Fritz Mercur (June 23, 1903 – September 1961) was an American

tennis Tennis is a racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball c ...

player. He was an insurance salesman. In a twenty-year career, Mercur was an inconsistent performer, but at his best had a victory over

Bill Tilden William Tatem Tilden II (February 10, 1893 – June 5, 1953), nicknamed "Big Bill", was an American tennis player. Tilden was the world No. 1 amateur for six consecutive years, from 1920 to 1925, and was ranked as the world No. 1 professional ...

(at a tournament at Rye in 1928) to his name. Mercur made his debut at the U. S. Championships in 1921and lost in round one to that year's finalist Wallace F. Johnson. Mercur lost early at the U. S. championships in 1923, 1924, 1926, 1927 and 1928. In 1929 Mercur beat

Wilmer Allison Wilmer Lawson Allison Jr. (December 8, 1904 – April 20, 1977) was an American amateur tennis champion of the 1930s. Allison's career was overshadowed by the arrival of Don Budge, although he was both a fine singles player and, along with his f ...

before losing to Frank Hunter in the semi-finals. In beating Allison (the champion in 1935), Mercur came to the net and beat Allison at his own game. Mercur lost early in 1930, 1932, 1935, 1936 and 1937.

References

1903 births 1961 deaths American male tennis players Tennis people from Pennsylvania {{US-tennis-bio-stub