Mike Belkin
Encyclopedia
Michael Belkin (born June 29, 1945 in Montreal
)
is a former top-ranked Canadian
tennis
player.
Canada's top-ranked player five times between 1966 and 1972, Belkin had a career 17-12 Davis Cup
record, including a 14-7 record in singles.
The right-handed Belkin attained a career-high ranking of U.S.A. No. 7 during the 1960s. He joined the fledgling professional tour in the later half of his playing career, compiling a 36-36 career singles win-loss record. His best results however were as an amateur. His most significant likely was a quarter-finals appearance at the 1968 Australian Championships, which he lost to top seed William Bowrey
in straight sets. He also reached the third round in singles in his inaugural Wimbledon
.
Belkin's best Grand Prix
results were semi-finals appearances in 1969 at both the Cincinnati
event and Canadian Open
. His highest computer ranking as a professional, which were only calculated by the tour from September 1973, was World No 128, which he reached on the 26th of the month.
boys and junior (18 and under) singles titles, coincidentally played in Miami Beach, in 1960 and 61 respectively.
While still a student at Miami Beach High School
, the right-handed Belkin was Florida men's champion, defeating both Frank Froehling
and Gardnar Mulloy
to become so. He was also U.S. National Junior Champion (18 and under) champion, according a March, 1963 Sports Illustrated
article. It goes on to describe how Belkin was an excellent clay court play without any tournament experience on grass. His game was built around an excellent baseline game with both a solid forehand and two-handed backhand. At the time of the article, the 17 year-old Belkin was 3 months into revising his game to include serve and volley
technique.
Belkin was a top-ranking collegiate player attending the University of Miami
. He reached the finals of the 1965 NCAA
individual championships where he lost to Arthur Ashe
4–6, 1–6, 1–6.
. He again lost in the first round at the 1962 U.S. Championship
, this time in five sets, to American James Farrin. And the year after, for a third consecutive time, Belkin lost in the first round of the same tournament
, this time in straight sets to Norman Berry.
In 1964, Belkin played Wimbledon Championship
for the first time, and fared well given his lack of experience on grass. He defeated Claude De Gronckel in the first round, and Cliff Drysdale
in the second, both in four sets, before falling to Bob Hewitt
in the third, in straight sets. At the 1964 U.S. Championships
later that summer, Belkin defeated Rodney Susman in the first round before falling to Cliff Richey
in the second in five sets.
Having not competed in singles in any main draws of grand slam tournaments in 1965, Belkin played in two in 1966. At Roland Garros
he lost in the first round, to Pancho Guzman in four sets. At Wimbledon
, Belkin reached the second round. He defeated Australian Jim Moore in straight sets before falling to No. 4 seed Manuel Santana
0–6, 1–6, 2–6. In 1967 he again did not compete in a grand slam event.
At the 1968 Australian Championships, in addition to reaching the quarters in singles, a run which saw victories over one M. Marchment, Max Pettman, and Allan Stone
, Belkin reached the second round in doubles partnering Geoff Pollard.
, but was forced to abandon his match against Georges Goven
up two sets. He and partner Pancho Guzman withdrew from their first round doubles match.
In the summer, Belkin played the Cincinnati Championships
, defeating Phil Dent
and Stan Smith
in the later rounds to reach the semi-finals. In doubles, he and partner Luis Ayala
lost in the second round, to Arthur Ashe
and Charlie Pasarell
. The following week Belkin played U.S. Clay Court Championships, reaching the quarters in both singles and doubles. He singles he defeated Franklin Robbins, Goven, and Jim Osborne
before falling to Ashe in three sets. In doubles he played with Bob Carmichael
.
Two weeks later, Belkin played the Canadian Open, reaching the semis in singles, where he lost a four-setter to Cliff Richey
and the quarters in doubles, partnering compatriot Vic Rollins. Later in August, at the second ever U.S. Open, Belkin lost to Marty Riessen
in the second round in singles, and the first round in singles, partnering American Frank Tutvin.
At Cincinnati, Belkin was soundly beaten by Jeff Borowiak
in the first round 1-6, 1-6. The following week in Indianapolis, he defeated Jean-Baptiste Chanfreau and G. Turner Howard before losing in three sets to Croat Željko Franulović
.
In Toronto, Belkin had a bye into the second round where he lost handily to Andrés Gimeno
2-6, 1-6. At Forest Hills, he also lost his first match in straight sets, in the first round to Frenchman player Pierre Barthes
. In doubles at both tournaments, Belkin and partner John Sharpe lost in the first round.
4-6, 0-6, and doubles, partnering Richard Russell. The following week he competed in the Salisbury Grand Prix (in Salisbury, Maryland
), and again lost handily in the first round in singles, 2-6, 4-6 to Joaquin Loyo-Mayo
2-6, 4-6. In doubles, he and partner Tom Edlefsen reached the second round.
The following week, Belkin played the Macon Outdoor and did even better. Having a first round bye, he beat Jan Kodeš
6-1, 7-5, before falling to Tom Gorman
2-6, 5-7. In doubles, he and partner Nikola Spear
won two matches to reach the quarter-finals, where they lost to Kodes and Željko Franulović
. The following week at the Hampton Grand Prix
, Belkin lost in the first round in both singles and doubles, falling in singles to Ion Ţiriac
and in doubles partnering Edlefsen for a second time.
In April Belkin reached the semi-finals of the Houston Outdoor, losing in five sets in that round to Clark Graebner
. His next action was in July, at the Washington Star International, a WCT
event. He scored easy wins over Roscoe Tanner
and Patricio Comejo before losing to Andrés Gimeno
6-4, 2-6, 3-6. In doubles, Belkin and Richard Russell reached the second round. The following week in singles, Belkin reached the semi-finals of the Tanglewood Grand Prix, losing to Franulovic. In the quarters he crushed rookie tour player Jimmy Connors
6-1, 6-2.
