Thomas B. Edlefsen (born December 12, 1941) is a former professional

tennis Tennis is a racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball ...

player from the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

Career

Edlefsen was a member of three NCAA Championship winning teams while at the

University of Southern California , mottoeng = "Let whoever earns the palm bear it" , religious_affiliation = Nonsectarian—historically Methodist , established = , accreditation = WSCUC , type = Private research university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $8.1 ...

, in 1963, 1964 and 1966. He was a three time All-American.ATP World Tour Profile
/ref> He won the U.S. National Hardcourt doubles titles in 1963 and 1965. At the U.S. National Indoors in 1964, Edlefsen had wins over both

Arthur Ashe Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. (July 10, 1943 – February 6, 1993) was an American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam singles titles. He started to play tennis at six years old. He was the first black player selected to the Un ...

and

Roy Emerson Roy Stanley Emerson (born 3 November 1936) is an Australian former tennis player who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 Grand Slam doubles titles, for a total of 28 Grand Slam titles. He is the only male player to have completed a caree ...

. In 1967, he developed a nerve disease,

Guillain–Barré syndrome Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. Typically, both sides of the body are involved, and the initial symptoms are changes in sensation or pain oft ...

, after suffering a reaction to a smallpox vaccination he had while with the Air Force Reserves. He was left with total paralysis. He recovered after six months in hospital and returned to tennis, notably making the fourth round at the

1968 Wimbledon Championships The 1968 Wimbledon Championships was a combined men's and women's tennis tournament that took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament was held from Mo ...

, along the way defeating 14th seed

Cliff Drysdale Eric Clifford Drysdale (born 26 May 1941) is a South African former tennis player. After a career as a highly ranked professional player in the 1960s and early 1970s, he became a well-known tennis announcer. Drysdale won the singles title at t ...

. Raymond Moore defeated him in the fourth round over five sets.ITF Pro Circuit Profile
/ref> In 1972, Edlefsen won a singles title at the Kansas City Open and a doubles title at the Washington Indoor tournament.

Grand Prix/WCT career finals

Singles: 1 (1–0)

Doubles: 3 (1–2)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Edlefsen, Tom 1941 births Living people American male tennis players Tennis players from California USC Trojans men's tennis players