Tennis greats rocked after death of Aussie legend Owen Davidson

Tennis legends Rod Laver and Billie Jean King have led the tributes to Owen Davidson, following news the Aussie great has died at the age of 79. Davidson's longtime friend Isabel Suliga revealed that he passed away in Conroe, Texas on Friday, with the International Tennis Hall of Fame confirming the sad news.

Davidson won 11 major titles in mixed doubles and two in men's doubles and in 1967 became just the third player in tennis history to earn all four major mixed doubles titles in the same year. Three of those titles came alongside American women's legend King, who paid respects to the memory of her former partner in a heartfelt message on social media.

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"Our hearts are broken, but we find peace in the lifetime of wonderful memories we shared with our friend Davo," King wrote in a tweet. Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley described the doubles specialist as "a true Aussie legend of the sport" and offered his condolences to the late Aussie champion's grieving family.

"Today, the tennis world mourns the loss of Owen "Davo" Davidson, a true Aussie legend of the sport," Tiley wrote. "With his powerful left-handed game and remarkable skill, the Tennis Hall of Famer dominated doubles, winning the mixed Grand Slam in 1967. My condolences to Owen’s family, friends."

Known for his strong lefty serve, Davidson won the 1972 Australian Open with Ken Rosewall and the 1973 US Open with John Newcombe - when they beat Rod Laver and Rosewall. In singles, he reached the 1966 semi-finals of Wimbledon by upsetting two-time defending champion Roy Emerson.

"I’m saddened to learn of Owen Davidson’s passing," Laver posted on Twitter. "He was a fellow leftie, great sporting champion, the best in doubles, and above all, a great mate. Rest in peace Davo."

Tennis world mourns death of Owen Davidson

Davidson also reached the quarter-finals in singles at seven other majors - five times at the Australian Championships and twice at the U.S. Nationals, a precursor to the US Open. He had the honour of playing in the first match of the Open Era, defeating John Clifton in the first round of the British Hard Court Championships on April 22, 1968.

It was Davidson's partnership with King in the mixed doubles that proved particularly fruitful in the grand slams though, with the pair combining to win four major titles at Wimbledon, three at the US Open and one at the French Open. In the 1971 Wimbledon final, they outlasted Margaret Court and Marty Riessen 3-6 6-2 15-13.

Davidson was born in Melbourne on October 4, 1943. He was coached by Hall of Famer Mervyn Rose and worked with Davis Cup captain Harry Hopman as a member of the Australian Davis Cup team. Having also coached the British Davis Cup team from 1967-70, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010.

The Aussie legend is survived by his son Cameron and brother Trevor Davidson. His death has sparked an outpouring of messages on social media as the tennis world remembers one of the greats of the sport.

with AAP

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