Haroon Rahim
Haroon Rahim (born 12 November 1949) is a Pakistani former tennis player. The former Pakistan and Asian No. 1, Rahim was the youngest tennis player ever to play for Pakistan in the Davis Cup at 15 years of age. He was also the highest ranking Pakistani tennis player (a career-high singles ranking of World No. 34 in October 1977). He led the UCLA team to victory with Jeff Borowiak and Jimmy Connors in 1970–71 and was 1971 NCAA doubles champion with Jeff Borowiak.[1]
Country (sports) | |
---|---|
Born | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan | 12 November 1949
Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Turned pro | 1968 |
Plays | Right-handed |
Singles | |
Career record | 119–150 |
Career titles | 2 |
Highest ranking | No. 34 (24 October 1977) |
Grand Slam Singles results | |
French Open | 2R (1975) |
Wimbledon | 2R (1976, 1977) |
US Open | 3R (1971) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 101–127 |
Career titles | 3 |
Grand Slam Doubles results | |
French Open | 2R (1972) |
Wimbledon | 3R (1976) |
US Open | QF (1971) |
He was from the Punjab city of Lahore, from a large family of avid tennis players. His father, Mir Abdur Rahim, was a civil servant who encouraged his children, sons and daughters, to play tennis. His father loved tennis so much that he said he wanted to die on the tennis court. In 1968, he died of a heart attack while playing doubles with friends at the picturesque Mayo Gardens, Lahore.
Haroon Rahim was only the second Pakistani after Khawaja Saeed Hai to make it to the Wimbledon's main draw. He played in many Grand Slams, in both singles and doubles. Rahim won two ATP titles, the first at Little Rock against former Wimbledon runner up Alex Metreveli of the Soviet Union, and then the second at Cleveland against Colin Dibley, both in 1976.
He also lost a final to Spanish US Open winner and French Open finalist Manuel Orantes.
He also won 3 doubles titles, one at Oslo in 1974, North Conway in 1975 and Little Rock in 1978. Success was seen in the men's doubles where he made it to the quarterfinals of the US Open, the third round of Wimbledon, and the second round of the French Open.[2]
Haroon Rahim is the winner of the closest match ever played, he beat Tom Gorman 6–7(3–5), 7–6(5–1), 7–6(5–4) Pennsylvania Grass Championships, as both players never losing their serve, each set went to a tie break with Haroon winning the match by just one point.
Last known to be in the U.S., Haroon retired from tennis, severed contact with his family, and his whereabouts are unknown.[3]
Grand Slams performance timelines
Singles
Tournament | 1977 | 1976 | 1975 | 1971 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Australian Open | - | - | - | - |
French Open | - | - | 2R | - |
Wimbledon | 2R | 2R | - | - |
US Open | - | - | - | 3R |
Doubles
Tournament | 1976 | 1972 | 1971 |
---|---|---|---|
Australian Open | - | - | - |
French Open | - | 2R | - |
Wimbledon | 3R | - | - |
US Open | - | - | QF |
ATP career finals
Singles (2 titles, 3 runners-up)
Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Runner-up | 1. | 17 March 1972 | Caracas, Venezuela | Hard | 4–6, 5–7, 4–6 | |
Winner | 2. | 29 January 1976 | Cleveland, United States | Carpet | 6–4, 6–4 | |
Winner | 3. | 24 April 1976 | Little Rock, United States | Carpet | 6–4, 7–5 | |
Runner-up | 4. | 31 January 1977 | Little Rock, United States | Carpet | 2–6, 4–6 |
Doubles (3 titles, 3 runners-up)
Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Runner-up | 1. | 14 February 1971 | New York City, United States | N/A | 6–7, 2–6 | ||
Winner | 2. | 16 November 1974 | Oslo, Norway | N/A | 6–3, 6–2 | ||
Winner | 3. | 4 August 1975 | North Conway, United States | Clay | 7–6, 7–6 | ||
Runner-up | 4. | 5 October 1975 | Maui, United States | Hard | 6–3, 6–7, 3–6 | ||
Runner-up | 5. | 1 March 1976 | Little Rock, United States | Carpet | 3–6, 7–6, 3–6 | ||
Winner | 6. | 31 January 1977 | Little Rock, United States | Carpet | 7–6(7–5), 6–4 |
References
- "Haroon Rahim". Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- "Haroon Rahim". Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- "Crazy Diamonds". Retrieved 1 December 2012.