–35–93–53–63–61–45–71–21–30–00–025–54
Overall Win – Loss7–933–1938–1331–1960–1646–1564–2052–1943–1961–1532–2034–2012–150–2510–221
Win %44%63%75%62%79%75%76%73%69%80%62%63%44%0%70%
Year-end ranking131471518454995201781799
  1. ^The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.

Career finals

[edit]

Singles: 56 (26 titles, 30 runner-ups)

[edit]
ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss1.Mar 1974Salt Lake City, USHard (i)United StatesJimmy Connors6–4, 6–7, 3–6
Win1.Nov 1974Vienna, AustriaHard (i)RhodesiaAndrew Pattison6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
Loss2.Jan 1975Philadelphia WCT, USCarpetUnited StatesMarty Riessen6–7(1–7), 7–5, 2–6, 7–6(7–0), 3–6
Loss3.Feb 1975Roanoke, USHard (i)United KingdomRoger Taylor6–7, 6–7
Loss4.Feb 1975Salisbury, USCarpetUnited States Jimmy Connors7–5, 5–7, 1–6, 6–3, 0–6
Win2.Mar 1975New York City, USCarpetUnited States Jimmy Connorswalkover
Loss5.Mar 1975Orlando WCT, USHardAustraliaRod Laver3–6, 4–6
Win3.Apr 1975St. Louis, USClayUnited StatesRoscoe Tanner2–6, 6–2, 6–3
Loss6.Sep 1975BermudaClayUnited States Jimmy Connors1–6, 4–6
Loss7.Jan 1976Indianapolis WCT, USCarpetUnited StatesArthur Ashe2–6, 7–6(8–6), 4–6
Loss8.Feb 1976Toronto Indoor WCT, CanadaCarpetSwedenBjörn Borg6–2, 3–6, 1–6
Loss9.Apr 1976Charlotte WCT, USCarpetAustraliaTony Roche3–6, 6–3, 1–6
Loss10.Feb 1977Richmond WCT, USCarpetNetherlandsTom Okker6–3, 3–6, 4–6
Win4.Feb 1977Ocean City, USHardUnited StatesRobert Lutz3–6, 6–1, 6–2
Loss11.Mar 1977Monterrey WCT, MexicoCarpetPolandWojciech Fibak4–6, 3–6
Loss12.Apr 1977London WCT, UKHard (i)United StatesEddie Dibbs6–7(2–7), 7–6(7–5), 4–6
Loss13.Apr 1977Houston WCT, USHardItalyAdriano Panatta6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3), 1–6
Win5.May 1977Rome, ItalyClayItalyTonino Zugarelli6–2, 7–6(7–2), 3–6, 7–6(7–5)
Win6.Oct 1977Brisbane, AustraliaGrassAustralia Tony Roche6–7, 6–1, 6–1, 7–5
Win7.Oct 1977Perth, AustraliaHardAustraliaGeoff Masters6–3, 6–4, 6–2
Win8.Dec 1977Australian Open, MelbourneGrassUnited KingdomJohn Lloyd6–3, 7–6(7–4), 5–7, 3–6, 6–2
Win9.Fev 1978Richmond WCT, USCarpetAustraliaJohn Newcombe6–3, 6–4
Loss14.Mar 1978Las Vegas, USHardSweden Björn Borg5–6(5–7), 6–5(7–5), 4–6, 5–6(4–7)
Loss15.Apr 1978Milan WCT, ItalyCarpetSweden Björn Borg3–6, 3–6
Win10.May 1978WCT Finals, USCarpetUnited States Eddie Dibbs6–3, 6–2, 6–1
Win11.Jul 1978Forest Hills, US –WCT InvitationalClayRomaniaIlie Năstase6–2, 6–0
Win12.Feb 1979Arkansas, Little Rock USCarpet (i)United StatesButch Walts6–2, 6–2
Loss16.Feb 1979Dorado Beach, Puerto RicoHardUnited States Jimmy Connors5–6, 0–6, 4–6
Loss17.Apr 1979Monte Carlo, MonacoClaySweden Björn Borg2–6, 1–6, 3–6
Win13.May 1979Rome, ItalyClayArgentinaGuillermo Vilas6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–0), 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 6–2
Win14.Jul 1979Kitzbühel, AustriaClayCzechoslovakiaPavel Složil6–2, 6–2, 6–4
Loss18.Sep 1979US Open, New YorkHardUnited StatesJohn McEnroe5–7, 3–6, 3–6
Win15.Oct 1979Sydney Indoor, AustraliaHard (i)Argentina Guillermo Vilas4–6, 6–3, 6–1, 7–6
Loss19.Jan 1980Masters, New YorkCarpetSweden Björn Borg2–6, 2–6
Loss20.Feb 1980Pepsi Grand Slam, Boca RatonClaySweden Björn Borg1–6, 7–5, 1–6
Win16.May 1980WCT Tournament of Champions, USClayUnited States John McEnroe2–6, 6–2, 6–0
Loss21.Jun 1980French Open, ParisClaySweden Björn Borg4–6, 1–6, 2–6
Win17.Jul 1980Stuttgart Outdoor, GermanyClayPolandWojciech Fibak6–2, 7–5, 6–2
Loss22.Oct 1980Sydney Indoor, AustraliaHard (i)United States John McEnroe3–6, 4–6
Win18.Oct 1980Melbourne Indoor, AustraliaCarpetAustraliaPeter McNamara7–5, 6–3
Loss23.Jan 1981Monterrey WCT, MexicoCarpetSouth AfricaJohan Kriek6–7, 6–3, 6–7
Loss24.Oct 1981Melbourne Indoor, AustraliaCarpetAustralia Peter McNamara6–4, 1–6, 5–5 retired
Win19.Nov 1981Johannesburg, South AfricaHardUnited StatesJeff Borowiak6–4, 7–6, 6–1
Loss25.Jan 1982Masters, New YorkCarpetCzechoslovakiaIvan Lendl7–6(7–5), 6–2, 6–7(6–8), 2–6, 4–6
Loss26.Feb 1982Genova WCT, ItalyCarpetCzechoslovakia Ivan Lendl7–6, 4–6, 4–6, 3–6
Win20.Mar 1982Brussels, BelgiumHard (i)SwedenMats Wilander4–6, 7–6, 6–2
Loss27.Apr 1982Zürich WCT, SwitzerlandCarpetUnited StatesBill Scanlon5–7, 6–7, 6–1, 6–0, 4–6
Win21.May 1982Florence, ItalyClaySwedenStefan Simonsson4–6, 6–3, 6–1
Win22.Aug 1982Toronto, CanadaHardCzechoslovakia Ivan Lendl4–6, 6–1, 6–3
Win23.Oct 1982Melbourne Indoor, AustraliaCarpetUnited StatesEliot Teltscher2–6, 6–2, 6–2
Win24.Nov 1982Johannesburg, South AfricaHardArgentina Guillermo Vilas7–6, 6–2, 4–6, 7–6
Loss28.May 1983Forest Hills WCT, USClayUnited States John McEnroe3–6, 5–7
Win25.Oct 1983Basel, SwitzerlandHard (i)PolandWojciech Fibak4–6, 6–1, 7–5, 5–5 retired
Loss29.Aug 1984Toronto, CanadaHardUnited States John McEnroe0–6, 3–6
Win26.Nov 1984Treviso, ItalyCarpetFranceTarik Benhabiles6–1, 6–1
Loss30.Nov 1984Johannesburg, South AfricaHardUnited States Eliot Teltscher3–6, 1–6, 6–7

