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American tennis player and administrator From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walter Merrill Hall (December 4, 1887 – July 28, 1980) was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and raised in Manhattan.[1][2] Hall was a longtime player and administrator in American tennis. Career highlights: 1. Nationally ranked number four in 1918. 2. U.S. National Championship quarterfinalists in 1918 and 1919. 3. USTA President 1934–36.
Walter Merrill Hall | |
---|---|
Born | Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. | December 4, 1887
Died | July 28, 1980 92) New Rochelle, New York, U.S. | (aged
Occupation(s) | banking, broker, investment adviser, tennis administrator |
He was the only child of John Walter Hall (organist, vocal instructor) and Louise Hanford Merrill.[3] He married Mary Story "Vandy" Cape in Manhattan on April 11, 1925.[4] She was also a tennis player. Hall took a middle-ground approach to the proposed rule redefining amateurism in 1924.[5] It was a volatile issue for most of the year. Hall served as president of the West Side Tennis Club, 1929–31. He was an administrator with the United States Tennis Association. Treasure: 1931–33. President: 1934–36.[6] He then served the game in various capacities, including as chairman of the Davis Cup Committee. He worked in New York City as a banker, broker, and investment adviser.[2] Hall died at the Bayberry Nursing Home in New Rochelle, New York, at age 92.[7]
Hall was ranked in the U.S. Top Ten in 1911, 1915 and 1918.[8][9] Hall was a singles quarterfinalist and finalist at the Tri-State tournament (Cincinnati Open) in 1910 and 1911.[10] He won a doubles (with Harold Hackett) and two singles runner-ups in the Clay Court Championships between 1910 and 1913.[11] He won three Middle States Championships (1911, 1918, and 1919). He reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. National Championships in 1918 and 1919. The first was a five-set close loss to Bill Tilden, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 5-7, 1-6. Hall was leading in the fourth set, 5-3. Tilden then won four straight games. Hall won the New Hampshire State Championships in singles at age 45 (1933).[12]
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