Harold Solomon
Encyclopedia
Harold Solomon was an American professional tennis player during the 1970s and 1980s. He achieved a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world in 1980.
He earned All-America honors at Rice University
in (Texas
) at the close of his sophomore year.http://books.google.com/books?id=GWE_lEPfHpIC&pg=PA262&lpg=PA262&dq=%22harold+solomon%22+rice+%22all+american%22&source=web&ots=LIDl3aq1c7&sig=qMYaeMzfXovxhMvarbTJ_zJWaa4 At Rice he was a member of Wiess College.
He then turned professional in 1972, and won his first pro singles titles in Washington, D.C.
in 1974.
Solomon would go on to reach the singles final at the French Open in 1976, falling to Adriano Panatta
. He also reached the semifinals at the French Open in 1974 and 1980, and was a quarterfinalist in 1972 and 1975.
At the U.S. Open
, he was a semifinalist in 1977. He also won the tournament now known as the Cincinnati Masters
twice (in 1977 and 1980), and was a finalist at the 1976 and 1978 United States Pro Championships.
Solomon captured a total of 22 professional singles titles http://www.solomontennis.com/staff.php. His professional career won-loss record is 564–315, and his career prize money winnings is $1,802,769 (not including the Senior Tour).http://sports.si.cnn.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=cnnsi&page=tennis-m/stat/player.aspx?PlayerID=487
He ranked among the world's Top 10 singles players four out of five consecutive years: 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1980.
In 1980, his best year, he won 64 matches and lost 23. Also that year, Playgirl Magazine named him one of the 10 sexiest men of the year.
Solomon was ranked in the world's Top 20 for 7 consecutive years between 1974 and 1980.
He and his doubles partner, Eddie Dibbs
, were dubbed "The Bagel Twins." They reached the No. 4 doubles ranking in the world in 1976, and ranked in the world doubles Top 10 from 1974 to 1976.
NH = tournament not held.
A = did not participate in the tournament.
Teams in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1978, going 9–4 in competition. His ’72 and ’78 teams won Davis Cup championships.
"When you played Harold", observed fellow pro Erik Van Dillen
, "you'd better bring your lunch and dinner – you might be out there all day." Solomon defended himself this way: "I guess it's not so exciting to see eight million balls hit back and forth, but I wonder, is it any more exciting to see Boris Becker
and Ivan Lendl
each hitting 40 aces?"
(ATP) from 1980 to 1983. After 1983 he served on the ATP Board of Directors.
in 2004.
, whom he tutored for five years.
He also helped Jennifer Capriati
return to top form in the late 1990s. He was initially contacted by Jennifer's father, but said he would not coach her until Jennifer called him herself. After she did, he helped lead her to two titles in 1999 and to the semifinals in the Australian Open. In 2000, however, Solomon and Capriati parted ways after he was frustrated by her lack of focus. She would then go on to win 3 Grand Slams
and obtain the Number One ranking.
He also aided and refined the careers of Jim Courier
, Justin Gimelstob
, Monica Seles
, Mirjana Lučić
, Anna Kournikova
, and Daniela Hantuchová
.http://www.solomontennis.com/staff.php Solomon has also coached players in the finals of Grand Slam
Events, and to Gold and Silver medals at the Olympic Games
.http://www.solomontennis.com/staff.php
In 2007 former world # 3 Brian Gottfried
joined the coaching staff at the Harold Solomon Tennis Institute in Fort Lauderdale.
Tennis career
Solomon began playing tennis at the age of five, and as a junior player he was ranked as high as No. 2 in the United States in the 14, 16, and 18 age groups, and won the U.S. Boys 18 Clay Court Championship.He earned All-America honors at Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in (Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) at the close of his sophomore year.http://books.google.com/books?id=GWE_lEPfHpIC&pg=PA262&lpg=PA262&dq=%22harold+solomon%22+rice+%22all+american%22&source=web&ots=LIDl3aq1c7&sig=qMYaeMzfXovxhMvarbTJ_zJWaa4 At Rice he was a member of Wiess College.
