SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 , 2021. THE WASHINGTON POST EZ RE B5
ASSOCIATED PRESSManuel Santana, after winning at Wimbledon in 1966. He arrived
in England weeks ahead of the tournament to polish his skills.
BY MATT SCHUDEL
Manuel Santana, who popular-
ized the sport of tennis in Spain
and became a national hero as the
first person from his country to
win Grand Slam tournament
championships, including the
1966 Wimbledon men’s singles ti-
tle, died Dec. 11 in Marbella, Spain.
He was 83.
The death was announced by
the Madrid Masters tournament,
where he was honorary president.
The cause was not disclosed.
Mr. Santana, who was known as
Manolo in his country, learned the
sport while working at a Madrid
tennis club as a boy. He began
competing in tournaments in his
teens and soon became known as
one of Europe’s finest players, par-
ticularly on the clay courts he
played on in Spain.
He won his first major title in
1961 at the French Championships
played on clay at Roland Garros
stadium in Paris. (The tourna-
ment is now called the French
Open.)
After defeating the two-time
defending champion, Italy’s Nico-
la Pietrangeli, in five sets, he col-
lapsed in tears of joy. Mr. Santana
prevailed over Pietrangeli again at
Roland Garros in 1964, winning a
four-set match.
It was an era in which the major
tournaments were restricted to
amateur players only. (Profession-
als were permitted at the major
tournaments beginning in 1968.)
Rackets were made of wood, and
tennis was defined more by fi-
nesse and inventive shot-making
than sheer power.
Mr. Santana, who was 5-foot-8
and about 150 pounds, did not
have a dominating serve, but he
was quick on his feet and could
make any shot from any spot on
the court. He approached the
game with the tactical precision of
a military campaign.
He led Spain’s Davis Cup teams
to prominence in the 1960s, once
knocking the U.S. team out of the
international team competition
and twice finishing second in the
finals. In 1965, even as Spain lost
the team title to Australia, Mr.
Santana reclaimed a measure of
national respect by beating his
friend and rival Roy Emerson in a
four-set singles match that culmi-
nated in an epic 15-13 final set.
Spanish fans rushed the court in
Sydney and carried Mr. Santana
off on their shoulders.
As strong as he was on clay
surfaces and in team play, Mr.
Santana knew that the true test of
tennis came on the faster grass
courts, which were then the sur-
faces used at both the U.S. Cham-
pionships (now the U.S. Open) in
Forest Hills, Queens, and at Wim-
bledon in England.
He skipped the French Champi-
onships in 1965 and 1966 to pre-
pare for both tournaments. At For-
est Hills in 1965, Mr. Santana de-
feated Arthur Ashe of the United
States in four sets in the semifi-
nals, then met the strapping South
African Cliff Drysdale in the finals.
He handily defeated Drysdale,
6-2, 7-9, 7-5, 6-1, leading New York
Times tennis writer Allison Dan-
zig to call Mr. Santana “the com-
plete tennis player” and one of the
“cleverest tacticians in the game.”
“Prior to his performances at
Forest Hills ... he was just a name
— a guy who had somehow man-
aged to trip up American Davis
Cup hopes,” Christian Science
Monitor sportswriter Alan Gray-
son noted. But after his victory,
tennis fans would “know him as a
little man ... who can spin, flick,
cut, cajole a tennis ball into all
sorts of antics, who can lay it dead
on a blade of grass. A man who can
lure his opponents into a web of
subtlety he weaves around them.”
In 1966, Mr. Santana arrived in
England five weeks before the
Wimbledon tournament to polish
the skills he would need in the
world’s most renowned tennis
competition.
“I came here for the first time in
1958 and I did very badly my first
three years,” Mr. Santana told the
Sunday Times of London in 2006.
“Many players would not have
come back, but I knew this was
something special, so I worked
hard and began to play better.”
He won two five-set matches to
advance to the finals against
American Dennis Ralston. The
players were a study in contrasts,
with the short, dark-haired Mr.
Santana facing the lanky, 6-foot-2
Californian.
But it was no contest, as Mr.
Santana dispatched Ralston in
straight sets, 6-4, 11-9, 6-4, playing
impeccably with almost no mis-
takes. The Wimbledon champion-
ship made Mr. Santana the No. 1
player in the world and a hero in
his homeland.
“When I returned to Spain, it
was remarkable,” he recalled in- “General Franco” — the
country’s longtime military dicta-
tor — “wanted to see me, the peo-
ple were rejoicing, it was on na-
tional TV. Spain had come awake
to tennis.”
Manuel Martínez Santana was
born May 10, 1938, in Madrid. His
father was an electrician, and his
mother was a homemaker.
He left school at 10 to work at a
tennis club, where he became de-
voted to the sport. He was 16 when
his father died. He then became
the temporary ward of a family at
the club who provided tennis les-
sons and academic tutoring.
Mr. Santana attempted to de-
fend his Wimbledon title in 1967,
but he was slowed by an ankle
injury and did not reach the finals.
In 1968, he won the men’s singles
championship at the Summer
Olympics in Mexico City, where
tennis was a demonstration sport.
