Andres Gimeno

It is our sad duty to report that Andres Gimeno, great gentleman, and great ambassador of the values that the International Club promotes, honorary member of the IC of Spain and the first professional player of our country, passed away on Wednesday 9^th October after a long battle with illness. 

Having lived a life dedicated to tennis, he participated in tennis events in all different categories from a young age. A member of the Davis Cup Spanish team from 1958-60, 1972 and 1973 he accumulated a 23-10 win/loss record in the competition and was considered a national hero.  After winning the Trofeo Conde de Godó in his own club in Barcelona in 1960, he was recruited by Jack Kramer to join the professional tour.   He left for Australia to practice with the great legends Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and Pancho Gonzalez and with his great friend Lis Arilla.  Together they travelled through Paris, Rome, Cairo, Karachi, Calcutta, Bangkok and Perth. In 1968, following the split between the professional and amateur tours, Andres still had time to enjoy participating in the grand slams.  In 1969 he became the first Spanish player to reach the finals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Rod Laver.  He also reached two other Grand Slam semi-finals, losing to Ken Rosewall in five sets and to John Newcombe respectively.  But his most outstanding final was the momentous victory at the French Open against Patrick Proisy by 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1. 

In later life, Andres continued to play as a senior player, participating in the Potter Cup from 1982 to 1989. His great sporting achievements led him to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.