British · Stockport, England · Born 18 May 1909Fred Perry — the last Briton to win Wimbledon, and one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.
Fred Perry was born on 18 May 1909 in Stockport, Cheshire, England. He won eight Grand Slam titles — three Wimbledon titles, three US Championships, one French Open and one Australian Open — between 1933 and 1936. He was ranked world No. 1 from 1934 to 1936. Perry was one of the first global tennis superstars and also a world-class table tennis player, winning the 1929 World Table Tennis Championship. When he won Wimbledon in 1936, it was the start of a 77-year wait until Andy Murray finally won for Britain again in 2013. He died in 1995.
He was the first player in tennis history to win all four Grand Slam tournaments, completing the Career Grand Slam.
He also won the 1929 World Table Tennis Championship — one of the only people to be world champion in two completely different racket sports.
Did You Know?How They Played
Perry was known for his aggressive, attacking style of play with a devastating forehand that he hit with heavy topspin. He possessed exceptional court coverage and stamina, allowing him to outlast opponents in long rallies while maintaining his aggressive approach throughout matches.
Lasting Impact
Perry's achievements established him as Britain's greatest tennis player and his Wimbledon dominance remained unmatched by any British man for 77 years until Andy Murray's 2013 victory.
Career Honours
- Wimbledon 1934
- Wimbledon 1935
- Wimbledon 1936
- US Championships 3x
- French Open 1935
- Australian Open 1934
British Athletes