Davis Cup winning tennis player Bob Giltinan ‘chuffed’ at OAM nod

AS a boy growing up in Campsie Bob Giltinan peered over his garden fence and watched with envy as the four girls next door played on their tennis court. One day he jumped the fence, grabbed a racquet and challenged them to a rally. The rest, as they say, is history.

Bob Giltinan playing at the SA Championships match at Memorial Drive, North Adelaide, 05 Dec 1975.

AS a boy growing up in Campsie Bob Giltinan peered over his garden fence and watched with envy as the four girls next door played on their tennis court.

One day he jumped the fence, grabbed a racquet and challenged them to a rally.

The rest, as they say, is history.

He enjoyed a glittering career on the pro circuit, playing with and against all the greats, before retiring and devoting himself to community and charity.

For his efforts he has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“I’m really chuffed,” the 69-year-old who has lived on the northern beaches for more than 30 years, said.

“It means a lot to me.”

Ross Case and Bob Giltinan (right) pictured in 1973 on their way to compete for Australia's Davis Cup squad

Giltinan began his professional career in the late 1960s but had to put it on hold in 1971 to complete two years on National Service during the Vietnam War.

When he returned he made it count, winning both singles and doubles titles and achieving a career-high ranking of world number 16.

His best result in a grand slam was in 1977 when he reached the semi final of the Australian Open.

Rod Laver was on top of the world when Bob started his career. Photo: STR / CENTRAL PRESS / AFP)

John Newcombe was one of his fiercest competitors

He was also notably in the winning Davis Cup squads of 1973 and 1977.

“I played with and against all the great: Laver, Borg, Newcombe, Roche.

“My highlights were the semi final at the Australian Open and of course the Davis Cup. Growing up that was everything.”

He retired in is thirties but remained involved in the game as a coach and Davis Cup selector.

On moving to the northern beaches he also threw himself into community and charity initiatives.

Bob Giltinan pictured a couple of years ago at Manly Dam Memorial Park, of which he is president. Pic Adam Yip/ Manly Daily

Among his many roles include President of the Northern Beaches Pigeon Racing Federation (of which he remains), founder member of the Curl Curl Youth and Community Centre Management Committee and honorary member of Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club.

The Cromer Heights resident even got involved in politics and served as a Warringah councillor between 2008 and 2016, including a stint as deputy mayor.

He’s received many awards over the years including the Australian Sports Medal and was inducted into the Davis Cup Hall of Fame.

However, the OAM tops them all.

“My grandfather was gassed in Gallipoli but then returned and served in the Second World War as well.

He described Ashleigh Barty as a breath of fresh air. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)

“He never wanted to talk about the war but one day I sat him down and made him. I asked him why he served again after what had happened at Gallipoli.

“He said: ‘three words my son: Queen, flag and country’. I’ve been a monarchist ever since that so it means a lot.”

On Australia’s current crop of tennis stars he described Ash Barty as a “breath of fresh air”.

“Nothing ruffles her feathers. She’s a great player.”

Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios he described as “the two mad boys”.

However, he doesn’t have much time for Bernard Tomic (pictured) and Nick Kyrgios. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

“There’s just no respect. They’re talented, especially Kyrgios but there is just absolutely no respect. I don’t think he is going to change.

“He can win in one tournament more than Laver could in his career. But we never played for the money, it was the love of the game.”