One week later Belkin reached the third round of the Cincinnati Outdoor, beating Rudy Hernando and Brian Gottfried
before succumbing to Jaime Fillol
. In doubles, he again partnered Russell and the tandem reached the second round. The following week Belkin competed at the Canadian Open, losing in the first round in singles to Ray Ruffels
, and in doubles partnering once again John Sharpe. The week after he lost to Ruffels again in Canada, and nearly by the identical score, at the Toronto WCT event. Belkin played one final time in 1971, singles at the Sacramento Outdoor, losing again in the first round, this time to Raymond Moore
by default.
. At the later tournament he also played doubles, with he and partner Tom Edlefsen losing in the second round. Two weeks later, Belkin reached the second round in singles in Salisbury, defeating Milan Holeček
6-3, 6-4, before falling to Roscoe Tanner
3-6, 3-6. In doubles, he and partner Hans Kary lost in the first round. The following week at the New York Indoor, Belkin lost in the first round to Alejandro Olmedo 3-6, 4-6.
Belkin saw his next main draw action in August. At the Tanglewood Grand Prix, he lost to Dick Stockton
4-6, 3-6. The following week at the U.S. Clay Court Championships, on Belkin's strongest surface, clay, he beat Jun Kuki and Adriano Panatta
before falling to Bob Hewitt
in the round of 16. The following week in Montreal, he lost however in the first round, to Onny Parun
, 7-6, 3-6, 1-6. In doubles, he and partner Eddie Dibbs
reached the quarter-finals, losing there to the famous doubles team of Hewitt and Frew McMillan
. Two weeks later at the U.S. Open, Belkin was level with Cliff Drysdale
in the first set 5 games when he retired from the match. Belkin was entered one more main draw, in mid-September, the Montreal WCT, but withdraw from his first round match in both singles and doubles (partnering compatriot Richard Legendre
).
in singles and in doubles partnering Nicholas Kalogeropoulos at the Baltimore Indoor in early January. Two weeks later at the Birmingham Indoor, Belkin reached the second round in singles beating Szabolcz Baranyi
6-4, 6-1, before losing to Jürgen Fassbender
3-6, 5-7. In doubles, he and partner Gavorielle Marcu
lost in the first round. The following week, Belkin lost in the first round at the Omaha Indoor to Baranyi 3-6, 0-6.
The final 3 events Belkin played this year were ones held in Canada. In middle February, at the Calgary Indoor, Belkin defeated Hans Kary in three sets before falling to Paul Gerken 3-6, 1-6. In doubles he and partner Pat Cramer
lost in the opening round. In August at the Canadian Open, Belkin beat Adriano Panatta
6-4, 6-3 in the first round and lost to Iván Molina
in the second 4-6, 2-6. In October, Belkin appeared at the Quebec Grand Prix, losing in the first round to Haroon Rahim
4-6, 6-7(5). In doubles, he and partner, veteran Quebecer Robert Bedard, lost in the first round as well, 3-6, 1-6 to Onny Parun and Raymond Moore
.
Belkin entered the first computer rankings, on September 13 at No. 145. Two weeks later, with the next rankings released, he stood at No. 128, his career high. In the final rankings released for the year, on December 14, Belkin was No. 161.
, where he lost in the first round to Guillermo Vilas
2-6, 2-6. On December 12, his singles ranking stood at World No. 318.
In 1975, Belkin competed in two events, also only in singles, both in Florida, his home state. These would be his last tour events to appear in. In early February, he lost in the first round to Jeff Borowiak
6-7(5), 1-6 at the St. Petersburg WCT
. Two weeks later, at the Boca Raton Grand Prix, he completed his touring career with his best result in years, reaching the quarter-finals. He defeated Rolf Thung 6-1, 6-4, Jan Kodeš
7-5, 1-6, 7-6, before losing to Jürgen Fassbender
4-6, 3-6. This saw his next ranking, on March 5, rise to World No. 208. His final ranking, released on December 15 saw him rated at No. 222.
for Canada
in 1966 in two ties as Canada advanced to the Europe Group quarterfinals. Against Finland
in the first round, Belkin won the second rubber over Rauno Suominen 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. He also won a dead rubber as Canada defeated the Finns 4-1. In the next round however, Canada went up a strong French team
at Roland Garros stadium. Belkin lost the opening rubber 1-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 to François Jauffret
. Belkin also lost the final, dead, rubber in 5 sets to Pierre Darmon
as Canada was swept 0-5.
The following year Belkin defeated Mike Sangster
6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the opening rubber against Davis Cup
in Europe Group first round action, played in Bournemouth
on clay. Britain won the next four rubbers however, including the doubles 12-10 in the fifth, with Roger Taylor and Bobby Wilson
overcoming Belkin and Keith Carpenter
.
In 1968, Canada again fell at the first hurdle, losing the first round of North and Central America Semifinal action against Mexico
. Played in Mexico City
on clay, Mexico swept Canada 5-0. Belkin lost the second rubber 14-16, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6 to Joaquim Loyo-Mayo. He again partnered Carpenter in the doubles, a match lost in straight sets.
The following year Canada defeated the Netherlands
3-2 in the first round of Europe Group, with Belkin winning all 3 rubbers. In a tie played in Scheveningen, first he defeated Niklaus Fleury 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 in the second rubber. He and Harry Fauquier then won the doubles rubber in four sets. Then, in the deciding fifth rubber, Belkin beat Jan Horduk 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. In the next round, Canada faced the Soviet Union
, in Moscow, and lost 1-4. Belkin took the only rubber off the Soviets when he beat Tomas Lejus 7-9, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 9-7. In a fifth, dead, rubber, Belkin retired down 2 sets to Alex Metreveli
.
