Harold Solomon - Tennis Career

Tennis Career

Solomon began playing tennis at the age of five, and as a junior player he was ranked as high as No. 2 in the United States in the 14, 16, and 18 age groups, and won the U.S. Boys 18 Clay Court Championship.

He earned All-America honors at Rice University in (Texas) at the close of his sophomore year. At Rice he was a member of Wiess College.

He then turned professional in 1972, and won his first pro singles titles in Washington, D.C. in 1974.

Solomon would go on to reach the singles final at the French Open in 1976, falling to Adriano Panatta. He also reached the semifinals at the French Open in 1974 and 1980, and was a quarterfinalist in 1972 and 1975.

At the U.S. Open, he was a semifinalist in 1977. He also won the tournament now known as the Cincinnati Masters twice (in 1977 and 1980), and was a finalist at the 1976 and 1978 United States Pro Championships.

Solomon captured a total of 22 professional singles titles . His professional career won-loss record is 564–315, and his career prize money winnings is $1,802,769 (not including the Senior Tour).

He ranked among the world's Top 10 singles players four out of five consecutive years: 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1980.

In 1980, his best year, he won 64 matches and lost 23. Also that year, Playgirl Magazine named him one of the 10 sexiest men of the year.

Solomon was ranked in the world's Top 20 for 7 consecutive years between 1974 and 1980.

He and his doubles partner, Eddie Dibbs, were dubbed "The Bagel Twins." They reached the No. 4 doubles ranking in the world in 1976, and ranked in the world doubles Top 10 from 1974 to 1976.