By Scott Spits
The Australian tennis community is mourning the death of the former world No.1 and broadcasting icon “Fiery” Fred Stolle, who played in an era that featured Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Ken Rosewall, Tony Roche and John Newcombe.
A cherished member of Australia’s golden generation, Stolle spent his life championing his sport of choice and became an adored fixture in the commentary box. He was 86.
Australian tennis great Fred Stolle has died.Credit: Associated Press Photo
Stolle grew up in Hornsby on Sydney’s North Shore and had his first taste of the Davis Cup when he was selected as a ball boy in 1951.
In an era when Australia ruled the tennis world, Stolle held his own, good enough to win two grand slam singles titles – the 1965 Roland-Garros crown and the US Open the following year – on top of 17 other men’s doubles and mixed doubles major titles.
Australian tennis royalty and two-time calendar grand slam champion Rod Laver noted Stolle’s grand slam record, and how his friend was “in the finals of many more”. It took Stolle five lost major finals, including two Australian Opens, before he had the better of Roche in four sets in 1965 and became a singles major champion in Paris.
Stolle brought tennis to living rooms across the world. One fan noted simply on social media on Thursday: “Fred Stolle and [US commentator] Tony Trabert were my tennis soundtrack.”
Doubles legend Todd Woodbridge, who is carving his own TV tennis commentary career and regarded Stolle as a mentor, said Stolle was beloved for his demeanour and relaxed nature.
“I found and used Fred as a mentor, because as a young player I was always interested in media coming along, and he was obviously the main man, along with Newk [John Newcombe] and Tony Trabert for Channel Nine,” Woodbridge said.
“All of that generation of [great Australian] players ... were there helping us.
“From the first time I got to Wimbledon or was around those spaces, they were always there with encouragement but they would do it in that larrikin, Australian way, that was likeable in teaching you a message – of not to get too big for your boots, not to get in front of yourself, how to treat people, how to make the most of what talent you had.
“Let’s not forget – he was in the initial tennis broadcast team of ESPN in the United States. If you think of him being big on television here [in Australia], he was actually bigger there.”
Woodbridge said Stolle was simply likable, remembering how he’d gently poke fun at Ivan Lendl for his record in Wimbledon finals (two defeats). The Czech great Lendl won each of the other three majors at least twice.
“This is what Fred was good at – he took the mickey out of Lendl. He said ‘don’t feel sorry for yourself mate, I’ve had three losses in a row - all at Wimbledon. I was the first one to do it!’,” Woodridge recalled.
“He was that type of guy. He saw the funny side of those moments and he had fabulous sarcastic Australian humour.”
Former Australian Open boss Paul McNamee paid tribute to Stolle for “just being you”.
“Fiery Fred Stolle is no longer with us. What a player, what a commentator, what a bloke. One of that great group of Aussie tennis players who made history, and whose legacy is perhaps unrivalled,” McNamee wrote on X.
From left: Fred Stolle with fellow greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.Credit: Getty Images for The Laver Cup
“Thank you Fred for your wit, your friendship and for just being you. We’ll miss you.”
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said Stolle had a “profound love of tennis”.
“When we speak about Australia’s golden era and the progression from amateur to professionalism, Stolle’s name is right up there with the best,” Tiley said in a statement.
“A star member of Australia’s Davis Cup team, Fred made significant contributions to the sport following his decorated career, as a coach and astute commentator.”
Woodbridge recalled how Stolle was always uplifting others.
“It wasn’t that long ago that I got a note from him on Instagram,” Woodbridge said.
“It would have come in on a photo that I’d put up, saying ’congratulations … [on] how well I’d been doing because I’d taken on a game show.
“Again, that was Fiery – he was always making sure that everybody was going along all right, and happy for everybody to be successful.”
Laver echoed that message. “Fred Stolle was too nice a guy to hold a grudge,” he wrote on X.
“It took the best to beat the best. We never tired of reliving the past as we travelled the world looking into the future with an enduring love of the sport.
“You will be missed, Fiery, RIP.”
Stolle is survived by wife Pat, son Sandon Stolle – a former tennis professional himself – and daughters and daughters Monique and Nadine.
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