Byron Black

Byron Black is a former tennis player from Zimbabwe. Born on October 6, 1969 in Harare, Zimbabwe, Byron Hamish Black attended the University of Southern California and was named an All-American by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Black started playing tennis at a young age at his father’s grass court in Highlands, and played the game for Prince Edward School in his hometown. He played for the tennis team when he moved to the Oriel Boys High School, where he was exposed to other future Davis Cup players for Zimbabwe like Greig Rodgers and Mark Gurr. While attending Prince Edward, Black who was just 13 years old defeated an 18 year old opponent from Oriels with a score of 6-1 6-1.

He also played for Club Open in Harare as well as in the Zimbabwe Tournament Open before he turned pro. Black plays with a double-handed forehand, making him only one of a few players to do so.

He was a US Open finalist in 1995, and again in 2000 in Wimbledon. In 1996 Black reached his career highest rank in singles at no. 22. He had more luck in doubles, becoming world no. 1 in February 1994 and winning the French Open in the same year with partner Jonathan Stark. He reached the finals in three other doubles majors, the 1994 and 2001 Australian Opens and the 1996 Wimbledon.

He was also one of the founders of the Zimbabwean Davis Cup team along with his brother Wayne. Black was awarded the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award in 1990.