Thomas B. Edlefsen (born December 12, 1941) is a former professional tennis player from the United States.

Tom Edlefsen
Full nameThomas B. Edlefsen
Country (sports)United States United States
Born (1941-12-12) December 12, 1941 (age 83)
Piedmont, California, U.S.
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
PlaysRight-handed
Singles
Career record51–93
Career titles1
Highest rankingNo. 94 (June 3, 1974)
Grand Slam singles results
French Open1R (1968, 1969, 1973)
Wimbledon4R (1968)
US Open3R (1962, 1965)
Doubles
Career record69–75
Career titles1

Career

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Edlefsen was a member of three NCAA Championship winning teams while at the University of Southern California, in 1963, 1964 and 1966. He was a three time All-American.[1]

He won the U.S. National Hardcourt doubles titles in 1963 and 1965.[1]

At the U.S. National Indoors in 1964, Edlefsen had wins over both Arthur Ashe and Roy Emerson.[2]

In 1967, he developed a nerve disease, Guillain–Barré syndrome, after suffering a reaction to a smallpox vaccination he had while with the Air Force Reserves. He was left with total paralysis.[3]

He recovered after six months in hospital and returned to tennis, notably making the fourth round at the 1968 Wimbledon Championships, along the way defeating 14th seed Cliff Drysdale. Raymond Moore defeated him in the fourth round over five sets.[4]

In 1972, Edlefsen won a singles title at the Kansas City Open and a doubles title at the Washington Indoor tournament.[1]

Grand Prix/WCT career finals

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Singles: 1 (1–0)

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Result W/L Year Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 1972 Kansas City, United States Carpet   Erik van Dillen 6–3, 6–3

Doubles: 3 (1–2)

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Result W/L Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1–0 1972 Washington D.C., United States Carpet   Cliff Richey   Clark Graebner
  Thomaz Koch
6–4, 6–3
Loss 1–1 1974 Barcelona, Spain Carpet   Tom Leonard   Arthur Ashe
  Roscoe Tanner
3–6, 4–6
Loss 1–2 1974 Tucson, United States Hard   Manuel Orantes   Charlie Pasarell
  Sherwood Stewart
4–6, 4–6

References

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  1. ^ a b c ATP World Tour Profile
  2. ^ Montreal Gazette, "Unseeded Tom Edlefsen Upsets Roy Emerson", February 21, 1964, p. 24
  3. ^ Los Angeles Times, "Tom Edlefsen Beats Virus", June 30, 1968
  4. ^ ITF Pro Circuit Profile
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