He then turned professional in 1972, and won his first pro singles titles in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1974.
Solomon would go on to reach the singles final at the French Open in 1976, falling to Adriano Panatta
Adriano Panatta
Adriano Panatta is a former professional tennis player from Italy. He is best remembered for winning the French Open in 1976, and for being the only player to ever defeat Björn Borg at Roland Garros, which he did on two occasions.-Career:...
. He also reached the semifinals at the French Open in 1974 and 1980, and was a quarterfinalist in 1972 and 1975.
At the U.S. Open
U.S. Open (tennis)
The US Open, formally the United States Open Tennis Championships, is a hardcourt tennis tournament which is the modern iteration of one of the oldest tennis championships in the world, the U.S. National Championship, which for men's singles was first contested in 1881...
, he was a semifinalist in 1977. He also won the tournament now known as the Cincinnati Masters
Cincinnati Masters
The Cincinnati Open is an annual outdoor hardcourts tennis event held in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason, Ohio, USA. The event started on September 18, 1899 and is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States played in its original city., Between...
twice (in 1977 and 1980), and was a finalist at the 1976 and 1978 United States Pro Championships.
Solomon captured a total of 22 professional singles titles http://www.solomontennis.com/staff.php. His professional career won-loss record is 564–315, and his career prize money winnings is $1,802,769 (not including the Senior Tour).http://sports.si.cnn.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=cnnsi&page=tennis-m/stat/player.aspx?PlayerID=487
He ranked among the world's Top 10 singles players four out of five consecutive years: 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1980.
In 1980, his best year, he won 64 matches and lost 23. Also that year, Playgirl Magazine named him one of the 10 sexiest men of the year.
Solomon was ranked in the world's Top 20 for 7 consecutive years between 1974 and 1980.
He and his doubles partner, Eddie Dibbs
Eddie Dibbs
Eddie Dibbs is a retired American tennis player. He attained a career high ranking of World No. 5 in July 1978.-Wins :-Runner-ups :-Grand Slam singles tournament timeline:...
, were dubbed "The Bagel Twins." They reached the No. 4 doubles ranking in the world in 1976, and ranked in the world doubles Top 10 from 1974 to 1976.
Runner-ups (1)
| Year | Championship | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
| 1976 | French Open |  Adriano PanattaAdriano Panatta Adriano Panatta is a former professional tennis player from Italy. He is best remembered for winning the French Open in 1976, and for being the only player to ever defeat Björn Borg at Roland Garros, which he did on two occasions.-Career:... |
1–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–7 |
Singles titles (22)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score |
| 1. | 1974 | Washington, D.C. Legg Mason Tennis Classic The Legg Mason Tennis Classic is an annual late-summer men's tennis tournament played in Washington, D.C. as part of the ATP Tour. It was first held in 1969. It was later known as the Sovran Bank Classic. . Originally an event of the Grand Prix Tennis Tour and part of the Grand Prix Championship... , U.S. |
Clay |  Guillermo VilasGuillermo Vilas Guillermo Apolinario Vilas is a retired and former World No. 2 professional tennis player from Argentina. He was the second Latin-American to win a Grand Slam tournament.-Career:... |
1–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2. | 1975 | Toronto Indoor WCT Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... , Canada |
Carpet |  Stan SmithStan Smith Stanley Roger "Stan" Smith is a former American tennis player and two time Grand Slam singles champion who also, with his partner Bob Lutz, formed one of the most successful doubles teams of all time. Together, they won many major titles all over the world... |
6–4, 6–1 |
| 3. | 1975 | Memphis, U.S. | Carpet |  Jiří HřebecJirí Hrebec Jiří Hřebec is a retired Czech professional tennis player. He won 3 singles and 4 doubles titles on the ATP Tour during his career. He achieved his highest singles ranking of No... |