In 1970, Canada won two ties before succumbing to Brazil
in the Americas Inter-Zone final. To reach that final they first beat the Caribbean and then New Zealand
in the North and Central American Group. They swept the Caribbean in early June in Winnipeg
on clay, with Belkin defeating Lancelot Lumsden in five sets in the 2nd rubber and teaming with John Sharpe to win the doubles in straight sets. They then a week later beat New Zealand 3-2 in at the same venue. Belkin lost the first rubber to Brian Fairlie
in straight sets. He then teamed with Sharpe to win the doubles. Belkin then won the deciding rubber over Onny Parun
6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Against Brazil in São Paulo
, Belkin leveled the tie at a win apiece when Belkin beat José Edison Mandarino
. He and Sharpe however lost the doubles tie in 5 sets, despite being up 2 sets to 1. Belkin then beat Tomas Koch in four sets to again level the tie. John Sharpe was trounced by Mandarino in the final however, 1-6, 0-6, 2-6.
In 1971, Canada lost its only tie of the year, 2-3 to Mexico in Mexico City. Belkin won the second rubber over Loyo-Mayo in four sets, to level the tie. He and Sharpe lost the doubles, however, in four sets, to give the Mexicans the lead. Belkin won the fourth rubber over Marcelo Lara to, again, level the tie at 2-2. In the decider, Sharpe, facing Loyo-Mayo, won the first set but proceeded to lose the next three to lose. The following year saw the same foe and exactly the same result, a 2-3 lose, this time at a tie held in Vancouver
(at Jerico Tennis Club). Belkin again beat Loyo-Mayo, this time in rubber 1 and in five sets. Canada again lost the doubles rubber, as Belkin and Dale Power
lost in four sets. Loyo-Mayo then defeated Anthony Bardsley in straight sets to give the win to Mexico. Belkin beat Raúl Ramírez
in a dead, fifth rubber.
Belkin concluded his Davis Cup career retiring from rubber 1 against Iván Molina
of Colombia
, having lost the first set 7-9. Canada lost the North and Central America Group preliminary round tie 1-4. Belkin's career Davis Cup win-loss stands at 14 and 7 in singles and 3 and 5 in doubles, with all matches played outdoors on clay.
, Florida
. He joined the resort in 1993.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
)
is a former top-ranked Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player.
Canada's top-ranked player five times between 1966 and 1972, Belkin had a career 17-12 Davis Cup
Davis 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...
record, including a 14-7 record in singles.
The right-handed Belkin attained a career-high ranking of U.S.A. No. 7 during the 1960s. He joined the fledgling professional tour in the later half of his playing career, compiling a 36-36 career singles win-loss record. His best results however were as an amateur. His most significant likely was a quarter-finals appearance at the 1968 Australian Championships, which he lost to top seed William Bowrey
William Bowrey
William "Bill" Bowrey is a former Australian male tennis player.Bowrey was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is best remembered as the last amateur to win the Australian Championships in 1968 before the tournament opened itself for professional tennis players in 1969.-Biography:Bowrey...
in straight sets. He also reached the third round in singles in his inaugural Wimbledon
1964 Wimbledon Championships - Men's Singles
Roy Emerson defeated Fred Stolle 6–4 12–10 4–6 6–3 in the final to win the Gentlemen's Singles title at the 1964 Wimbledon Championships.See also:-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below...
.
Belkin's best Grand Prix
Grand Prix tennis tournaments
The Grand Prix tennis circuit was a professional tennis tour for male players that existed from 1970 to 1989. It was the more prominent of two predecessors to the current tour for male players, the ATP Tour, the other being World Championship Tennis ....
results were semi-finals appearances in 1969 at both the 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...
event and Canadian Open
Canada Masters
The Canada Masters , currently sponsored as the Rogers Cup, is an annual tennis tournament held in Canada. The men's competition is a Masters 1000 event on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour. The women's competition is a Premier 5 tournament on the Women's Tennis Association tour...
. His highest computer ranking as a professional, which were only calculated by the tour from September 1973, was World No 128, which he reached on the 26th of the month.
Youth, junior, and college tennis
Belkin was one of America's early tennis phenoms, with his parents moving to Miami Beach when he was 12 for the sake of his tennis. He won the United States National Boys' (15 and under) singles championship, and won the prestigious Orange BowlDunlop Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, known since 2008 as the Dunlop Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships with Dunlop as the title sponsor, is a prestigious junior tennis tournament, one of only five that are rated by the ITF as 'Grade A'...
boys and junior (18 and under) singles titles, coincidentally played in Miami Beach, in 1960 and 61 respectively.
While still a student at Miami Beach High School
Miami Beach High School
Miami Beach Senior High School, commonly referred to as "Beach High" or "MBSH", is a secondary school located at 2231 Prairie Avenue in the Miami Beach, Florida, right around the corner from the Miami Beach Convention Center and Botanical Gardens on Prairie Avenue and Dade Boulevard...
, the right-handed Belkin was Florida men's champion, defeating both Frank Froehling
Frank Froehling
Frank Froehling is a former American tennis player.Froehling recorded a 46-5 career in singles matches and won nine singles titles during college career at Trinity University. He was also runner-up at U.S. National Tennis Championships in 1963. That year Froehling was named No. 6 player in the...
and Gardnar Mulloy
Gardnar Mulloy
Gardnar Putnam Mulloy is a tennis player primarily known for playing in doubles matches with partner Billy Talbert. When he was the Tennis Coach of the University of Miami, he recruited Pancho Segura for the tennis team. Pancho won three straight NCAA Singles Titles in 1943, 1944, and 1945,...
to become so. He was also U.S. National Junior Champion (18 and under) champion, according a March, 1963 Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
article. It goes on to describe how Belkin was an excellent clay court play without any tournament experience on grass. His game was built around an excellent baseline game with both a solid forehand and two-handed backhand. At the time of the article, the 17 year-old Belkin was 3 months into revising his game to include serve and volley
Serve and volley
Serve and volley is a style of play in tennis where the player serving moves quickly towards the net after hitting a serve. The server then attempts to hit a volley , as opposed to the baseline style, where the server would stay back following the serve and attempt to hit a groundstroke Serve and...
technique.
Belkin was a top-ranking collegiate player attending the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
. He reached the finals of the 1965 NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
individual championships where he lost to Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. was a professional tennis player, born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. During his career, he won three Grand Slam titles, putting him among the best ever from the United States...
4–6, 1–6, 1–6.
