Alex Olmedo, 84, Dies; Tennis Star Known for a Remarkable Year

Late in the 1958 season, Olmedo teamed with Richardson to win the men’s doubles title at Forest Hills.

Olmedo was at his best on fast surfaces, where he could display his quickness and forge an aggressive game.

His extraordinary 1959 season began when he defeated Neale Fraser of Australia in four sets for the Australian championship. He downed another Australian, Rod Laver, who at the time was only 20 years old and unseeded, in straight sets in the Wimbledon final, adding lobs to his customary serve-and-volley game along with strong groundstrokes.

Olmedo lost to Fraser in the Forest Hills singles final.

After only two seasons as an amateur (and long before the Open era, when professionals were allowed to compete alongside amateurs), Olmedo joined Jack Kramer’s touring pro circuit. He defeated Tony Trabert for the 1960 U.S. Pro Tennis title.

Olmedo retired from competitive play in the mid-1960s. He was a longtime teaching pro at the Beverly Hills Hotel, a magnet for Hollywood stars, where his pupils included Katharine Hepburn and Robert Duvall.

Alejandro Olmedo was born on March 24, 1936, in Arequipa. His survivors include his son, Alejandro Jr.; two daughters, Amy and Angela; and four grandchildren. His marriage to Ann Olmedo ended in divorce.

Olmedo was the second International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee to die in recent days. Dennis Ralston, also a star at U.S.C. and a five-time doubles champion in majors, died on Dec. 6 in Austin, Texas.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/sports/tennis/alex-olmedo-dead.html