2–6, 6–1, 6–4 |
| 4. | 1975 | Perth Perth Indoor Tennis Tournament The Perth Indoor Tennis Tournament was a men's tennis tournament played in Perth, Australia from 1975-1977. The event was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit and was played on indoor hard courts.-Men's singles:-Doubles:... , Australia |
Hard | Alex Mayer |
6–2, 7–6, 7–5 |
| 5. | 1975 | Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... , South Africa |
Hard | Brian Gottfried Brian Gottfried Brian Edward Gottfried is a retired tennis player from the United States who won 25 singles titles and 54 doubles titles during his professional career. The right-hander reached his highest ranking on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour on June 19, 1977, when he became World No.... |
6–3, 6–2, 5–7, 6–2 |
| 6. | 1976 | Washington WCT ATP Washington Indoor The Washington Indoor was a men's tennis tournament played in Washington D.C.. The event was played as part of the WCT Tour from 1972–1976 and the Grand Prix circuit from 1977-1980. It was played on indoor carpet.-Singles:-Doubles:-References:... , U.S. |
Carpet |  Onny ParunOnny Parun Onny Parun is a former tennis player of Croatian descent from New Zealand, who was among the world's top 20 for five years and in 1971 and 1972 he reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. He made the final of the Australian Open in 1973, losing to John Newcombe in four sets, and was a U.S... |
6–3, 6–1 |
| 7. | 1976 | Houston WCT River Oaks International Tennis Tournament River Oaks Country Club has played host to the River Oaks International Tennis Tournament since 1931. The tournament is the oldest in the country to still be played in its original site, in the original stadium. From the very beginning, the River Oaks International was an amateur tournament, and... , U.S. |
Clay |  Ken RosewallKen Rosewall Kenneth Robert Rosewall AM MBE is a former world top-ranking amateur and professional tennis player from Australia. He won 23 Majors including eight Grand Slam singles titles and before the Open Era a record fifteen Pro Slam titles . Rosewall won 9 slams in doubles with a career double grand slam... |
6–4, 1–6, 6–1 |
| 8. | 1976 | Louisville Louisville Tennis Classic The Louisville Tennis Classic was a men's tennis tournament played in Louisville, Kentucky from 1970-1979. The event was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit.-Men's singles:-Doubles:... , U.S. |
Clay |  Wojtek Fibak |
6–2, 7–5 |
| 9. | 1976 | Maui ATP Maui Seiko Super Tennis was the 1984 name of a men's professional tennis tournament played in Maui or Honolulu, Hawaii from 1974 through 1984. It was played in Maui every year except 1984, when it was played in Honolulu. The event was played on outdoor hard courts.... , U.S. |
Hard | Bob Lutz |
6–3, 5–7, 7–5 |
| 10. | 1976 | Johannesburg WCT Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... , South Africa |
Hard | Brian Gottfried Brian Gottfried Brian Edward Gottfried is a retired tennis player from the United States who won 25 singles titles and 54 doubles titles during his professional career. The right-hander reached his highest ranking on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour on June 19, 1977, when he became World No.... |
6–2, 6–7, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 11. | 1977 | Brussels ATP Brussels Outdoor The Brussels Outdoor was a men's tennis tournament played in Brussels, Belgium. The event was played as part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit from 1971 to 1972 and then from 1977 to 1981. It was played on outdoor clay.-Singles:-Doubles:... , Belgium |
Clay |  Karl MeilerKarl Meiler Karl Meiler is a former tennis player from West Germany.Meiler won four singles and seventeen doubles titles during his professional career... |
7–5, 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 12. | 1977 | Cincinnati Cincinnati Masters The Cincinnati Open is an annual outdoor hardcourts tennis event held in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason, Ohio, USA. The event started on September 18, 1899 and is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States played in its original city., Between... , U.S. |