Senior amateur tennis
As a 16-year-old, Belkin lost to Briton Roger Taylor in straight sets in the opening round of the 1961 U.S. Championships1961 U.S. National Championships - Men's Singles
Roy Emerson defeated Rod Laver 7–5 6–3 6–2 in the final to win the Men's Singles title at the 1961 U.S. National Championships.See also:-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below...
. He again lost in the first round at the 1962 U.S. Championship
1962 U.S. National Championships - Men's Singles
Rod Laver defeated Roy Emerson 6–2 6–4 5–7 6–4 in the final to win the Men's Singles title at the 1962 U.S. National Championships.-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below...
, this time in five sets, to American James Farrin. And the year after, for a third consecutive time, Belkin lost in the first round of the same tournament
1963 U.S. National Championships - Men's Singles
Rafael Osuna defeated Frank Froehling 7–5 6–4 6–2 in the final to win the Men's Singles title at the 1963 U.S. National Championships.See also:-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below...
, this time in straight sets to Norman Berry.
In 1964, Belkin played Wimbledon Championship
1964 Wimbledon Championships - Men's Singles
Roy Emerson defeated Fred Stolle 6–4 12–10 4–6 6–3 in the final to win the Gentlemen's Singles title at the 1964 Wimbledon Championships.See also:-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below...
for the first time, and fared well given his lack of experience on grass. He defeated Claude De Gronckel in the first round, and Cliff Drysdale
Cliff Drysdale
Cliff Drysdale is a former top-ranked professional tennis player of the 1960s and early 1970s who became a well-known tennis announcer. He was one of the Handsome Eight, signed by Lamar Hunt in 1968 for the newly formed World Championship Tennis group...
in the second, both in four sets, before falling to Bob Hewitt
Bob Hewitt
Robert "Bob" Anthony John Hewitt is a former professional male tennis player from Australia...
in the third, in straight sets. At the 1964 U.S. Championships
1964 U.S. National Championships - Men's Singles
Roy Emerson defeated Fred Stolle 6–4 6–1 6–4 in the final to win the Men's Singles title at the 1964 U.S. National Championships.See also:-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below...
later that summer, Belkin defeated Rodney Susman in the first round before falling to Cliff Richey
Cliff Richey
Cliff Richey played amateur and professional tennis in the 1960s and 1970s. He is the brother of fellow player Nancy Richey....
in the second in five sets.
Having not competed in singles in any main draws of grand slam tournaments in 1965, Belkin played in two in 1966. At Roland Garros
1966 French Championships - Men's Singles
Tony Roche defeated István Gulyás 6-1 6-4 7-5 in the final to win the Men's Singles title at the 1966 French Championships.See also:-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below. Tony Roche is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated....
he lost in the first round, to Pancho Guzman in four sets. At Wimbledon
1966 Wimbledon Championships - Men's Singles
Manuel Santana defeated Dennis Ralston 6–4 11–9 6–4 in the final to win the Gentlemen's Singles title at the 1966 Wimbledon Championships.See also:-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below...
, Belkin reached the second round. He defeated Australian Jim Moore in straight sets before falling to No. 4 seed Manuel Santana
Manuel Santana
Manuel Martínez Santana, best known as Manolo Santana, is a former tennis champion from Spain. He was born in Madrid....
0–6, 1–6, 2–6. In 1967 he again did not compete in a grand slam event.
At the 1968 Australian Championships, in addition to reaching the quarters in singles, a run which saw victories over one M. Marchment, Max Pettman, and Allan Stone
Allan Stone
----Allan Stone played amateur and professional tennis in the 1960s and 1970s. He was ranked as high as World No. 38 in singles on the ATP Rankings , although Stone played for many years before the ATP Rankings were instituted.Stone found the majority of his success on the doubles court...
, Belkin reached the second round in doubles partnering Geoff Pollard.
1969
Belkin played the 1969 French Open1969 French Open
List of the 1969 French Open champions:-Men's singles: Rod Laver def. Ken Rosewall, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4-Women's singles: Margaret Court def. Ann Haydon Jones, 6–1, 4–6, 6–3-Men's doubles:...
, but was forced to abandon his match against Georges Goven
Georges Goven
Georges Goven is a retired tennis player from France.Goven won the French Championships junior title in 1964, 1965, and 1966, and the Australian Championships juniors in 1964....
up two sets. He and partner Pancho Guzman withdrew from their first round doubles match.
In the summer, Belkin played the Cincinnati Championships
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...
, defeating Phil Dent
Phil Dent
Phillip "Phil" Dent, born on 14 February 1950, in Sydney, Australia, is a former professional tennis player. Dent's high water mark as a pro singles player was reaching the Australian Open final in 1974, which he lost to Jimmy Connors 7–6, 6–4, 4–6, 6–3...
and Stan Smith
Stan 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...
in the later rounds to reach the semi-finals. In doubles, he and partner Luis Ayala
Luis Ayala
Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...
lost in the second round, to Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. was a professional tennis player, born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. During his career, he won three Grand Slam titles, putting him among the best ever from the United States...
and Charlie Pasarell
Charlie Pasarell
Charlie Pasarell, Jr. is a former Puerto Rican tennis player and commentator...
. The following week Belkin played U.S. Clay Court Championships, reaching the quarters in both singles and doubles. He singles he defeated Franklin Robbins, Goven, and Jim Osborne
Jim Osborne (tennis)
Jim Osborne , is a former professional tennis player from the United States. He enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 5 Open Era doubles titles.-Doubles titles :...
before falling to Ashe in three sets. In doubles he played with Bob Carmichael
Bob Carmichael
Bob "Nails" Carmichael was an Australian tennis player and coach.As a player, Carmichael won 1 singles title and 12 doubles titles, and achieved a top 10 ranking in 1970. Partnering Allan Stone, he reached the doubles final of the 1974 Australian Open...
.
