Budge, Don (1915-2000), was an American tennis champion. In 1938, Budge became the first man to win the world’s four major tennis championships, later called the Grand Slam, in the same year. He won Wimbledon in England, and the United States, French, and the Australian championships. Budge was known for his powerful shot making. Many tennis historians rank his backhand stroke as the finest in the sport’s history.
John Donald Budge was born on June 13, 1915, in Oakland, California. He played on the United States teams that won the Davis Cup in 1937 and 1938. He turned professional in 1939 and won the U. S. Pro Championships in 1940 and 1942. He retired in 1941. Budge died on Jan. 26, 2000.