Clay |  Mark Cox |
6–2, 6–3 |
| 13. | 1977 | Lakeway Lakeway, Texas Lakeway is a city in Travis County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,391 at the 2010 census; up from 8,002 in 2000. The city is located near Lake Travis.-Geography:... , U.S. – WCT Tournament of Champions |
Hard (i) | Ken Rosewall Ken Rosewall Kenneth Robert Rosewall AM MBE is a former world top-ranking amateur and professional tennis player from Australia. He won 23 Majors including eight Grand Slam singles titles and before the Open Era a record fifteen Pro Slam titles . Rosewall won 9 slams in doubles with a career double grand slam... |
7–6, 6–2, 2–6, 0–6, 6–3 |
| 14. | 1978 | Las Vegas Alan King Tennis Classic The Alan King Tennis Classic was a men's tennis tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1972-1985 and was part of the WCT Tour from 1972 until 1977 then it became part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit from 1978 until 1985, and one of the major ranking tournaments of both tour's it was part of... , U.S. |
Hard |  Corrado BarazzuttiCorrado Barazzutti Corrado Barazzutti is an Italian former tennis player.Barazzutti gained fame in 1971 by winning the Orange Bowl. The previous year he had been called to the Italy Davis Cup team, for which he would play a total of 44 matches... |
6–1, 3–0, RET. |
| 15. | 1978 | Louisville Louisville Tennis Classic The Louisville Tennis Classic was a men's tennis tournament played in Louisville, Kentucky from 1970-1979. The event was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit.-Men's singles:-Doubles:... , U.S. |
Clay | John Alexander |
6–2, 6–2 |
| 16. | 1979 | Baltimore WCT Baltimore WCT The Baltimore WCT was a men's tennis tournament played in Baltimore, Maryland from 1972-1982. The event was part of the WCT Tour and was held on indoor carpet courts.-Men's singles:-Doubles:-References:*... , U.S. |
Carpet | Marty Riessen Marty Riessen Marty Riessen played amateur and professional tennis in the 1960s and 1970s. He was ranked as high as No. 11 in the world in singles on the ATP Rankings... |
7–5, 6–4 |
| 17. | 1979 | North Conway, U.S. | Clay |  José HiguerasJosé Higueras José Higueras is a tennis coach and former professional tennis player from Spain.Between 1976 and 1984, Higueras won 16 top-level singles titles. A semi-finalist at the French Open in 1982 and 1983, he reached the World No. 6 singles ranking in 1983... |
5–7, 6–4, 7–6 |
| 18. | 1979 | Paris Indoor Paris Masters The Paris Masters is an annual tennis tournament for male professional players held in Paris, France. It is played indoors at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy. The event is part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 on the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour... , France |
Hard (i) | Corrado Barazzutti Corrado Barazzutti Corrado Barazzutti is an Italian former tennis player.Barazzutti gained fame in 1971 by winning the Orange Bowl. The previous year he had been called to the Italy Davis Cup team, for which he would play a total of 44 matches... |
6–3, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 19. | 1980 | Baltimore WCT Baltimore WCT The Baltimore WCT was a men's tennis tournament played in Baltimore, Maryland from 1972-1982. The event was part of the WCT Tour and was held on indoor carpet courts.-Men's singles:-Doubles:-References:*... , U.S. |
Carpet | Tim Gullikson Tim Gullikson Timothy Ernest "Tim" Gullikson was a tennis player and coach who was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the United States.In 1977, he won three tour singles titles and was named the ATP's Newcomer of the Year... |
7–6, 6–0 |
| 20. | 1980 | Hamburg Hamburg Masters The German Open Hamburg, established in 1892, is an annual tennis tournament for male professional players held in Hamburg, Germany and part of the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour. Originally a Grand Prix Tennis Tour event between 1978 and 1989 it was part of the Grand Prix Championship... , Germany |
Clay | Guillermo Vilas Guillermo Vilas Guillermo Apolinario Vilas is a retired and former World No. 2 professional tennis player from Argentina. He was the second Latin-American to win a Grand Slam tournament.-Career:... |
