Daniel Prenn

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Dr. Daniel Prenn (b. September 7, 1904, in Vilna; d. September 3, 1991) was a German and British tennis player.

[edit] Tennis career

The tennis star was the world’s 8th ranked player in 1929 by Bill Tilden, number 6 in 1932 by England’s A. Wallis Myers, and number 7 in 1934 by American Lawn Tennis.

Following Davis Cup triumphs over Britain’s top seeds Fred Perry and Bunny Austin and a victory over America’s Frank Shields in 1932, Prenn was labeled “Europe’s number one man” by American Lawn Tennis magazine.[1]

Representing Germany in Davis Cup competition 1928 through 1932, Prenn played 13 events, winning 21 matches and losing 10.[2]

Prenn was ranked # 1 in Germany for four straight years, from 1928 to 1932.

He was then barred from competition in 1933 when the Nazis came to power.

Despite his major success on the court, the German Tennis Federation passed these resolutions (in part) in April 1933:

“1. No Jew may be selected for a national team or the Davis Cup.

2. No Jewish or Marxist club or association may be affiliated with the German Tennis Federation.

3. No Jew may hold an official position in the Federation.”

4. The player Dr. Prenn (a Jew) will not be selected for the Davis Cup team in 1933.”

Although amateur stars Perry and Austin of Britain protested in a strong letter published in The Times, the International Lawn Tennis Association did not take any action.[3] Soon after, Prenn moved to England and became a British subject. Although he continued to play competitive tennis, he never matched the brilliance that once was his.