Fred Stolle dies at 86: Tributes to Australian tennis great

“His legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis.

“His impact on the sport will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions.”

Stolle was among the Australians – along with Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and John Newcombe – who dominated the men’s game late in the amateur era and start of the professional.

Stolle, who described playing for Australia as “everything to me”, helped them win the Davis Cup in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

After retiring he became a coach and then commentator.

Laver, the only man to win all four majors in one year during the Open era, described Stolle as “too nice a guy to hold a grudge”.

“It took the best to beat the best,” he said on X.

“We never tired of reliving the past as we travelled the world looking into the future with an enduring love of the sport.”

Former Australian doubles player Paul McNamee said: “What a player, what a commentator, what a bloke.”

“One of that great group of Aussie tennis players who made history, and whose legacy is perhaps unrivalled.”