THIRTEEN time tennis Grand Slam doubles winner Owen Davidson has died aged 79.
The Australian won 11 Grand Slams in mixed double’s and two in men’s doubles.
Owen Davidson (left), who won eight tennis Grand Slams alongside Billie Jean King (right), has died aged 79
Davidson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010
Eight of his 13 Grand Slam triumphs came playing alongside American tennis icon Billie Jean King.
Melbourne-born Davidson also reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon as a singles player in 1966.
Between 1967 and 1970 he worked for the British LTA as head pro at the All England Club, and coach of the British Davis Cup team.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame confirmed Davidson passed away on Friday.
King paid an emotional tribute to Davidson on Twitter, writing: “Yesterday, the world lost Owen Davidson, a Hall of Fame tennis champion who proudly represented Australia in @DavisCup, a man who was my mixed doubles partner, & a longtime friend to Ilana & me.
“Owen was the only man with whom I could win the Mixed @Wimbledon. Together, we won 8 major Mixed titles.
“Our hearts are broken, but we find peace in the lifetime of wonderful memories we shared with our friend Davo.”
Fellow Australian Rod Laver wrote on Twitter: “I’m saddened to learn of Owen Davidson’s passing.
“He was a fellow leftie, great sporting champion, the best in doubles, and above all, a great mate. Rest in peace Davo.”
Davidson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010.
He became just the third player in tennis history to win all four major mixed doubles titles in the same year back in 1967.
Three of those titles came alongside King.
Davidson was renowned for his strong left-hand serve, and in 1968 he played in the first match of the Open era.
He beat John Clifton in round one of the British Hard Court Championships in Bournemouth.