6–7, 6–2, 6–4, 2–6, 6–3 |
| 21. | 1980 | Cincinnati Cincinnati Masters The Cincinnati Open is an annual outdoor hardcourts tennis event held in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason, Ohio, USA. The event started on September 18, 1899 and is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States played in its original city., Between... , U.S. |
Hard |  Francisco González |
7–6, 6–3 |
| 22. | 1980 | Tel Aviv ATP Tel Aviv The Tel Aviv Open is a defunct, ATP Tour affiliated tennis tournament. It was played from 1979-1996. It was held at the Israel Tennis Center at Ramat HaSharon, near Tel Aviv, Israel and was played on outdoor hard courts. The tournament was played as a ATP Challenger Series event in 1998 and 1999... , Israel Israel The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... |
Hard |  Shlomo GlicksteinShlomo Glickstein Shlomo Glickstein is an Israeli former professional tennis player.He reached his career-high singles ranking of World # 22 in November 1982, and his career-high doubles ranking of World # 28 in February 1986.... |
6–2, 6–3 |
Runner-ups (16)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score |
| 1. | 1974 | Bretton Woods, U.S. | Clay | Rod Laver Rod Laver Rodney George "Rod" Laver MBE is an Australian former tennis player who holds the record for titles won in career, and was the World No. 1 player for seven consecutive years, from 1964 to 1970... |
6–4, 6–3 |
| 2. | 1974 | Los Angeles, U.S. | Hard | Jimmy Connors Jimmy Connors James Scott "Jimmy" Connors is an American former world no. 1 tennis player.... |
6–3, 6–1 |
| 3. | 1975 | Washington, D.C. Legg Mason Tennis Classic The Legg Mason Tennis Classic is an annual late-summer men's tennis tournament played in Washington, D.C. as part of the ATP Tour. It was first held in 1969. It was later known as the Sovran Bank Classic. . Originally an event of the Grand Prix Tennis Tour and part of the Grand Prix Championship... , U.S. |
Clay | Guillermo Vilas Guillermo Vilas Guillermo Apolinario Vilas is a retired and former World No. 2 professional tennis player from Argentina. He was the second Latin-American to win a Grand Slam tournament.-Career:... |
6–1, 6–3 |
| 4. | 1975 | Melbourne Indoor Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... , Australia |
Grass (i) | Brian Gottfried Brian Gottfried Brian Edward Gottfried is a retired tennis player from the United States who won 25 singles titles and 54 doubles titles during his professional career. The right-hander reached his highest ranking on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour on June 19, 1977, when he became World No.... |
6–2, 7–6, 6–1 |
| 5. | 1976 | Monterrey WCT Monterrey WCT The Monterrey WCT was a men's tennis tournament played in Monterrey, Mexico from 1976-1977. The event was part of the WCT Tour and was played on indoor carpet courts.-Men's singles:-Doubles:... , Mexico |
Carpet | Eddie Dibbs Eddie Dibbs Eddie Dibbs is a retired American tennis player. He attained a career high ranking of World No. 5 in July 1978.-Wins :-Runner-ups :-Grand Slam singles tournament timeline:... |
7–6, 6–2 |
| 6. | 1976 | French Open, Paris | Clay | Adriano Panatta Adriano Panatta Adriano Panatta is a former professional tennis player from Italy. He is best remembered for winning the French Open in 1976, and for being the only player to ever defeat Björn Borg at Roland Garros, which he did on two occasions.-Career:... |
6–1, 6–4, 4–6, 7–6 |
| 7. | 1976 | Boston U.S. Pro Tennis Championships The U.S. Pro Tennis Championships was the oldest professional tennis tournament played until its final year of 1999 and is considered as a part of the professional grand slam from 1927 - 1967 until the advent of Open Era... , U.S. |
Clay |  Björn BorgBjörn Borg Björn Rune Borg is a former world no. 1 tennis player from Sweden. Between 1974 and 1981 he won 11 Grand Slam singles titles. He won five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles and six French Open singles titles... |
6–7, 6–4, 6–1, 6–2 |
