A former tennis player from South Africa named Eric Clifford Drysdale was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the year 2013. In addition to being a well-known tennis commentator, he was also a top-ranked professional player in the tennis world during the 1960s and early 1970s.
At the Dutch Open held in Hilversum in 1963 and 1964, the tennis players were victorious in the singles competition both years. In 1965, he won the German Championships in the singles competition by claiming victory over Boro Jovanovic in the final.
During the open portion of his career, Drysdale won a total of six doubles championships, one of which was the United States Open doubles trophy, which he shared with Roger Taylor in 1972. In addition to that, he took home five singles titles. In the 1960s, he was the first person to use a two-handed backhand, which he later went on to use to great advantage in tennis matches.
He became a naturalized citizen of the United States after hanging up his cleats as a player and retiring from the sport. Together with his business partner Don Henderson, he established Cliff Drysdale Tennis, a company that specializes in the management of tennis operations at resorts, hotels, and clubs.
Drysdale has been employed with ESPN in the capacity of tennis commentator ever since the launch of the network in 1979. Drysdale was recognized by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in 1998 with the William M. Johnston award for his services to men’s tennis.
Cliff Drysdale
Cliff Drysdale & Wife DiAnna Belmonte Married In 2011
Dianna Belmonte Drysdale, the managing editor of the lifestyle magazine published by CDT, is most known for her role as the famous wife of former South African tennis player Cliff Drysdale. The couple tied the knot on April 16, 2011, and have been living a life of wedded bliss ever since. As of the year 2022, the pair has been working together continuously for more than ten years.
Dianna is the stepmother to two of her husband’s children from his first marriage to another woman, as her husband remarried after the birth of those children. They have been there for each other for the past 11 years, and it would appear that they had the ideal relationship.
After getting married, the couple has been devoting more time to spending quality time together. Dianna also enjoys spending time with her family and going horseback riding in her spare time. She is a very encouraging wife, and she is proud to brag about her husband’s successes and achievements on a regular basis.
At the majority of the social gathering ceremonies, Dianna and her husband were frequently spotted making an appearance together. Cliff’s first wife, Jane, passed away, and from that point on, Cliff’s second wife, Dianna, has been the rock upon which he has been able to build his life and his professional career.
On the other hand, his first wife, Jean, was a well-known tennis player in her own right and acted as his spouse. Jean, who passed away, is the mother of his two children with him.
The couple tied the knot in the neighborhood of Chelsea, which is located in London. Sadly, she went unexpectedly in 1984 from a condition that was extremely uncommon.
Cliff Drysdale Net Worth 2022: How Rich Is He Today?
The majority of the ex-tennis pro’s current net worth of approximately $5 million was amassed during his time spent working in the sports sector both as a player as a commentator on various sporting events and competitions.
In addition, the 81-year-old man started the lifestyle magazine that is published by CDT, which contributed a respectable amount of money to his overall profits and riches.
As of the year 2022, it is estimated that a tennis player in the United States earns an average of $1900 per match, and it is estimated that Cliff earned somewhere in the same range as the average. In addition to that, it is thought that Cliff made a respectable amount of money working as a sports commentator.
Since the individual, now 81 years old, has never discussed his income or net worth in a public forum, it is possible that the amount he claims to earn is not accurate. In a similar vein, there is no evidence that he is active on any social media network.
Eric Clifford Drysdale was not only a very good athlete but also a very good-looking man. The former tennis pro stands approximately 6 feet 2.5 inches tall and weighs close to 76 kilograms.
cliff drysdale with his wife dianne
Where Is Cliff Drysdale Today?
The Baha Mar Cup is widely regarded as the most prestigious celebrity tennis charity tournament held in the Caribbean. It is scheduled to take place from Friday, December 9, through Sunday, December 11, and Cliff Drysdale is widely regarded as the tournament’s director.
The top players and fans on the tour are invited to attend the Baha Mar Cup for an exciting weekend filled with clinics, exhibition matches, and celebrations in honor of two worthy causes. These events are designed to raise public awareness and donations for the Bahamian youth tennis community, improve public tennis facilities, and provide an opportunity for children who are at risk.
The former tennis player, who is now retired, and his wife, Dianna Drysdale, currently make their home in Austin, Texas, in the United States, where the former tennis player is making the most of his time in retirement.
Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Handsome Eight, which was a group of sportsmen that were signed by Lamar Hunt in 1968 for the newly founded professional World Championship Tennis (WCT) organization.
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) was established in 1972 by him, Donald Dell, and Jack Kramer, and he was elected to serve as the organization’s first president. According to Lance Tingay of the Daily Telegraph, Drysdale was the fourth-best player in the world in the year 1965.
Cliff Drysdale Bio
Eric Clifford Drysdale is a well-known former tennis player from South Africa. He was born on May 26th, 1941. After a successful career as a professional tennis player in the 1960s and early 1970s, the player went on to become a well-known tennis commentator.
Drysdale reached the singles final of the U. S. Championships in 1965 (beating Dennis Ralston and Rafael Osuna before losing to Manuel Santana). He was one of the Handsome Eight, a group of players signed by Lamar Hunt in 1968 for the newly formed professional World Championship Tennis (WCT) group. [6] He became president of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in 1972, when it was formed by himself, Jack Kramer, and Donald Dell. [7] He was a member of the group of players known as the Handsome Eight. In 1965, Drysdale achieved a ranking of No. 4 in the world thanks to Lance Tingay of The Daily Telegraph.
In 1963 and 1964, he triumphed in the singles competition in the Dutch Open, which was held in Hilversum. In 1965, he triumphed over Boro Jovanovic in the final of the singles competition at the German Championships to claim the singles championship. During his career in the Open era, Drysdale won five singles titles and six doubles titles, including the US Open doubles trophy with Roger Taylor in 1972. In total, he won ten trophies in the Open era. In 1968, he advanced to the fourth round of the first United States Open by defeating Rod Laver. [USA Today, 11 July 2013]: “He was a pioneer of the two-handed backhand, which he employed to great effect during the 1960s.” “He was a pioneer of the two-handed backhand.” After hanging up his cleats, he underwent the process to become a naturalized citizen of the United States. Along with his business partner Don Henderson, he established Cliff Drysdale Tennis, a company that specializes in the management of tennis operations at resorts, hotels, and clubs.
Since the beginning of ESPN in 1979, Drysdale has been a part of the network’s coverage of tennis in the capacity of a commentator.
Drysdale was honored by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) with the William M. Johnston award in 1998 for his contributions to men’s tennis. Drysdale was given into into the International Tennis Hall of Fame the following year (2013).
Full name
Eric Clifford Drysdale
Country (sports)
South Africa
Residence
Austin, Texas, United States
Born
26 May 1941
Nelspruit, South Africa
Height
1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Turned pro
1968 (amateur from 1962)
Retired
1980
Plays
Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Int. Tennis HoF
2013 (member page)
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