Two weeks later, Belkin played the Canadian Open, reaching the semis in singles, where he lost a four-setter to Cliff Richey
Cliff Richey
Cliff Richey played amateur and professional tennis in the 1960s and 1970s. He is the brother of fellow player Nancy Richey....
and the quarters in doubles, partnering compatriot Vic Rollins. Later in August, at the second ever U.S. Open, Belkin lost to 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...
in the second round in singles, and the first round in singles, partnering American Frank Tutvin.
1970
Belkin only played the main draw of only four professional circuit events in 1970, Cincinnati, the U.S. Clay Court Championships, Canadian Open, and U.S. Open, playing doubles in only the latter two events.At Cincinnati, Belkin was soundly beaten by Jeff Borowiak
Jeff Borowiak
Jeff Borowiak is a former tennis player from the United States, who won five singles and three doubles titles during his professional career. He played number one singles on one of the greatest collegiate tennis team of all time for the UCLA Bruins. Haroon Rahim played number two singles, Jimmy...
in the first round 1-6, 1-6. The following week in Indianapolis, he defeated Jean-Baptiste Chanfreau and G. Turner Howard before losing in three sets to Croat Željko Franulović
Željko Franulovic
Željko Franulović is a former Croatian tennis player who competed for Yugoslavia, best remembered for reaching the final of the French Open in 1970 where he lost against Czech Jan Kodeš in straight sets...
.
In Toronto, Belkin had a bye into the second round where he lost handily to Andrés Gimeno
Andrés Gimeno
Andrés Gimeno Tolaguera is a retired Spanish tennis player. He major achievement came in 1972, when he won the French Open....
2-6, 1-6. At Forest Hills, he also lost his first match in straight sets, in the first round to Frenchman player Pierre Barthes
Pierre Barthes
Pierre Barthès is a French retired professional tour tennis player.-Career:Born in Béziers, Barthès was one of the Handsome Eight and reached a career high singles ATP ranking in 1974 of World No. 54. Before the creation of the ATP ranking, he was one of the best twenty players in 1971. He was...
. In doubles at both tournaments, Belkin and partner John Sharpe lost in the first round.
1971
More active on the tour in 1971, Belkin competed in main draws in a total of 11 events, all Pepsi-Cola Grand Prix events but one, but not in any grand slam tournaments. In mid-February he played the New York Grand Prix, losing in the first round in singles, to Manuel OrantesManuel 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:...
4-6, 0-6, and doubles, partnering Richard Russell. The following week he competed in the Salisbury Grand Prix (in Salisbury, Maryland
Salisbury, Maryland
-Demographics:Salisbury is the principal city of the Salisbury-Ocean Pines CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Salisbury metropolitan area and the Ocean Pines micropolitan area , which had a combined population of 176,657 at the 2010 census.As of the census of 2000, there were...
), and again lost handily in the first round in singles, 2-6, 4-6 to Joaquin Loyo-Mayo
Joaquin Loyo-Mayo
Joaquin Loyo-Mayo played amateur and professional tennis in the 1960s and 1970s.Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Loyo-Mayo's playing career was coming to an end as the ATP Rankings were coming into being. He achieved a World No...
2-6, 4-6. In doubles, he and partner Tom Edlefsen reached the second round.
The following week, Belkin played the Macon Outdoor and did even better. Having a first round bye, he beat Jan Kodeš
Jan Kodeš
Jan Kodeš is a right-handed Czech former tennis player who won three Grand Slam events in the early-1970s.Kodeš's greatest success was on the clay courts of the French Open. He won the title there in 1970, beating Željko Franulović in the final, and in 1971, defeating Ilie Năstase in the final...
6-1, 7-5, before falling to Tom Gorman
Tom Gorman (tennis)
Tom Gorman is an American tennis player. He attended Seattle Preparatory School and was the Washington State high school tennis champion three years in a row. Gorman attended and graduated from Seattle University and was a two time All-American. He played in professional tour events in the 1960s,...
2-6, 5-7. In doubles, he and partner Nikola Spear
Nikola Spear
Nikola "Nikki" Spear is a former Yugoslavian international tennis player. He competed in the Davis Cup a number of times, from 1969 to 1975.- References :...
won two matches to reach the quarter-finals, where they lost to Kodes and Željko Franulović
Željko Franulovic
Željko Franulović is a former Croatian tennis player who competed for Yugoslavia, best remembered for reaching the final of the French Open in 1970 where he lost against Czech Jan Kodeš in straight sets...
. The following week at the Hampton Grand Prix
Hampton Grand Prix
The Hampton Grand Prix is a defunct Grand Prix affiliated tennis tournament played from 1971 to 1977. It was held in Hampton, Virginia in the United States and played on indoor hard courts....
, Belkin lost in the first round in both singles and doubles, falling in singles to Ion Ţiriac
Ion Tiriac
Ion Țiriac is a Romanian former tennis player and businessman. He is also the current owner of the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open.-Sports career:...
and in doubles partnering Edlefsen for a second time.
In April Belkin reached the semi-finals of the Houston Outdoor, losing in five sets in that round to Clark Graebner
Clark Graebner
Clark Graebner , is a retired American professional tennis player, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, who won a number of championships. He graduated from Northwestern University, where he joined the Delta Upsilon fraternity. Graebner's deceased wife, Carole, was also a successful touring tennis...
. His next action was in July, at the Washington Star International, a WCT
World Championship Tennis
World Championship Tennis was a tour for professional male tennis players established in 1968 and lasted until the emergence of the ATP Tour in 1990...
event. He scored easy wins over Roscoe Tanner
Roscoe Tanner
Roscoe Tanner is an American former professional tennis player, who turned pro in 1972 and reached a career high world singles ranking of World No...
and Patricio Comejo before losing to Andrés Gimeno
Andrés Gimeno
Andrés Gimeno Tolaguera is a retired Spanish tennis player. He major achievement came in 1972, when he won the French Open....
6-4, 2-6, 3-6. In doubles, Belkin and Richard Russell reached the second round. The following week in singles, Belkin reached the semi-finals of the Tanglewood Grand Prix, losing to Franulovic. In the quarters he crushed rookie tour player Jimmy Connors
Jimmy Connors
James Scott "Jimmy" Connors is an American former world no. 1 tennis player....
