Background
Crealy was born in Sydney in 1944.
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Dick Crealy
Edit ProfileCareer
There is some confusion over the 1969 United States Open Championship title, which is held by Crealy and Allan Stone conjointly with Ken Rosewall and Fred Stolle. The era of Open Tennis commenced in 1968 and at that time, Boston was the home of the United States National Doubles. However, the agents of some contract professionals demanded guaranteed prize money which could not be covered by the tournament.
In 1971, the USTA and Association of Tennis Professionals decided to combine the winners of both tournaments to make the Grand Slam tournament.
Crealy and Stone were asked if they would agree to share the 1969 title with Rosewall and Stolle - they readily agreed, especially as the latter were two of the great Australian players and because "tennis was played with much goodwill in those days."
In 1970, Crealy had his most successful season, reaching Number. 5 on the Grand Prix rankings.
In this year, he reached the singles finals at the Australian Open, where he lost to American player Arthur Ashe, as well as the quarter-finals of the French Open. Crealy retired from the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour in 1978, but continued having success for many years on the Veteran"s Tour, playing in many of the "Legends" tournaments at the Australian Open.
He also still plays Pro-Ams, often supporting The Starlight Foundation in their annual tournament in Sydney.
Singles
= Runners-up (1) Doubles
= Titles (2) Mixed Doubles
= Titles (1)
Singles (2)
Singles Finals (2)
1970: Australian Open (against Arthur Ashe)
1972: Kitzbühel (against Colin Dibley).
Achievements
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In 1968 he achieved his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open with his fellow countryman and teammate Allan Stone in doubles. He also won the mixed doubles with Billie Jean King. Accordingly, contract professionals boycotted the tournament, with many playing instead at Forest Hills which was won by Rosewall and Stolle. Crealy and Stone won the Doubles in Boston in 1969 as professionals, defeating Charlie Pasarell and Bill Bowrey. This was not an issue for the winners of 1968 as both tournaments were won by Smith and Lutz. Crealy won the Men"s Doubles at the 1974 French Open with Onny Parun over Stan Smith and Bob Lutz. He also won the Swedish Open in Båstad and represented Australia in the Davis Cup with a 4–2 singles record and 2–0 doubles record. In 1974, he won another Grand Slam Title in doubles, combining with New Zealander Onny Parun in the French Open. Dick Crealy is a Life Member of the Australian Davis Cup Foundation.