It is now a regular component of
the Olympic Games.
As many of his fellow players
were turning professional in the
late 1960s, Mr. Santana resisted
the urge at first.
“I feel if I turn pro, tennis will be
gone forever in Spain,” he said in- “In Spain I don’t know if I’m
a hero or not, but money is not
everything for me.”
Mr. Santana retired from com-
petition in 1980, with four Grand
Slam singles titles and a men’s
double championship (with Em-
erson) at the 1963 French Champi-
onships.
Mr. Santana was married four
times and had five children and
five grandchildren.
After his playing career, he be-
came a coach and was captain of
Spain’s Davis Cup teams in the
1980s and 1990s. He was an infor-
mal mentor to younger players,
including Rafael Nadal, who in
2006 and again in 2008 became
the second Spanish man to win the
Wimbledon title. (Spanish women
Conchita Martínez and Garbiñe
Muguruza won the women’s
championship in 1994 and 2017,
respectively.)
Mr. Santana was elected to the
International Tennis Hall of Fame
in 1984, owned a tennis club in
Marbella, was the director of the
Madrid Open and attended the
Wimbledon championships every
year.
“So I am still very much in-
volved in the game,” he said in
2006, on the 50th anniversary of
his Wimbledon victory. “People
still say, ‘Santana is tennis and
tennis is Santana.’ I think my suc-
cess in those days is one of the big
reasons we have so many good
players in Spain since then.”
[email protected]
MANUEL SANTANA, 83
Tennis champion was
a Spanish national hero
“I feel if I turn pro, tennis will be gone forever in
Spain. In Spain I don’t know if I’m a hero or not,
but money is not everything for me.”
Manuel Santana, on weighing the decision to go proIN MEMORIAM
In Memory of
DOROTHY ANN GARNETT
Christmas Day is when she gained her wings
and flew away,no more pain she has to endure.
She is loved and missed so much our Hearts are
Very Heavy on this Day.
Jo Ann & FamilyGARNETT
DWIGHT A. GOPAUL
June 8, 1952 - December 25, 2018
In Loving Memory of our beloved Dwight.
Devoted son, husband, father, brother, Papa
and friend.You will always be in our hearts.
Your Loving Family and FriendsGOPAUL
OTHA JOHN HAMER, JR.
December25, 1923 -May22, 1988
Memories and your ever-present
spirit are a source of comfort and
peace during this Holiday Season.
May you and Tres have a Merry
Christmas. Happy Birthday to you
and Jesus.
Wife, Betty
Daughters,Anna, Othalene, and LaTaunya
Grandchildren, Mia and Otha
Great-Grandsons, Mason and JaxsonHAMER
BARBARA A. KING
11/22/1939 ~ 10/19/2014
Remembering at Christmas
Devoted Sister, Brenda J. King
and dear brother-in-law, Paul E. RockelliKING
CARLA KING ROCKELLI
November 10, 1941 - February 19, 2019
Remembering at Christmas
Loving husband, Paul E. Rockelli
and dear sister, Brenda J. KingROCKELLI
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2021
JAMES T. SMITH, SR.
4/11/1897 - 12/21/1969
MARY M. SMITH
8/8/1905 - 10/19/1994
MARY A. SMITH
9/5/1937 - 9/30/1997
JAMES T. SMITH , JR.
9/10/1933 - 4/7/1998
SUE V. BURNETT SMITH
11/21/1942 - 7/2/2006
JOYCE E. SMITH
2/16/1942 - 7/29/2007
DIANNE L. QUICK
1/1/1945 - 11/4/2009
VALENCIA J. PARKER WRIGHT
6/29/1963 - 1/14/2014
DWIGHT B. QUICK
7/31/1969 - 9/8/2016
DENESH GUPTA
11/9/1943 - 12/1/2018
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
dear loved ones.We love you and miss
you.Your Loving Family and FriendsSMITH
DEATH NOTICE
THOMAS L. BURNETT, JR.
(Age 84)
Of Washington, DC, passed away on May 3,
2021 in his apartment, a year after his wife
of 57 years, Cassandra B. Burnett, passed.
Tom was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Thomas
Sr. and Elizabeth on December 25. He
served on submarines in the U.S. Navy for
23 years,as well as Signature Flight Support
for 20 years. He was very involved at New
Bethel Baptist Church, his church for over
20 years.
Thomas is survived by his daughter, Bel-
lecarmen, of Sacramento, as well as his
brothers, James Sr. and Robert; his nieces,
Shevonna, Heather, Tracey and Jennifer,
his nephews, James, Jr., Christopher, Sean,
Tom, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services were held May 22, via
Zoom through New Bethel Baptist Church
in Washington, DC. Memorial donations
may be made to the Christian Teaching
Ministry, 3045 Chartiers Ave., Pittsburgh PA
15204, or New Bethel Baptist Church, 1739
9th St NW,Washington 20001.BURNETT
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SUSANNE ELIZABETH MERSHON
Susanne Elizabeth Mershon, long-time res-
ident of Washington, DC. and Virginia, died
on Sunday, December 19, 2021, in Alexan-
dria,Virginia. She was 66 years old.