6-1, 6-2.
One week later Belkin reached the third round of the Cincinnati Outdoor, beating Rudy Hernando and 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....
before succumbing to Jaime Fillol
Jaime Fillol
Jaime Fillol is a former tennis player from Chile. He played amateur and professional tennis in the 1960s and 1970s.Fillol was ranked as high as world number 14 in singles on the ATP Rankings and number 82 in doubles .In the Open era , Fillol won seven singles titles and 15 doubles titles...
. In doubles, he again partnered Russell and the tandem reached the second round. The following week Belkin competed at the Canadian Open, losing in the first round in singles to Ray Ruffels
Ray Ruffels
Ray Ruffels is a former professional tennis player.Ruffels was an Australian Open semi-finalist in 1969 and 1975, and a quarter-finalist in 1968, 1970 and 1977....
, and in doubles partnering once again John Sharpe. The week after he lost to Ruffels again in Canada, and nearly by the identical score, at the Toronto WCT event. Belkin played one final time in 1971, singles at the Sacramento Outdoor, losing again in the first round, this time to Raymond Moore
Raymond Moore (tennis)
Raymond Moore , is a former professional tennis player from South Africa. During his career he won 8 doubles titles and finished runner-up an additional 12 times...
by default.
1972
Belkin played four American winter indoor events. In early February, he lost handily in singles in the first round in Omaha and Kansas City in consecutive weeks, both times to Ilie NăstaseIlie Nastase
Ilie Nastase is a Romanian former professional tennis player, one of the world's top players of the 1970s. Năstase was the World No. 1 tennis player between 1973 and 1974 . He is one of the five players in history to win more than 100 ATP professional titles . He was inducted into the...
. At the later tournament he also played doubles, with he and partner Tom Edlefsen losing in the second round. Two weeks later, Belkin reached the second round in singles in Salisbury, defeating Milan Holeček
Milan Holeček
Milan Holeček , is a former professional tennis player from Czechoslovakia, who retired in 1976. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 71 in singles on April 19, 1974.-Wins :-Wins :...
6-3, 6-4, before falling to Roscoe Tanner
Roscoe Tanner
Roscoe Tanner is an American former professional tennis player, who turned pro in 1972 and reached a career high world singles ranking of World No...
3-6, 3-6. In doubles, he and partner Hans Kary lost in the first round. The following week at the New York Indoor, Belkin lost in the first round to Alejandro Olmedo 3-6, 4-6.
Belkin saw his next main draw action in August. At the Tanglewood Grand Prix, he lost to Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton (tennis)
Dick Stockton , was a professional tennis player from the United States. He is currently the head coach of the men's tennis team at the University of Virginia....
4-6, 3-6. The following week at the U.S. Clay Court Championships, on Belkin's strongest surface, clay, he beat Jun Kuki and 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:...
before falling to Bob Hewitt
Bob Hewitt
Robert "Bob" Anthony John Hewitt is a former professional male tennis player from Australia...
in the round of 16. The following week in Montreal, he lost however in the first round, to Onny Parun
Onny 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...
, 7-6, 3-6, 1-6. In doubles, he and 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:...
reached the quarter-finals, losing there to the famous doubles team of Hewitt and Frew McMillan
Frew McMillan
Frew Donald McMillan is a former professional male tennis player from South Africa.He won five major doubles championships including three Wimbledons with Bob Hewitt. The most notable aspect of his game was that he had both a two-handed backhand and forehand, which simultaneously increased his...
. Two weeks later at the U.S. Open, Belkin was level with Cliff Drysdale
Cliff Drysdale
Cliff Drysdale is a former top-ranked professional tennis player of the 1960s and early 1970s who became a well-known tennis announcer. He was one of the Handsome Eight, signed by Lamar Hunt in 1968 for the newly formed World Championship Tennis group...
in the first set 5 games when he retired from the match. Belkin was entered one more main draw, in mid-September, the Montreal WCT, but withdraw from his first round match in both singles and doubles (partnering compatriot Richard Legendre
Richard Legendre
Richard Legendre is a former professional tennis player and a Quebec politician.- Tennis :Legendre once represented Canada at the Davis Cup and had a career-high tennis ranking of World No. 232 in singles...
).
1973
Belkin opened 1973 playing 3 indoor events in the States. He lost in the first round to Herb FitzgibbonHerb Fitzgibbon
Herb Fitzgibbon is a former tennis player who was nationally ranked in the 1960s and 1970s.Fitzgibbon played four years of high school tennis for Garden City High School and never lost a match...
in singles and in doubles partnering Nicholas Kalogeropoulos at the Baltimore Indoor in early January. Two weeks later at the Birmingham Indoor, Belkin reached the second round in singles beating Szabolcz Baranyi
Szabolcz Baranyi
Szabolcs Baranyi is a former professional tennis player from Hungary. He enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles...
6-4, 6-1, before losing to Jürgen Fassbender
Jürgen Fassbender
Jürgen Fassbender is a retired professional tennis player for West Germany.Fassbender won one singles and sixteen doubles titles on the ATP Tour. His best Grand Slam result was reaching the quarterfinals at the 1973 Wimbledon Championships.-Singles :...
3-6, 5-7. In doubles, he and partner Gavorielle Marcu
Gavorielle Marcu
Gavorielle Marcu is a former Romanian tennis player. His highest ATP ranking was number 204 achieved on April 30, 1975.-External links:...
lost in the first round. The following week, Belkin lost in the first round at the Omaha Indoor to Baranyi 3-6, 0-6.
The final 3 events Belkin played this year were ones held in Canada. In middle February, at the Calgary Indoor, Belkin defeated Hans Kary in three sets before falling to Paul Gerken 3-6, 1-6. In doubles he and partner Pat Cramer
Pat Cramer
Pat Cramer , is a former professional tennis player from South Africa. He enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 3 doubles titles.-Doubles titles :...
lost in the opening round. In August at the Canadian Open, Belkin beat 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:...
