American · Oakland, USA · Born 13 June 1915 · Died 2000-01-26Don Budge was an American tennis player who in 1938 became the first player, man or woman, to win the calendar-year Grand Slam.
John Donald Budge was born on 13 June 1915 in Oakland, California, and developed into one of the most dominant amateur players in the sport's history, renowned for a powerful, all-court game built around what many contemporaries considered the finest backhand of his generation. Budge achieved the sport's first-ever calendar-year Grand Slam in 1938, winning the Australian, French, Wimbledon, and US Championships all in the same season — the first player, male or female, to accomplish the feat. He also became the second man, after Fred Perry, to complete a career Grand Slam across his amateur career. Budge won ten major titles in total, including six Grand Slam events won consecutively, a men's record, and four professional majors achieved across three different surfaces after he turned professional in 1939. His rivalry with fellow American Bobby Riggs and subsequent professional tours helped popularise the sport during the pre-Open Era, when professionals were barred from competing in the traditional Grand Slam tournaments. Budge served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, an injury sustained during a training exercise permanently affecting his shoulder and limiting his competitive career afterward. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1964, and died on 26 January 2000, at age 84, remembered as one of the pioneering figures whose achievements defined tennis before the sport's modern professional era began.
First player to complete the calendar-year Grand Slam
He was the first person in history to complete the Grand Slam — winning all four majors in one calendar year, in 1938.
Did You Know?How They Played
Budge possessed one of the most feared backhands in tennis history, a powerful and precise shot that could be hit with devastating effect from anywhere on the court. He combined exceptional athletic ability with solid technique across all strokes, featuring a strong serve and aggressive baseline game. His ability to hit winners from defensive positions and his consistency under pressure made him extremely difficult to defeat.
Lasting Impact
Don Budge's 1938 Grand Slam achievement set the standard for tennis excellence and remained unmatched in men's tennis until Rod Laver accomplished the feat in 1962 and again in 1969. His revolutionary backhand technique influenced generations of players and is still studied by coaches and players today.
Career Honours
- Calendar-year Grand Slam (1938)
- two-time Davis Cup champion with the USA
American Athletes