Doubles: 21 (9–12)

[edit]
ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1.Jan 1974Roanoke, USCarpetUnited StatesSandy MayerNew ZealandIan Crookenden
New ZealandJeff Simpson		7–6, 6–1
Loss1.Feb 1974Little Rock, USCarpetSouth AfricaBob HewittWest GermanyJürgen Fassbender
West GermanyKarl Meiler		0–6, 2–6
Win2.Mar 1974Salt Lake City, USIndoorsUnited StatesJimmy ConnorsColombiaIván Molina
ColombiaJairo Velasco Sr.		2–6, 7–6, 7–5
Loss2.Nov 1974Oslo, NorwayIndoorUnited StatesJeff BorowiakWest Germany Karl Meiler
PakistanHaroon Rahim		3–6, 2–6
Win3.Feb 1975Roanoke, USCarpetUnited States Sandy MayerSpainJuan Gisbert
RomaniaIon Țiriac		7–6, 1–6, 6–3
Win4.Jul 1975Wimbledon, LondonGrassUnited States Sandy MayerUnited KingdomColin Dowdeswell
AustraliaAllan Stone		7–5, 8–6, 6–4
Loss3.Jan 1976Indianapolis WCT, USCarpetUnited StatesTom GormanUnited StatesRobert Lutz
United StatesStan Smith		2–6, 4–6
Win5.Feb 1976Boca Raton, USClayUnited StatesClark GraebnerUnited StatesBruce Manson
United StatesButch Walts		6–2, 6–4
Win6.Feb 1976Fort Worth WCT, USCarpetUnited States Sandy MayerUnited StatesEddie Dibbs
United StatesHarold Solomon		6–4, 7–5
Loss4.Apr 1976Charlotte WCT, USClayUnited StatesGene MayerAustraliaJohn Newcombe
AustraliaTony Roche		3–6, 5–7
Loss5.Aug 1976South Orange, USClayRomaniaIlie NăstaseUnited StatesFred McNair
United StatesMarty Riessen		5–7, 6–4, 2–6
Loss6.May 1977Masters Doubles WCT, New YorkCarpetItalyAdriano PanattaIndiaVijay Amritraj
United StatesDick Stockton		6–7, 6–7, 6–4, 3–6
Win7.Oct 1977Brisbane, AustraliaGrassUnited StatesBill ScanlonAustraliaMal Anderson
AustraliaKen Rosewall		7–6, 6–4
Win8.Jan 1978Birmingham WCT, USCarpetUnited States Sandy MayerSouth AfricaFrew McMillan
United States Dick Stockton		3–6, 6–1, 7–6
Loss7.Jan 1978Philadelphia WCT, USCarpetUnited States Sandy MayerSouth Africa Bob Hewitt
South Africa Frew McMillan		4–6, 4–6
Loss8.Feb 1978Richmond WCT, USCarpetUnited States Sandy MayerSouth Africa Bob Hewitt
South Africa Frew McMillan		3–6, 5–7
Win9.Feb 1979Arkansas, U.S.Hard (i)CzechoslovakiaVladimír ZedníkAustraliaPhil Dent
AustraliaColin Dibley		5–7, 6–3, 7–5
Loss9.Apr 1980Monte Carlo, MonacoClayUnited StatesJohn McEnroeItalyPaolo Bertolucci
Italy Adriano Panatta		2–6, 7–5, 3–6
Loss10.Dec 1980Sydney Outdoor, AustraliaGrassUnited StatesBrian GottfriedAustraliaPeter McNamara
AustraliaPaul McNamee		2–6, 4–6
Loss11.Apr 1981Frankfurt, GermanyCarpetUnited States John McEnroeUnited StatesBrian Teacher
United States Butch Walts		5–7, 7–6, 5–7
Loss12.Mar 1985Rotterdam, NetherlandsCarpetAustralia Paul McNameeCzechoslovakiaPavel Složil
CzechoslovakiaTomáš Šmíd		4–6, 4–6

