The small central Queensland rural community of Theodore is mourning the death of former tennis champion-turned-mentor Mal Anderson this week.
The Australian tennis great, who was raised on a cattle station in Theodore, sadly passed away at age 91.
A four-time Grand Slam winner, Anderson grew up playing on a dirt court his father built on their family farm where as a child he had regular hit outs with other locals including the Laver brothers.
Anderson went on to great success, including winning the Davis Cup twice and the US Open singles title in 1957 as an unseeded player, beating the world's number one in a major upset.
After retiring, Anderson coached some of Australia's next generation of tennis champions including Pat Rafter, who described his mentor as a true legend.
He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame the following year.
In 2022, Anderson returned home to the tiny town of Theodore, population 451, to donate his US Open trophy to the Theodore Tennis Club as part of his old club's centenary celebrations.
The prized possession proudly sits on the top shelf of the clubhouse trophy cabinet.
Vale Mal Anderson.
Have a great week and remember, if you have a story idea drop an email to Rockhampton.Regional@abc.net.au and make sure you like our ABC Capricornia Facebook page for links to all of our stories and information about upcoming visits to yur towns.
Aaron Kelly,
ABC Capricornia editor
Pictured: Tennis great Mal Anderson visits the Theodore Tennis Club in 2024. Photo: ABC News/Amy Sheehan.