| 8. | 1978 | Springfield Springfield International Tennis Classic The Springfield International Tennis Classic was a men's tennis tournament played in Springfield, Massachusetts from 1977-1978. The event was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit and was held on indoor carpet courts.-Men's singles:-Doubles:... , U.S. |
Carpet |  Heinz GünthardtHeinz Günthardt Heinz Peter Günthardt is a former tennis player from Switzerland, who won five singles titles during his professional career, including the Rotterdam WCT in 1980.... |
6–3, 3–6, 6–2 |
| 9. | 1978 | Boston U.S. Pro Tennis Championships The U.S. Pro Tennis Championships was the oldest professional tennis tournament played until its final year of 1999 and is considered as a part of the professional grand slam from 1927 - 1967 until the advent of Open Era... , U.S. |
Clay | Manuel Orantes Manuel Orantes Manuel Orantes Corral was a tennis champion in the 1970s and 1980s. He won the US Open in 1975, beating defending champion Jimmy Connors in the final.-Career:... |
6–4, 6–3 |
| 10. | 1978 | Johannesburg ATP Johannesburg The SA Tennis Open is a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts started originally as a Grand Prix tennis circuit event. It is currently part of the 250 series of the Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour. It is held annually in February at Montecasino, in... , South Africa |
Hard | Tim Gullikson Tim Gullikson Timothy Ernest "Tim" Gullikson was a tennis player and coach who was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the United States.In 1977, he won three tour singles titles and was named the ATP's Newcomer of the Year... |
2–6, 7–6, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4 |
| 11. | 1979 | Hamburg Hamburg Masters The German Open Hamburg, established in 1892, is an annual tennis tournament for male professional players held in Hamburg, Germany and part of the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour. Originally a Grand Prix Tennis Tour event between 1978 and 1989 it was part of the Grand Prix Championship... , Germany |
Clay | José Higueras José Higueras José Higueras is a tennis coach and former professional tennis player from Spain.Between 1976 and 1984, Higueras won 16 top-level singles titles. A semi-finalist at the French Open in 1982 and 1983, he reached the World No. 6 singles ranking in 1983... |
3–6, 6–1, 6–4, 6–1 |
| 12. | 1979 | Forest Hills WCT Forest Hills, Queens Forest Hills is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States.-Neighborhood:The neighborhood is home to upper-middle class residents, of whom the wealthier residents often live in the neighborhood's Forest Hills Gardens area... , U.S. – WCT Invitational WCT Invitational The WCT Invitational was a professional tennis tournament held from 1978-1981. The tournament was held in Forest Hills, New York on clay courts from 1978–79 and in Salisbury, Maryland on indoor carpet from 1980-81... |
Clay | Eddie Dibbs Eddie Dibbs Eddie Dibbs is a retired American tennis player. He attained a career high ranking of World No. 5 in July 1978.-Wins :-Runner-ups :-Grand Slam singles tournament timeline:... |
7–6, 6–1 |
| 13. | 1979 | Bordeaux ATP Bordeaux This is a defunct men's tennis tournament that was held annually under various names, The Bordeaux Open Grand Prix Passing Shot and was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit tour from it then became an ATP Tour event until 1995... , France |
Clay |  Yannick NoahYannick Noah Yannick Noah is a former professional tennis player from France. He is best remembered for being the last French man to win the French Open in 1983, and as a highly-successful captain of France's Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams... |
6–0, 6–7, 6–1, 1–6, 6–4 |
| 14. | 1979 | Wembley Wembley Championship The Wembley Championship was a tennis event held from 1934–1990 with some periods of inactivity in between and is considered as a part of the professional grand slam from 1927 - 1967 until the advent of the open era... , England |
Carpet | John McEnroe John McEnroe John Patrick McEnroe, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles , nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title... |
6–3, 6–4, 7–5 |