Commemoration

[edit]

The Vitas Gerulaitis Memorial Tennis Centre was opened inVilnius, the capital ofLithuania.[19] Also, a street in Vilnius is named after him. The songAn Outbreak of Vitas Gerulaitis by Birkenhead bandHalf Man Half Biscuit, from their 1991 albumMcIntyre, Treadmore and Davitt also references the player, albeit obliquely.

In 2023, the book "Vitas Gerulaitis: Portrait of a Champion" was published, and in the text, both Jimmy Connors and Björn Borg said that if Gerulaitis was not inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, they both would consider rescinding their inductions.

Quote

[edit]

"And let that be a lesson to you all. Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row."[20]

–after defeating Jimmy Connors at the January 1980Masters.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ab"Painful victory for Gerulaitis".Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. January 1, 1978. p. D2.
  2. ^Sports of The Times; 'We've Lost Another of Our Kids',The New York Times, September 20, 1994. Accessed November 3, 2007.
  3. ^Sachare, Alex."Roar, Lion Roar: Spectator Heralds Columbia's Greatest Athletes".Columbia College Today. RetrievedSeptember 1, 2021.
  4. ^"Read 'em and Leap".People. November 19, 1979. RetrievedMay 14, 2008.
  5. ^Araton, Harvey (March 4, 2010)."In the court of the ultimate tennis playboy".The Independent. RetrievedNovember 12, 2018.
  6. ^"Classic Matches: Borg v Gerulaitis". May 31, 2004. RetrievedJune 19, 2024.
  7. ^Kirkpatrick, Curry (July 11, 1977)."Wimbledon Was Never Better".Sports Illustrated. RetrievedJune 19, 2024.
  8. ^"Painful victory fror Gerulaitis".The Spokesman-Review. January 1, 1978. RetrievedAugust 25, 2025.
  9. ^"Gerulaitis has ringside seat for McEnroe's net tantrums".Calgary Herald. Canadian Press. February 9, 1981. p. D7.
  10. ^"Lendl wins Volvo tennis crown".The Telegraph. January 18, 1982. RetrievedAugust 7, 2025.
  11. ^Finn, Robin (September 20, 1994)."Tennis Greats Call Gerulaitis A Friend First".The New York Times. RetrievedSeptember 5, 2008.
  12. ^Penner, Mike (August 24, 1985)."Navratilova, Shriver Swat Down Chauvinists".Los Angeles Times. RetrievedJanuary 17, 2023.
  13. ^"Gerulaitis, ex-tennis great, dies".Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. September 19, 1994. p. 2B.
  14. ^"Carbon monoxide killed Gerulaitis, investigators say".Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. September 20, 1994. p. 2D.
  15. ^Gerulaitis died of Carbon monoxide poisoning,Philly.com, September 20, 1994.
  16. ^Rather, John (October 5, 1996)."Acquittal In Death Of Gerulaitis".The New York Times. RetrievedOctober 3, 2018.
  17. ^Fried, Joseph P. (June 16, 2002)."Following Up".The New York Times. RetrievedMarch 1, 2021.
  18. ^"Gerulaitis v. Recreational Concepts".casetext.com. July 1, 2002. Archived fromthe original on February 17, 2023. RetrievedMarch 1, 2021.
  19. ^"GB's trip into the unknown". BBC News. September 23, 2009.
  20. ^"Roger Federer Unbuttoned".International Herald Tribune. July 9, 2009 – via The New York Times.

Video

[edit]
  • Wimbledon Classic Match: Gerulaitis vs Borg Standing Room Only, DVD Release Date: October 31, 2006, Run Time: 180 minutes,ASIN B000ICLR8O.

External links

[edit]
Awards
Preceded byATP Most Improved Player
1975		Succeeded by
Amateur Era
Open Era
Amateur Era
Open Era
International
National
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