Giuseppe Merlo
Giuseppe "Beppe" Merlo (11 October 1927 – 17 July 2019) was an Italian tennis player, who is considered the inventor of the two-handed backhand, many years before this style of stroke was made internationally popular by Bjorn Borg and became the backhand technique preferred by the majority of recreational and professional players.
| Country (sports) |  |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 October 1927 Merano, Italy |
| Died | 17 July 2019 (aged 91) [1] Rome, Italy |
| Turned pro | 1947 (amateur tour) |
| Retired | 1969 |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Singles | |
| Grand Slam Singles results | |
| French Open | SF (1955, 1956) |
| Wimbledon | 4R (1955) |
| US Open | 1R (1955) |
| Doubles | |
| Grand Slam Doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | 2R (1953) |
| Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1967) |
| Team competitions | |
| Davis Cup | F (1955, 1958, 1961Ch) |
Merlo reached the semifinals of French Championships in 1955 (losing to Sven Davidson) and 1956 (losing to Lew Hoad). In the final of Rome in 1955, Merlo led 2 sets to 1 and had 2 match points against Fausto Gardini, but minutes later had to retire with cramps. Merlo lost in the Italian Open final again in 1957 (to Nicola Pietrangeli).
He retired from competitive tennis in 1969 when he was 41 years old. He was 91 at the time of his passing in July 2019.
References
- "Inventor of two-handed backhand dies". ANSA. 17 July 2019.
External links
- Giuseppe Merlo at the Association of Tennis Professionals
- Giuseppe Merlo at the International Tennis Federation
- Giuseppe Merlo at the Davis Cup