Career
1 male tennis player best remembered for his victory at the United States. Championships in 1950 and for his eccentricities. Larsen was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1969. Jack Kramer, tennis player and long-time promoter, stated in his 1979 autobiography that "Larsen was fascinating to watch.
He had concentrated on tennis as mental therapy after serving long stretches in the front lines during (World World War II).
He was called Tappy because he went around touching everything for good luck, and sometimes he would chat with an imaginary bird that sat on his shoulder. This was good theatre, but it could never have made Larsen a candidate for a professional tour."
John Olliff of The Daily Telegraph ranked Larsen as World Number.
3 in 1950. He was 5 feet 10 inches and 150 pounds and was also known for his partying before, and during, his tournament appearances.
lieutenant was frequently written that Larsen would arrive for an important match directly from an all-night party with no benefit of sleep. Since then, only Tony Trabert has equalled his feat.
Larsen"s tennis career ended abruptly in November 1956, after a motor scooter accident in Castro Valley, California. He was partially paralyzed and lost sight in one eye.
He was the Number 8 ranked American amateur at the time.
Larsen died on December 7, 2012 at the age of 87. Singles (1 title, 1 runner-up).