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The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2023

Don Budge

  • Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2023
  • Embed from Getty Images
  • Sport(s): Tennis
  • Statistics: 43 Singles Titles

    6 Singles Grand Slams

    569-278 Singles Record

    1 Australian Open Singles Title (1938)

    1 French Open Singles Title (1938)

    2 Wimbledon Singles Titles (1937 & 1938)

    2 U.S. Open Singles Titles (1937 & 1938)

    4 Doubles Grand Slams

    2 Wimbledon Doubles Titles (1937 & 1938)

    2 U.S. Open Doubles Titles (1937 & 1938)

    4 Mixed Doubles Grand Slams

    2 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Titles (1937 & 1938)

    2 U.S. Open Mixed Doubles Titles (1937 & 1938)

    2 AP Male Athlete of the Year Awards (1937 & 1938)

    1 James R. Sullivan Award (1937)

    Member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame
  • Don Budge was one of the first early stars of tennis, and what he accomplished in 1938 has still never been duplicated by any American.

    Prior to that year, the native of Oakland had dramatically improved his grass court game after having played exclusively on the hard-court surfaces in California. In 1937, Budge won the triple crown (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) at both the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, becoming the first player to do that twice in one year.

    1938 was even more spectacular for Budge. Not only did he replicate the triple crown at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, but he also won the Singles at French Open and Australian Open, making him the second player to win the Grand Slam in a calendar year, and he is still the youngest to do so. Notably, he remains the only American male to accomplish this feat.

    This was a far different time than the tour era, and the Grand Slams were amateur events. Budge turned pro in 1939, where he won four Majors (two U.S. Pros, One Wembley Pro, and one French Pro).

    Budge joined the U.S. military in 1942, and during an obstacle course, he tore a muscle in his shoulder. He would still compete and had classic matches against Bobby Riggs, but he never won another major.

    Despite his lack of success after World War II, what Budge accomplished before that is legendary.

    We are proud to nominate Don Budge for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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