Bill Bond (tennis)

For the 19th century player, see William S. Bond (tennis).
Bill Bond
Full name William Bond Jr.
Residence La Jolla, California, United States
Born 1942
Died (aged 71)
College USC

William "Bill" Bond Jr. (1942 – August 18, 2013) was an American tennis player.

He entered high-level competition at an early age, reaching the second round of the 1958 U.S. National Championships. He continued to meet with success while attending the University of Southern California. He was a three-time All-American as part of a USC tennis team which won three consecutive NCAA Championships.[1] In 1964, he and Dennis Ralston won the NCAA doubles title.[2] William Kellogg, President of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, later reflected, "Bill was No. 7 in the all-time Boys' junior tennis rankings in Southern California (1960–1995). Other players ranked behind him included Jimmy Connors, Stan Smith, Michael Chang, Raúl Ramírez, and even Pete Sampras. Bill was a player!"[1]

He was a member of the United States Junior Davis Cup team for three years, and of the United States Davis Cup team in 1963. He was ranked in the top 10 nationally as a singles player and played in 10 Grand Slam events.[1][3]

Bond became the head teaching pro at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club and remained in the position for 34 years. His students included Terry Holladay, Alex O'Brien, Raúl Ramírez, and Chico Hagey.[4] He and his father H. William Bond won the USTA National Father & Son Hard Court Championships five times.[1][5]

Bill Bond retired in August 2005 and moved to Kauai with his wife Suzie.[5] He died on August 18, 2013 at age 71.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Winters, Mark. "William (Bill) Bond Passes Away". USTA Southern California. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  2. ↑ Norcross, Dan (August 22, 2013). "Famous La Jolla tennis player dies". U-T San Diego. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Leach, Bond, Van't Hof Headline ITA Induction Ceremony". USC Trojans. May 22, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Bill Bond (1942-2013)". San Diego District Tennis Association. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Schwab, Margo (August 18, 2005). "Society Whispers: Bond, Bill Bond, the ’007' of Tennis Retires". Retrieved April 5, 2014.