Raz Reid Explained

Raz Reid
Fullname:Grover Eugene Reid
Birth Date:27 August 1951
Birth Place:Greenville, South Carolina
College:University of Miami
Turnedpro:1972
Retired:1977
Singlesrecord:44–84
Singlestitles:0
Highestsinglesranking:No. 71 (November 6, 1974)
Australianopenresult:3R (1975)
Frenchopenresult:1R (1976)
Wimbledonresult:2R (1975, 1976)
Usopenresult:3R (1974)
Doublesrecord:38–71
Doublestitles:2
Australianopendoublesresult:2R (1975)
Frenchopendoublesresult:2R (1976)
Wimbledondoublesresult:2R (1974)
Usopendoublesresult:2R (1974, 1976)
Mixed:yes
Wimbledonmixedresult:QF (1977)
Usopenmixedresult:2R (1973, 1974, 1977)

Grover Eugene "Raz" Reid (born August 27, 1951[1]) is a former professional tennis player from the United States. He was born Grover Reid Junior, but is known as Raz Reid, a nickname he has had since he was a young.[2]

Biography

Early years

Reid was a three-time South Carolina state high school champion, while at Greenville High School, in the city of his birth.[3] He went to the University of Miami and twice earned All-American selection while playing varsity tennis, in 1971 and 1972.[4]

Professional career

In 1972, his final year at Miami, he made he decision to delay his graduation and turned professional.[5]

Reid made the semifinals at the 1973 International Indoor Tennis Championships, a USLTA Indoor Circuit tournament in Jackson, Mississippi.[6] In the quarterfinals he defeated Clark Graebner.[7] He also competed on the World Championship Tennis circuit.[8] At a WCT tournament in Hempstead in 1974, Reid beat former French Open finalist Željko Franulović. He won two doubles titles in his career, both in the 1974 season, the first was a USLTA Indoor tournament in Jackson with Fred McNair and the second a Grand Prix event in Adelaide with Allan Stone.[9]

His best Grand Slam singles performances were third round appearances at the 1974 US Open and 1975 Australian Open. He was eliminated at the Australian Open by Jimmy Connors, but won a set and was the only player to do so until Connors was beaten in the final by John Newcombe.[10] He made the mixed doubles quarter-finals at the 1977 Wimbledon Championships with wife Kerry Reid and also finished runner-up in the All England Plate after a first-round elimination in the singles draw.[11]

Personal life

Reid married Australian tennis player and Boston Lobsters teammate Kerry Melville in Greenville on April 27, 1975.[2] [12] He retired from professional tennis in 1977 to become Kerry's coach. After they both retired, Reid was the head tennis professional at Long Cove on Hilton Head Island for eight years. They have two daughters.[13]

A keen fisherman, Reid holds world records in fly rod fishing and now works in the industry.[14]

Grand Prix career finals

Doubles: 2 (2–0)

ResultW-LYearTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentScore
Win1–0Mar 1974Jackson, United StatesCarpet Fred McNair3–6, 6–3, 6–3
Win2–0Oct 1974Melbourne, AustraliaGrass Allan Stone7–6, 6–4

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grover Raz Reid Bio ATP Tour Tennis. ATP Tour. 2019-01-10.
  2. News: For Evonne and Kerry a Couple of Love Matches. McGann. George. May 28, 1975. The Australian Women's Weekly. 2. 8 January 2016.
  3. Web site: All-American Monday - Grover "Raz" Reid. December 10, 2012. University of Miami Hurricanes Official Athletic Site. 8 January 2016.
  4. Web site: Miami Hurricanes History: All-Americans. March 2, 2011. University of Miami Hurricanes Official Athletic Site. 8 January 2016.
  5. News: Reid Interested In Experience As Pro - Not Money. Cox. Bill. June 4, 1972. Herald-Journal. C2. 8 January 2016.
  6. News: Tennis. March 24, 1973. The Free Lance-Star. 9. 8 January 2016.
  7. News: After First Pro Year - Raz Reid Is Happy. Hembree. Mike. June 3, 1973. Herald-Journal. B3. 8 January 2016.
  8. News: The Greening of Raz Reid. Chick. Bob. February 8, 1974. St. Petersburg Independent. Section C. 8 January 2016.
  9. News: Reid, Stone Win Doubles. October 28, 1974. Herald-Journal. B3. 8 January 2016.
  10. News: Connors, Newcombe win. . . ACT . 30 December 1974 . 8 January 2016 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  11. Web site: Players Archive - Raz Reid. wimbledon.com. 8 January 2016.
  12. News: For Evonne and Kerry a couple of love matches . . 42 . 52 . Australia . 28 May 1975 . 2–3 . National Library of Australia.
  13. Web site: Kerry (Melville) Reid - Player Profiles. Tennis Australia. 8 January 2016.
  14. Web site: Raz Reid. Florida Keys Outfitters. 8 January 2016.