Bill Tully Explained

William J. Tully
Fullname:William Joseph Tully
Country: United States
Birth Date: 9 December 1925
Birth Place:Bronxville, New York, United States
Death Date: (aged 90)
Death Place:Pelham Manor, New York, United States
Retired:1971
Singlestitles:20+
Usopenresult:1942, 1948, 1951, 1952 (2R), 1953, 1954 (2R), 1955–1957, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1966

William Tully (9 December 1925 – 21 July 2016)[1] was an American tennis player from the early 1940s to the early 1970s.

Career

Tully was the son of Leo and Catharine Tully. After graduating from Iona Preparatory School, he attended the University of Notre Dame, earning a double major. He was a commissioned officer in the US Navy Air Corps and following graduation, joined the family publishing business before going onto join the New York Stock Exchange as a seat owner and specialist.

Tully began his amateur tennis career in 1942, losing in the first round of the US championships to Bill Talbert.

In 1948 he achieved the biggest tournament victory of his career when he won the Canadian championships. The Toronto Star said Tully "looks something like Jack Kramer".[2] The Montreal Gazette, describing his final victory in straight sets over Henri Rochon said Tully "beat him (Rochon) at drop shots, the Canadian Davis Cup player's favorite game".[3] After the match Rochon said "everything he did was perfect. I had a chance in the second set but he was too good".

Amongst many tournament victories, he won the New York State Championship three times, his last title coming in 1966 when he was 40 years old.[4]

After retiring from the circuit, Tully continued to play in senior competitions. He won the US National Grandfather-Grandson Championship four times with three different grandsons. Tully married and had nine children.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: William J. Tully Obituary. Pelham Funeral Home. 19 October 2024.
  2. News: 31 July 1948. Tennis. The Toronto Star. 19 October 2024.
  3. News: 2 August 1948. Tully wins Canadian tennis title. The Montreal Gazette. 19 October 2024.
  4. News: 4 July 1966. Tully captures State Net Title; Beats Kahn in 5-Set Final. The New York Times. 19 October 2024.