| 15. | 1980 | Las Vegas Alan King Tennis Classic The Alan King Tennis Classic was a men's tennis tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1972-1985 and was part of the WCT Tour from 1972 until 1977 then it became part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit from 1978 until 1985, and one of the major ranking tournaments of both tour's it was part of... , U.S. |
Hard | Björn Borg Björn Borg Björn Rune Borg is a former world no. 1 tennis player from Sweden. Between 1974 and 1981 he won 11 Grand Slam singles titles. He won five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles and six French Open singles titles... |
6–3, 6–1 |
| 16. | 1981 | Las Vegas Alan King Tennis Classic The Alan King Tennis Classic was a men's tennis tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1972-1985 and was part of the WCT Tour from 1972 until 1977 then it became part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit from 1978 until 1985, and one of the major ranking tournaments of both tour's it was part of... , U.S. |
Hard | Ivan Lendl Ivan Lendl Ivan Lendl is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player. Originally from Czechoslovakia, Lendl became a United States citizen. He was one of the game's most dominant players in the 1980s and remained a top competitor into the early 1990s. He is considered to be one of the greatest tennis... |
6–4, 6–2 |
Grand Slam singles tournament timeline
| Tournament | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | Career SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open Australian Open The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court... |
A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | NH | 0 / 0 |
| French Open | QF | 3R | SF | QF | F | 4R | 3R | 4R | SF | 1R | 2R | A | 3R | A | A | 0 / 12 |
| Wimbledon The Championships, Wimbledon The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors... |
1R | A | 1R | A | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | 0 / 4 |
| US Open U.S. Open (tennis) The US Open, formally the United States Open Tennis Championships, is a hardcourt tennis tournament which is the modern iteration of one of the oldest tennis championships in the world, the U.S. National Championship, which for men's singles was first contested in 1881... |
2R | 1R | A | 4R | 1R | SF | 4R | 4R | 4R | 3R | 3R | 1R | A | A | A | 0 / 11 |
| Annual Win-Loss | 4–3 | 2–2 | 5–2 | 7–2 | 6–2 | 8–3 | 5–2 | 6–2 | 8–2 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 0–1 | N/A |
NH = tournament not held.
A = did not participate in the tournament.
Davis Cup
Solomon was a member of United States Davis CupDavis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
Teams in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1978, going 9–4 in competition. His ’72 and ’78 teams won Davis Cup championships.
Style of play
Known as "the Human Backboard", because he played like one, Solomon was notorious for frustrating his opponents with his lobs and relentless, methodical returns. He employed a slow, methodical, gritty, determined style marked by tireless effort, and a powerful two-fisted right-handed backhand."When you played Harold", observed fellow pro Erik Van Dillen
Erik Van Dillen
Erik Van Dillen was an American male professional tennis player.Van Dillen won a single career title, the 1973 Nottingham Open Singles title, defeating Frew McMillan .-External links:*...
, "you'd better bring your lunch and dinner – you might be out there all day." Solomon defended himself this way: "I guess it's not so exciting to see eight million balls hit back and forth, but I wonder, is it any more exciting to see Boris Becker
Boris Becker
Boris Franz Becker is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from Germany. He is a six-time Grand Slam singles champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and the youngest-ever winner of the men's singles title at Wimbledon at the age of 17...
and Ivan Lendl
Ivan Lendl
Ivan Lendl is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player. Originally from Czechoslovakia, Lendl became a United States citizen. He was one of the game's most dominant players in the 1980s and remained a top competitor into the early 1990s. He is considered to be one of the greatest tennis...
each hitting 40 aces?"