After growing up and attending high school
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Alborn; her brother-in-law, Russell W.
Walsh; her nephew, Andrew S. Alborn, and
his wife, Aimee E. Davin; her niece, Olivia
M. Alborn; and many nieces, nephews, and
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Mr. Borger and the Mershon family also
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offered during a most difficult time.
No services scheduled. Friends wishing to
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THOMAS J. MURRAY SR.
(Age 97)
Publisher of The Social List of Washington, also
known as The Green Book, died peacefully
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ton, DC 20016 on December 28, 2021, from 2
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Catholic Church, 4900 Strathmore Ave, Garrett
Park, MD 20896 on December 29, 2021, at 11
a.m. Due to pandemic concerns, we ask that
all visitors be vaccinated and wear a mask.
For more information on Thomas J. Murray’s
life please go to http://www.JosephGawlers.com.MURRAY
IN MEMORIAM
MELISSA J. GARDNER
February 16, 1943 - December 25, 2005
In loving memory of Melissa J. Gardner
who lost her battle with ovarian cancer
sixteen years ago today.Your strength,
beauty and courage will be with us forever.
Your legacy enriches our family each day.
We miss you and love you so much.
Trevor, "T", Melissa, Kristen,
Grandchildren & FamilyGARDNER
IN MEMORIAM
CORA ANN GUERRA
July 5, 1921 - September 29, 2019
Everyday in some small way
memories of you come my way.
You are loved and missed everyday.
Your daughter, BerthaGUERRA
STANLEY MICHAEL JACKSON
March 15, 1956 - June 11, 2019
Merry Christmas
We Miss You
Love,The FamilyJACKSON
SHIRLEY T. JENNINGS
December 25, 1939-June 14, 2012
Merry Christmas and Happy 82nd. Birthday.
Tonight, your family and friends would be
celebrating your Birthday with a huge party.
Christmas day is never the same without you.
You had a smile for everyone and a heart of
gold.We Love and miss very much.
Stacy,Tracie and Robert Jennings
Your Soulmate, Bobby SmithJENNINGS
JAMES ORLEAND NEWKIRK
September 28, 1941 ~ December 16, 2018
It’s been three years since you received your
wings.You left us beautiful memories.We
think about you and miss you every day.
Your Loving Wife, Daughter, Grandchild,
and FamilyNEWKIRK
GLORIA M. WILLIAMS
We love and miss you
Husband Moses,
children, Monica and Marlene and
family pet MidnightWILLIAMS
DEATH NOTICE
SUSAN LYNDE DUVAL PHIPPS
Susan Lynde DuVal Phipps passed away on
December 7, 2021, after a long battle with
cancer. Lyn, as she was known, was the
daughter of former Virginia State Senator Clive
L. DuVal 2d and his wife Susan Bontecou DuVal,
both of whom predeceased her. She is survived
by her daughter, Cristina Phipps, and her two
brothers, Daniel DuVal and Clive DuVal III. Her
other brother, David DuVal, predeceased her in
1988.
Lyn was born on September 29, 1945 and
had lived in McLean since 1977, after having
moved from Sussex England with her daughter,
Cristinia Phipps. She attended Potomac School
and graduated from Westover School in 1963.
She later attended Georgetown University, The
American School in Switzerland and Le Cordon
Bleu. She was a passionate gardener, animal
lover and avid tennis fan. Many will remember
her as a vendor at the McLean Farmers Market,
where she sold jams, chutneys, baked goods
and her flowers for 33 years.
In view of the current pandemic, no services
will be held at this time. She will be interred
at the Bontecou family burial plot in Millbrook,
New York, where she lived for several years
and where many of her relatives still live. It is
hoped that a celebration for family and friends
could be held in McLean in early Spring.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contribu-
tions in her memory can be made to any animal
rescue organization, the Virginia Native Plant
Society or the McLean Community Foundation.PHIPPS
DEATH NOTICE
CHARLOTTE ANN TRUMP
(Age 82)
Of Nottoway County,VA, passed away on Tues-
day, December 21, 2021.
She was preceded in death by her loving hus-
band of 61 years, John F.Trump.
She is survived by her children, Tennie, Ann
and Paul; grandchildren, Shelby, Zachary, Toni,
Maya, Eva and Adela and Great-Grandchild,
Amelia; sisters, Nancy and Bessie Jean and
brothers, Lewis, Jr. and Robert.
Charlotte was a loving wife, mother, grand-
mother and great-grandmother who always
showed her love with her cooking and baking.
Always a care giver and mother to everyone,
Charlotte will be greatly missed.
Services will be held in Crewe Cemetery, for
family members, 11 a.m, Monday, December
27, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you
please consider a donation to The Alzheimer
Association, https://www.alz.org Arrange-
ments entrusted to Hamner-McMillian Funeral
Home, 1400 S. Main St., Blackstone. Online
condolences may be shared at
http://www.hamnermcmillian.com.TRUMP
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