Alejandro Olmedo

Alejandro Olmedo was a tennis player from Peru who later became a U.S. citizen. He was one of the world's top amateur players in the late 1950s, winning two majors in 1959 and the U.S. Pro Championships in 1960. He was also a pivotal member of the American Davis Cup team in 1958.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Alejandro Olmedo Rodríguez was born on March 24, 1936, in Arequipa, Peru. He stands 178 cm tall and he plays right-handed with a one-handed backhand. Though born and raised in Peru, he moved to Southern California, where he was mentored by Perry T. Jones and played for the University of Southern California (USC).

Olmedo was married to Ann Olmedo, and they had a son, Alejandro Jr., and two daughters, Amy and Angela. After his retirement from professional competition, he spent over 40 years teaching tennis at the Beverly Hills Hotel, with clients that included notable celebrities such as Katharine Hepburn and Robert Duvall.

Olmedo passed away on December 9, 2020, at the age of 84 from cancer.

Professional Career

Alejandro Olmedo had a highly successful amateur career, during which he won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) singles and doubles championships in 1956 and 1958 while at USC.

In 1958, he controversially represented the United States in Davis Cup competition, despite not yet being a citizen. He was recruited by captain Perry T. Jones and led the U.S. team to a championship victory against a formidable Australian team by winning two singles matches and one doubles match. His exceptional performance earned him the nickname "The Chief."

In 1959, he was ranked the World's No. 2 amateur player. That year, he won the Australian Championships and the Wimbledon singles titles, and was a runner-up at the U.S. Championships.

Olmedo turned professional in 1960, and in his first year on the professional tour, he won the U.S. Pro Tennis Championships by defeating Tony Trabert in the final. He retired from professional competition in 1977 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 477–420 (53.1%)
• Career titles: 21
• Highest ranking: No. 2 (1959)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – W (1959)
• French Open – 1R (1969, 1972)
• Wimbledon – W (1959)
• US Open – F (1959)

Doubles

• Career record: 26–35

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• US Open – W (1958)

Mixed Doubles

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• US Open – F (1958)

Professional Majors

• U.S. Pro Tennis Championships – W (1960)

Team competitions

• Davis Cup – W (1958)