![]() ![]() He retired from the professional tour in 1986, and was a regular tennis commentator on the USA network between 19. The stunt, however, was short-lived when Gerulaitis and Riggs lost a doubles match against Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver. ![]() In 1985, Gerulaitis teamed with Bobby Riggs to launch a challenge to female players after the famous Battle of the Sexes. Gerulaitis was known for his exceptionally quick hands at the net and his outstanding court coverage. His career-high singles ranking was world No. In February 1981, Gerulaitis won the star-laden Toronto Indoor invitational tournament, defeating John McEnroe in the final after having defeated Jimmy Connors in the semifinal.ĭuring his career, Gerulaitis won 25 top-level singles titles and eight doubles titles. Gerulaitis reached his third Grand Slam singles final in 1980, when he lost in the final of the French Open to Björn Borg in straight sets. He won two singles "rubbers" in the final, as the US beat Italy 5–0. He was a member of the United States team which won the Davis Cup in 1979. In 1979, Gerulaitis lost in the men's singles finals at the US Open to fellow New Yorker, John McEnroe, in straight sets. By 1978, he was the third-ranked men's singles player in the world. In 1978, Gerulaitis won the year-end championship WCT Finals for the World Championship Tennis tour, beating Eddie Dibbs 6–3, 6–2, 6–1. In 1977, Gerulaitis won the most significant title of his career at the Australian Open, when he defeated John Lloyd in the men's singles final in five sets. In 1977 he lost a Wimbledon semifinal to his close friend and practice partner, Björn Borg, 6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 8–6, a match later considered one of the greatest of the decade. He was a singles semifinalist at Wimbledon in both 19. He also won the men's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1975. ![]() Gerulaitis was coached by Fred Stolle from 1977 until 1983. He also played for the league's Indiana Loves franchise in 1977. Gerulaitis played for the Triangles from 1974 until 1976. Gerulaitis led the Pittsburgh Triangles to the World TeamTennis championship title at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena in 1975. Both siblings' native language was Lithuanian. His younger sister Ruta was also a professional tennis player. Gerulaitis was nicknamed "The Lithuanian Lion". He attended Columbia College of Columbia University with the class of 1975 for one year before dropping out to pursue tennis full-time. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, graduating in 1971. Gerulaitis was born on July 26, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, to Lithuanian immigrant parents, and grew up in Howard Beach, Queens. (Gerulaitis won the tournament that was held in December, while Roscoe Tanner won the earlier January tournament.) He won two Italian Open titles, in 19, and the WCT Finals in Dallas in 1978. He won the men's singles title at one of the two Australian Open tournaments held in 1977. In 1975, he won the men's doubles title at Wimbledon, partnering with Sandy Mayer. Vytautas Kevin Gerulaitis (J– September 17, 1994) was an American professional tennis player, known as Vitas Gerulaitis. Vitas Gerulaitis at the 1978 ABN World Tennis Tournamentĥ35–232 (69.8%) in Grand Prix, WCT and Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cupġ64–123 ( Grand Prix, WCT and Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cup) ![]()
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