This Is Your Life: Frank Sedgman

Host Roger Climpson honours Frank Sedgman on an episode of This Is Your Life in 1979. This clip includes an appearance by his wife Jean and footage of his winning Wimbledon in 1952.

From 1948 to 1952 Frank Sedgman won 22 major titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. With his doubles partner Ken McGregor, he won all four majors in 1951 and only just missed repeating the achievement in 1952 when they won the Australian, French and Wimbledon championships but were runners-up in the US.

His success came during a time when tennis was becoming a professional sport, splitting from the amateur circuit. The ‘special wedding present’ referred to in this clip was a fundraising drive led by Harry Hopman to keep Sedgman as an amateur. Sedgman retained his amateur status for only another year, deciding to turn professional in 1953.