News

Paul G. Sullivan, Pittsburgh's "Mr. Tennis," died this past Wednesday. He was 98. Four generations of tennis players were served by his unselfish dedication to his sport.

Inducted into the United States Tennis Association-Middle States Section's Hall of Fame in October 2001, Sullivan received the USTA's highest honor and recognition. Accompanied by his son, Paul Jr., Sullivan regaled attendees with nostalgia, stories, and convictions.

Tom Benic, the USTA/MS Allegheny Mountain District's public relations committee chairman, wrote the following biography for Sullivan's induction:

"This Pittsburgh native was the first in his family to take up the game, and his love for the sport has never faltered. He made the varsity tennis team at Duquesne University as a freshman in 1922 and was captain his last three years. Sullivan played in local tournaments well into his 80s, shunning age-group competitions and always entering the open draw.

"After graduating from Duquesne University Law School, he returned to coach (on a gratis basis) the men's tennis team for many years. Over a 30-year period beginning in the 1920s, Sullivan umpired professional tennis matches that came to Pittsburgh. Two top players who had turned professional played a principle match. Two secondary players provided another singles match and doubles competition for these events. This professional tour included players such as Bill Tilden, Don Budge and Suzanne Lenglen.

"But Paul Sullivan will be best remembered as a tournament director and an ardent supporter of tennis for the general public in Pittsburgh for most of his life. For the past 70 years, he has directed the Pittsburgh Parks Tennis Championships, a tenure that may be the longest of any tournament director in the nation. His insistence on a minimal entry fee ($2 for singles and $3 for a doubles team in the 2000 summer event) is credited with giving thousands their first opportunity to play tournament tennis."

"It's great for kids to have a game they can play all of their lives," Sullivan said. "They're not going to be playing much baseball or football after they're out of school. In tennis, you only need one other fellow to play you."

Only World War II kept Sullivan away from Pittsburgh and its tennis scene. He served in the Navy as an officer and met his wife, Virginia, in the service. They have been married since 1944. The Pittsburgh Parks Tennis Championships, an event he started, wasn't competed for the two years during the war while he was away.

The only tournament Sullivan missed was in 1946, when he was assigned to the naval task force during the testing of the hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean.

"Tennis is a great game," Sullivan said. "I'm glad I could be a part of it."

Sullivan was short in stature but very tough and very fair. He had a giant impact on Pittsburgh tennis. "Mr. Tennis" will be missed.

The Pittsburgh Parks Tennis Championships has been competed and directed by Sullivan since 1930. In Sullivan's honor, the tournament will be renamed The Paul G. Sullivan Tennis Championships. Each year, the winners will qualify for the National Parks Tennis Championships.

Entry fees will remain at $2 for singles and $3 for doubles. Everyone is invited to play. The tournament will be at the reconstructed Frick Park Tennis Center July 13-21. For more information, call (412) 244-4188.

Jim Rudolph's Tennis2Day notebook appears Mondays in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

• Most Read
• Most E-mailed
• Latest News