Biography
Gerulaitis was born on July 26, 1954, in Brooklyn, NY, to Lithuanian immigrant parents, and grew up in Howard Beach, Queens. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, graduating in 1971. He attended Columbia College of Columbia University for one year before dropping out to pursue tennis full-time. By 1978 he was the third-ranked men's singles player in the world. Gerulaitis was coached by Fred Stolle from 1977 until 1983.
Gerulaitis was known for his exceptionally quick hands at the net and his outstanding court coverage. With his dash of long blond hair he was a precursor (in style at least) to Andre Agassi. In 1985 Gerulaitis teamed with Bobby Riggs to launch a challenge to female players after the famous Battle of the Sexes. The stunt, however, was short-lived when Gerulaitis and Riggs lost a doubles match against Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver.
Gerulaitis was a regular tennis commentator on the USA network between 1988 and 1994.
Gerulaitis coached Pete Sampras during the 1994 Italian Open in Rome, when Sampras' coach, Tim Gullikson, was on a family vacation. Sampras won the title by defeating Boris Becker in the final in straight sets.
Gerulaitis died on September 17, 1994, at the age of 40. While visiting a friend's home in Southampton, Long Island, a malfunction in a propane space heater caused carbon monoxide gas to seep into the guesthouse where Gerulaitis was sleeping, causing his death. Gerulaitis failed to show up for a dinner at 7pm that evening and his body was found the following day by a maid who went to the guesthouse. Gerulaitis is interred in Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York.
Read more about this topic: Vitas Gerulaitis
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