Australian tennis player Peter Doohan has died after a period suffering from motor neurone disease. He was 56.
A right-hander with a one-handed backhand who played during the 1980s and early 1990s is arguable most famous for ousting two-time defending champion Boris Becker in the second round of Wimbledon in 1987.
Doohan’s win would go down as one of the biggest shocks in grand slam history. Becker had taken Wimbledon by storm winning his first title in 1985 aged just 17 before repeating the feat a year later. Becker would go on to reclaim the Wimbledon title in 1989, and would play in a further three finals.
Doohan’s victory over Becker was the only time he defeated a top-seeded player and defending champion in a grand slam. Doohan would go on to reach the fourth round before losing to Slobodan Zivojinovic.
Doohan also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in 1987, in a run that also included a scalp when he beat former Wimbledon and Australian Open finalist Kevin Curren. The South African was the eighth seed that year. 1987 saw the Australian Open played on grass. Doohan lost to Swede Anders Jarryd.
Jarryd would prove to be Doohan’s nemesis once again when the two met on opposite sides in Doohan’s only grand slam final appearance in men’s doubles. Doohan, partnered with Laurie Warder, lost to Jarryd and his partner Stefan Edberg in straight sets in the 1987 Australian Open.
Doohan will be remembered for a fine career and his shock of the decade win over Becker. Australian tennis player Peter Doohan has died aged 56.