6-4, 6-3 in the first round and lost to Iván Molina
Iván Molina
Iván Molina is a former professional Colombian tennis player.Molina and Martina Navratilova teamed to win the 1974 French Open mixed doubles title, beating Rosie Reyes Darmon and Marcelo Lara 6–3, 6–3 in the final. Together with Florenţa Mihai, he reached the French Open mixed doubles final in...
in the second 4-6, 2-6. In October, Belkin appeared at the Quebec Grand Prix, losing in the first round to Haroon Rahim
Haroon Rahim
Haroon Rahim, is a Pakistani former tennis player. The former Pakistan and Asian number one, Rahim was the youngest tennis player ever to play for Pakistan in the Davis Cup at 15 years of age. He was also the highest ranking Pakistani tennis player ever...
4-6, 6-7(5). In doubles, he and partner, veteran Quebecer Robert Bedard, lost in the first round as well, 3-6, 1-6 to Onny Parun and Raymond Moore
Raymond Moore (tennis)
Raymond Moore , is a former professional tennis player from South Africa. During his career he won 8 doubles titles and finished runner-up an additional 12 times...
.
Belkin entered the first computer rankings, on September 13 at No. 145. Two weeks later, with the next rankings released, he stood at No. 128, his career high. In the final rankings released for the year, on December 14, Belkin was No. 161.
1974, 1975
Belkin played one event in 1974, the U.S. Pro Tennis ChampionshipsU.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...
, where he lost in the first round to 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:...
2-6, 2-6. On December 12, his singles ranking stood at World No. 318.
In 1975, Belkin competed in two events, also only in singles, both in Florida, his home state. These would be his last tour events to appear in. In early February, he lost in the first round to Jeff Borowiak
Jeff Borowiak
Jeff Borowiak is a former tennis player from the United States, who won five singles and three doubles titles during his professional career. He played number one singles on one of the greatest collegiate tennis team of all time for the UCLA Bruins. Haroon Rahim played number two singles, Jimmy...
6-7(5), 1-6 at the St. Petersburg WCT
St. Petersburg WCT
The St. Petersburg WCT was a men's tennis tournament played in St. Petersburg, Florida from 1974-1975. The event was part of the WCT Tour and was played on outdoor hard courts.-Men's singles:-Doubles:-References:*...
. Two weeks later, at the Boca Raton Grand Prix, he completed his touring career with his best result in years, reaching the quarter-finals. He defeated Rolf Thung 6-1, 6-4, Jan Kodeš
Jan Kodeš
Jan Kodeš is a right-handed Czech former tennis player who won three Grand Slam events in the early-1970s.Kodeš's greatest success was on the clay courts of the French Open. He won the title there in 1970, beating Željko Franulović in the final, and in 1971, defeating Ilie Năstase in the final...
7-5, 1-6, 7-6, before losing to Jürgen Fassbender
Jürgen Fassbender
Jürgen Fassbender is a retired professional tennis player for West Germany.Fassbender won one singles and sixteen doubles titles on the ATP Tour. His best Grand Slam result was reaching the quarterfinals at the 1973 Wimbledon Championships.-Singles :...
4-6, 3-6. This saw his next ranking, on March 5, rise to World No. 208. His final ranking, released on December 15 saw him rated at No. 222.
Davis Cup
Belkin first played 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...
for Canada
Canada Davis Cup team
The Canada Davis Cup team represents Canada in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by Tennis Canada.Canada currently competes in the Americas Zone of Group I. The team's best result came in its first appearance in 1913 when it reached the World Group final, losing to the United States 0–3...
in 1966 in two ties as Canada advanced to the Europe Group quarterfinals. Against Finland
Finland Davis Cup team
The Finland Davis Cup team represents Finland in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Suomen Tennisliitto.Finland currently compete in the Europe/Africa Zone of Group I. They have reached the World Group Play-offs three times. In 1999, they came within one set of...
in the first round, Belkin won the second rubber over Rauno Suominen 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. He also won a dead rubber as Canada defeated the Finns 4-1. In the next round however, Canada went up a strong French team
France Davis Cup team
The France Davis Cup team represents France in Davis Cup tennis competition, and is governed by the Fédération Française de Tennis.France is the third most successful nation, with 9 wins...
at Roland Garros stadium. Belkin lost the opening rubber 1-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 to François Jauffret
François Jauffret
François Jauffret is a retired professional tennis player from France. He holds the record for most ties played for the France Davis Cup team with 35, between 1964 and 1978....
. Belkin also lost the final, dead, rubber in 5 sets to Pierre Darmon
Pierre Darmon
Pierre Darmon was a French tennis player.In 1963, he reached his highest world ranking, # 8. He was also ranked in the top 10 worldwide in 1958 and 1964.-Tennis career:...
as Canada was swept 0-5.
The following year Belkin defeated Mike Sangster
Mike Sangster
Mike Sangster was one of the leading British tennis players of the 1960s.- Birth and Early Life :Mike Sangster was born in Kingskerswell, Devon on 11 September 1940. He attended Torquay Boys' Grammar School...
6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the opening rubber against Davis Cup
Great Britain Davis Cup team
The Great Britain Davis Cup team represents the United Kingdom in Davis Cup tennis competition and is controlled by the Lawn Tennis Association. The United Kingdom played in the very first International Lawn Tennis Challenge...
in Europe Group first round action, played in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
on clay. Britain won the next four rubbers however, including the doubles 12-10 in the fifth, with Roger Taylor and Bobby Wilson
Bobby Wilson (tennis)
Robert Keith Wilson is a former top-ranking English tennis player. Wilson reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon four times, Forest Hills twice, and Roland Garros once during the late 1950s and early 1960s...
overcoming Belkin and Keith Carpenter
Keith Carpenter
Keith A. Carpenter was one of Canada's top men's tennis players during 1960s.-Overview:Carpenter's best result was winning the Canadian Open Mens Doubles Championship in 1966 along side his older brother, Michael Carpenter. It was their first and only Grand Slam Event win for both brother's...