ATP
Solomon was President of the Association of Tennis ProfessionalsAssociation of Tennis Professionals
The Association of Tennis Professionals or ATP was formed in 1972 by Donald Dell, Jack Kramer, and Cliff Drysdale to protect the interests of male professional tennis players. Since 1990, the association has organized the worldwide tennis tour for men and linked the title of the tour with the...
(ATP) from 1980 to 1983. After 1983 he served on the ATP Board of Directors.
Halls of Fame
Soloman was inducted into the USTA Mid Atlantic Section Hall of Fame in 1994. and the International Jewish Sports Hall of FameInternational Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
in 2004.
Coaching career
Solomon began coaching in the early 1990s. He is largely identified with women's pro Mary Joe FernandezMary Joe Fernández
Mary Joe Fernández Godsick is an American former professional tennis player...
, whom he tutored for five years.
He also helped Jennifer Capriati
Jennifer Capriati
Jennifer Marie Capriati is a former world number one ranked professional tennis player, and the winner of three women's singles championships in Grand Slam tournaments. Capriati made her professional debut in 1990 at the age of 14 when she reached the finals of the hard court tournament in Boca...
return to top form in the late 1990s. He was initially contacted by Jennifer's father, but said he would not coach her until Jennifer called him herself. After she did, he helped lead her to two titles in 1999 and to the semifinals in the Australian Open. In 2000, however, Solomon and Capriati parted ways after he was frustrated by her lack of focus. She would then go on to win 3 Grand Slams
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
and obtain the Number One ranking.
He also aided and refined the careers of Jim Courier
Jim Courier
James Spencer "Jim" Courier, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won four Grand Slam singles titles, two at the French Open and two at the Australian Open...
, Justin Gimelstob
Justin Gimelstob
Justin Jeremy Gimelstob is a retired American tennis player. Gimelstob has been a resident of Morristown, New Jersey and as of 2009 resided in Santa Monica, California....
, Monica Seles
Monica Seles
Monica Seles is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player and a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She was born in Novi Sad, Serbia, former Yugoslavia to Hungarian parents. She became a naturalized United States citizen in 1994 and also received Hungarian citizenship in June 2007...
, Mirjana Lučić
Mirjana Lucic
Mirjana Lučić is a Croatian professional tennis player. She enjoyed a promising career on the WTA Tour in the late 1990s, during which she set several "youngest-ever" records, won one Grand Slam women's doubles title at the Australian Open in 1998 when she was only 15 years old, partnering Martina...
, Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova
Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova is a Russian retired professional tennis player. Her beauty and celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis stars worldwide, despite the fact that she never won a WTA singles title. At the peak of her fame, fans looking for images of Kournikova made her name...
, and Daniela Hantuchová
Daniela Hantuchová
Daniela Hantuchová is a Slovak professional tennis player. She turned professional in 1999 and had her breakthrough year in 2002, when she won her first Tier I tournament and ended the year in the top 10.She is currently coached by Larri Passos...
.http://www.solomontennis.com/staff.php Solomon has also coached players in the finals of Grand Slam
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
Events, and to Gold and Silver medals at the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
.http://www.solomontennis.com/staff.php
In 2007 former world # 3 Brian Gottfried
Brian Gottfried
Brian Edward Gottfried is a retired tennis player from the United States who won 25 singles titles and 54 doubles titles during his professional career. The right-hander reached his highest ranking on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour on June 19, 1977, when he became World No....
joined the coaching staff at the Harold Solomon Tennis Institute in Fort Lauderdale.
Miscellaneous
- After retiring from the ATP tour in 1986, Solomon worked as the Vice President of Human Resources in the family-owned business, Diversified Services.
- He was also Chairman of the Board of End World Hunger, a not-for-profit organization that taught residents of low-income housing projects in the U.S. how to grow food and become self-sufficient.