In Memoriam: Hall of Famer Ashley Cooper
By Joel Drucker, ITHF Historian-At-Large
The International Tennis Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Ashley Cooper, an Australian tennis legend whose glory days came during that nation’s golden era of global dominance. Cooper, 83, died on May 22, following a long illness.
A winner of eight majors and number one player in the world, Cooper was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991.
"Ashley was one of the great Australian champions. He was not only a champion on the court, but was well-respected and liked off the court as well - a true Hall of Famer. He contributed tremendously to helping tennis thrive in Australia, particularly in Brisbane. His impact will not be forgotten and his legacy is one of accomplishment, service to the sport, and kindness," stated ITHF President Stan Smith.
Like each of his Aussie mates, the man nicknamed “Coop” had his own distinct brand of charisma. In his 2019 book, “The Golden Era,” Rod Laver wrote: “Muscular, darkly handsome with a shiny black quiff that Elvis would have envied, Ashley Cooper reminded many of a 1950s rock star who had traded his guitar for a tennis racquet.”
Ashley John Cooper was born in Melbourne on September 15, 1936. The child of schoolteachers, it was not surprising to know that young Ashley was exceptionally studious – taught to play by his father from an instructional book authored by the great Don Budge. By his late teens, Cooper was proficient enough to earn a spot alongside his peer, Roy Emerson, on the traveling Australian Davis Cup team.
At 5’ 10” tall, Cooper worked exceptionally hard on his fitness, putting in long hours on the court, on the track and in the gym to hone his attacking, net-rushing game.
By the time Cooper turned 20 at the end of ‘56, he was ready to leap to the top. In 1957, Cooper reached the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships, played on Australia’s Davis Cup-winning team and at the end of the year was ranked number one in the world.
The next year was even better. In 1958, Cooper took the singles titles at three Grand Slams – Australia, Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships, his only loss in a major coming in the semis of Roland Garros.
In 1959, Cooper joined Jack Kramer’s troupe of barnstorming pros. Besides wanting to compete versus the world’s best, Cooper valued the chance to earn income from tennis, particularly since he’d become engaged. His future bride was also quite famous. Helen Wood had been named Miss Australia in 1957. When the two were married in Brisbane, more than 3,000 fans were outside the doors.
Cooper’s perpetual diligence continued after his retirement from tennis in the early ‘60s. He studied real estate at the Queensland University of Technology and soon spent time as a developer. From there, Cooper launched a company that helped install tennis courts throughout Australia, opened a tennis and squash facility in Brisbane and in 2000 became involved in tennis administration. Serving as the president of Tennis Queensland, Cooper oversaw the creation of the Queensland Tennis Centre, including Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.
Of Cooper's passing, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley stated, "Ashley was a giant of the game both as a brilliant player and an astute administrator and he will be greatly missed. His contribution to the sport went far beyond his exploits on the tennis court. His rich legacy includes the magnificent Queensland Tennis Centre, a project he was passionate about, nurturing the development from the very beginning, and resulting in the return of world-class international tennis to Brisbane. Ashley was also the most humble of champions and a great family man. Our hearts go out to his wife Helen and his family, along with his wide and international circle of friends, including so many of our tennis family.
Cooper's great friend and peer, Rod Laver tweeted, "So sad to hear of Ashley’s passing. He was a wonderful champion, on and off the court. And what a backhand! So many cherished memories. Farewell my friend. My thoughts are with Ashley’s wife, Helen, and his family.”
Ashley CooperAustralian tennis great Ashley Cooper was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991.