.
In 1968, Canada again fell at the first hurdle, losing the first round of North and Central America Semifinal action against Mexico
Mexico Davis Cup team
The Mexico Davis Cup team represents Mexico in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Federación Mexicana de Tenis.Mexico finished as runners-up in 1962. They currently compete in the Americas Zone Group II. They last competed in the World Group in 1997.-History:Mexico competed in...
. Played in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
on clay, Mexico swept Canada 5-0. Belkin lost the second rubber 14-16, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6 to Joaquim Loyo-Mayo. He again partnered Carpenter in the doubles, a match lost in straight sets.
The following year Canada defeated the Netherlands
Netherlands Davis Cup team
The Netherlands Davis Cup team represents the Netherlands in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Federation.The Netherlands currently competes in the Europe/Africa Zone Group I...
3-2 in the first round of Europe Group, with Belkin winning all 3 rubbers. In a tie played in Scheveningen, first he defeated Niklaus Fleury 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 in the second rubber. He and Harry Fauquier then won the doubles rubber in four sets. Then, in the deciding fifth rubber, Belkin beat Jan Horduk 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. In the next round, Canada faced the Soviet Union
Russia Davis Cup team
The Russia Davis Cup team represents Russia in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by the Russian Tennis Federation. The team started playing in 1993....
, in Moscow, and lost 1-4. Belkin took the only rubber off the Soviets when he beat Tomas Lejus 7-9, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 9-7. In a fifth, dead, rubber, Belkin retired down 2 sets to Alex Metreveli
Alex Metreveli
Alexander Metreveli is a retired Soviet amateur tennis player.Metreveli is probably best known for making the final at Wimbledon in 1973, where he lost to Jan Kodeš of Czechoslovakia...
.
In 1970, Canada won two ties before succumbing to Brazil
Brazil Davis Cup team
The Brazil Davis Cup team represents Brazil in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Brazilian Tennis Confederation.Brazil currently compete in the Americas Zone of Group I...
in the Americas Inter-Zone final. To reach that final they first beat the Caribbean and then New Zealand
New Zealand Davis Cup team
The New Zealand Davis Cup team represents New Zealand in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by Tennis New Zealand.New Zealand currently compete in the Asia/Oceania Zone of Group II. They have played in the World Group on 8 occasions, the most recent of which was in 1991. They reached...
in the North and Central American Group. They swept the Caribbean in early June in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
on clay, with Belkin defeating Lancelot Lumsden in five sets in the 2nd rubber and teaming with John Sharpe to win the doubles in straight sets. They then a week later beat New Zealand 3-2 in at the same venue. Belkin lost the first rubber to Brian Fairlie
Brian Fairlie
Brian Fairlie, born 13 June 1948 in Christchurch, is a retired tennis player from New Zealand. During his career from 1968 to 1979 he won four titles in doubles, all with the Egyptian player Ismail El Shafei, and two singles titles...
in straight sets. He then teamed with Sharpe to win the doubles. Belkin then won the deciding rubber over Onny Parun
Onny 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...
6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Against Brazil in São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, Belkin leveled the tie at a win apiece when Belkin beat José Edison Mandarino
José Edison Mandarino
José Edson Mandarino , is a Brazilian former right-handed tennis player.Mandarino played 109 matches for Brazil in the Davis Cup. He won 68 and lost 41...
. He and Sharpe however lost the doubles tie in 5 sets, despite being up 2 sets to 1. Belkin then beat Tomas Koch in four sets to again level the tie. John Sharpe was trounced by Mandarino in the final however, 1-6, 0-6, 2-6.
In 1971, Canada lost its only tie of the year, 2-3 to Mexico in Mexico City. Belkin won the second rubber over Loyo-Mayo in four sets, to level the tie. He and Sharpe lost the doubles, however, in four sets, to give the Mexicans the lead. Belkin won the fourth rubber over Marcelo Lara to, again, level the tie at 2-2. In the decider, Sharpe, facing Loyo-Mayo, won the first set but proceeded to lose the next three to lose. The following year saw the same foe and exactly the same result, a 2-3 lose, this time at a tie held in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
(at Jerico Tennis Club). Belkin again beat Loyo-Mayo, this time in rubber 1 and in five sets. Canada again lost the doubles rubber, as Belkin and Dale Power
Dale Power
Dale Power is a former top-ranked Canadian tennis player.Power held the best singles Davis Cup record by winning percentage of any Canadian player...
lost in four sets. Loyo-Mayo then defeated Anthony Bardsley in straight sets to give the win to Mexico. Belkin beat Raúl Ramírez
Raúl Ramírez
Raúl Ramírez is a retired Mexican professional tennis player. He was active during the 1970s and 1980s, and is regarded as one of the great all-around players of the modern era. Ramírez was also the first player to finish first in both singles and doubles Grand Prix point standings, accomplishing...
in a dead, fifth rubber.
Belkin concluded his Davis Cup career retiring from rubber 1 against Iván Molina
Iván Molina
Iván Molina is a former professional Colombian tennis player.Molina and Martina Navratilova teamed to win the 1974 French Open mixed doubles title, beating Rosie Reyes Darmon and Marcelo Lara 6–3, 6–3 in the final. Together with Florenţa Mihai, he reached the French Open mixed doubles final in...
of Colombia
Colombia Davis Cup team
The Colombia Davis Cup team represents Colombia in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Federación Colombiana de Tenis.Colombia currently competes in the Americas Zone of Group I and have never competed in the World Group...
, having lost the first set 7-9. Canada lost the North and Central America Group preliminary round tie 1-4. Belkin's career Davis Cup win-loss stands at 14 and 7 in singles and 3 and 5 in doubles, with all matches played outdoors on clay.
Post tour career
As of 2006, Belkin was tennis director at the Sonesta Beach Resort on Key BiscayneKey Biscayne
Key Biscayne is an island located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. It is the southernmost of the barrier islands along the Atlantic coast of Florida, and lies south of Miami Beach and southeast of Miami...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He joined the resort in 1993.