Alex Olmedo

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Luis Alejandro ("Alex") Rodríguez Olmedo (born March 24, 1936 in Arequipa) is a former tennis player from Peru, who was ranked as the number 1 amateur player in the world in 1959. Although born and raised in Peru, he graduated with a business degree from the University of Southern California (USC) in the United States. While at USC, he won the NCAA singles and doubles championships in 1956 and 1958. ( In 1957, USC was excluded from NCAA competition).

Olmedo represented the United States on the International Davis Cup team in 1958/1959, winning in both singles and doubles -- achieving 2 of the 3 points required to win the Davis Cup. He won the Wimbledon and Australian Open singles titles in 1959 as well as being a finalist in the US Open Championships in the same year losing to the same person he defeated in the Australian Open. At Wimbledon, he defeated Rod Laver in 3 sets in 71 minutes 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

He was inducted into the international Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987. Alex Olmedo was the first Latin American to win the Wimbledon men's singles title.

[edit] Grand Slam singles finals

[edit] Wins (2)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1959 Australian Championships Neale Fraser 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
1959 Wimbledon Championships Rod Laver 6-4, 6-3, 6-4

[edit] Runner-ups (1)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1959 U.S. Championships Neale Fraser 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4