Tennis Career
He debuted on the international tennis scene in 1929 when the touring Racing Club de Paris visited Japan for a series of exhibition matches. He notably defeated tennis legends Jacques Brugnon, Raymond Rodel and Pierre Landry, only losing to Henri Cochet.
In 1930 he was the runner-up for the Japanese championships, which he finally did win the next year. Also in 1930 he was a runner-up for the Mid-Pacific Invitational tournament losing to American Cranston Holman and the doubles final as well.
In 1931 he lost the Miramar L. T. C. title in Juan-les-Pins against his brother Hyotare Sato, won the doubles, and was a finalist in mixed doubles. He clinched the West-England Championship in singles and doubles. He was defeated by Jean Borotra for the British Covered Court Championships title. He partnered with his brother to gain the Beausite Club de Cannes second meeting trophy and the St. Raphaël T.C. title. In singles competition he claimed the Country Club de Monte-Carlo second meeting title (the same tournament in which the Sato brothers reached the doubles final). He became Dutch doubles champion alongside Minoru Kawachi. In July he beat Vernon Kirby for the Tunbridge Wells Championship. He captured the Midland Counties Championships in singles and mixed doubles the same month and only losing the doubles final.
Between July and November 1931 he won 13 singles titles in Great Britain.
He met Fred Perry twice for the Pacific Southwest Championships title in 1932 and 1933, losing both times. In Davis Cup he won 22 rubbers and lost only 6 compiling a 79% winning record.
Read more about this topic: Jiro Sato
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