William Hester

William Ewing Hester (aka “Slew”) was an American known for being a gruff tennis official. He was born on May 08, 1912 and resided in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, United States. He was a native of Mississippi, and was known to be forever underestimated.

Hester started as a football player representing Millsaps College in his hometown. When he moved his interests to tennis, his outstanding sportsmanship was not missed as he gathered numerous trophies to his name. Some of these wins included U.S. senior doubles that included Grass Court 45s together with Alex Wellford.

However, it was not because of his tennis playing prowess that Hester was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It was because he is known as one of the greatest, forceful, and thoughtful presidents the United States Tennis Association had ever had. Hester made his mark in the game by almost single handedly moving the United States Open from its location in Forest Hills, and relocating it to the new National Tennis Center which is located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

Hester’s reign as president of the United States Tennis Association spanned from 1969 to 1977. During his time, he made great changes and a notable two year critical time. Although he made use of numerous innovations in the world of tennis, Hester still believed himself to be a man of tradition. In fact, back in 1978, he placed a small potted ivy at the new building he had constructed, under a sign that said “Watch Tradition Grow!”

After years of great achievement, Hester died in February 08, 1993 of congestive heart failure. This was due to his 20-year long struggle against rheumatoid arthritis. He lived to see himself inducted into the Hall of Fame, which happened in 1981.