Pierre Darmon
Encyclopedia
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.
He was French national junior champion in 1950.
Darmon won the French national singles championship a record 9 times, obtaining his first title in 1957 and last one in 1968. He also won the French national doubles championship in 1961 (with Pintail) and 1966 (with Francois Jauffret).
In 1963, Darmon was French Open Singles runner-up, losing the Grand Slam
final to Roy Emerson
6–3, 1–6, 4–6, 4–6. That same year, he reached the Wimbledon
Doubles finals with partner Jean Claude Barclay, before falling to Mexico
’s Antonio Palafox
and Rafael Osuna
in the title match.
He was international veterans mixed double champion with his wife Rosy Darmon in 1961, and in 1968 and 1975 with Gail Chanfreau
.
Team from 1956-67. He played 68 Davis Cup matches, winning 44.http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:XiUqtif23xEJ:www.daviscup.com/teams/player.asp%3Fplayer%3D10002767+pierre+darmon&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=27&gl=us Darmon holds France’s record for the most wins and most singles victories. He played in 34 Davis Cup ties for France, second only to compatriot Francois Jauffret who played one more.
from 1969 through 1978; and, Director of the European Tennis Bureau of the Association of Tennis Professionals
(ATP) in 1973, a member of the ATP Board of Directors 1974-79, and a member of the Men's International Professional Tennis Council 1974-79.
In 1979 Darmon took on the position of European Director for ProServ
, where he stayed until 1990; whereupon he returned to ATP Europe as its Chief Executive through 1996.http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:mN_PAquN6QoJ:www.itftennis.com/abouttheitf/news/thisweekarchive/2002%2520This%2520Week%2520-%2520Issue%252047%2520-%25202%2520December%25202002.pdf+%22pierre+darmon%22+tennis+proserv&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
in 1997.http://www.jewishsports.net/biopages/PierreDarmon.htm
In November 2002, The International Tennis Hall of Fame
and International Tennis Federation
honored Darmon with the Davis Cup Award of Excellence, awarded to individuals who represent the ideals and spirit of Davis Cup competition.http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:mN_PAquN6QoJ:www.itftennis.com/abouttheitf/news/thisweekarchive/2002%2520This%2520Week%2520-%2520Issue%252047%2520-%25202%2520December%25202002.pdf+%22pierre+darmon%22+tennis+proserv&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
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
A schoolboy tennis prodigy, Darmon was the top-ranked tennis star in France from 1957 to 1969 (he shared # 1 in ’57 and ’69).He was French national junior champion in 1950.
Darmon won the French national singles championship a record 9 times, obtaining his first title in 1957 and last one in 1968. He also won the French national doubles championship in 1961 (with Pintail) and 1966 (with Francois Jauffret).
In 1963, Darmon was French Open Singles runner-up, losing the 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...
final to Roy Emerson
Roy Emerson
Roy Stanley Emerson is an Australian former tennis player who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 Grand Slam men's doubles titles. He is the only male player to have won singles and doubles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments. His 28 Grand Slam titles are an all-time record for a male...
6–3, 1–6, 4–6, 4–6. That same year, he reached the 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...
Doubles finals with partner Jean Claude Barclay, before falling to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
’s Antonio Palafox
Antonio Palafox
Antonio Palafox was a Mexican male tennis player. He and compatriot Rafael Osuna won the doubles at the U.S. Open in 1962 and at Wimbledon in 1963.He is a former coach of John McEnroe.-References:...
and Rafael Osuna
Rafael Osuna
Rafael Osuna Herrera is the most successful tennis player in the history of Mexico. He was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and is best remembered for his singles victory at the U.S. Open Championships in 1963, winning Wimbledon Doubles championships twice, the U.S...
in the title match.
He was international veterans mixed double champion with his wife Rosy Darmon in 1961, and in 1968 and 1975 with Gail Chanfreau
Gail Chanfreau
Gail Chanfreau , also known as Gail Lovera and Gail Benedetti, is a former amateur and professional tennis player....
.
Davis Cup
Darmon was a member of France’s 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...
Team from 1956-67. He played 68 Davis Cup matches, winning 44.http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:XiUqtif23xEJ:www.daviscup.com/teams/player.asp%3Fplayer%3D10002767+pierre+darmon&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=27&gl=us Darmon holds France’s record for the most wins and most singles victories. He played in 34 Davis Cup ties for France, second only to compatriot Francois Jauffret who played one more.
Career after Competition
Off the court, Darmon was Tournament Director of the French Open at Roland GarrosStade Roland Garros
Le Stade de Roland Garros is a tennis venue located in Paris, France. It hosts the French Open tennis tournament , a Grand Slam event played annually in May and June. The facility was constructed in 1928 to host France's first defense of the Davis Cup...
from 1969 through 1978; and, Director of the European Tennis Bureau of the Association of Tennis Professionals
Association 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) in 1973, a member of the ATP Board of Directors 1974-79, and a member of the Men's International Professional Tennis Council 1974-79.
In 1979 Darmon took on the position of European Director for ProServ
ProServ
Professional Services Inc., was one of the first sports management firms. Initially focused on tennis, the company would grow to become among the world's largest sports marketing, athlete management, event production, and TV companies....
, where he stayed until 1990; whereupon he returned to ATP Europe as its Chief Executive through 1996.http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:mN_PAquN6QoJ:www.itftennis.com/abouttheitf/news/thisweekarchive/2002%2520This%2520Week%2520-%2520Issue%252047%2520-%25202%2520December%25202002.pdf+%22pierre+darmon%22+tennis+proserv&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
Singles: 1 (0-1)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| Runner-up | 1963 | French Championships | Clay |  Roy EmersonRoy Emerson Roy Stanley Emerson is an Australian former tennis player who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 Grand Slam men's doubles titles. He is the only male player to have won singles and doubles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments. His 28 Grand Slam titles are an all-time record for a male... |
3–6, 6–1, 6–4, 6–4 |
Doubles: 1 (0-1)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| Runner-up | 1963 | Wimbledon Championships 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... |
Grass | Jean Claude Barclay |  Antonio PalafoxAntonio Palafox Antonio Palafox was a Mexican male tennis player. He and compatriot Rafael Osuna won the doubles at the U.S. Open in 1962 and at Wimbledon in 1963.He is a former coach of John McEnroe.-References:... Rafael OsunaRafael Osuna Rafael Osuna Herrera is the most successful tennis player in the history of Mexico. He was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and is best remembered for his singles victory at the U.S. Open Championships in 1963, winning Wimbledon Doubles championships twice, the U.S... |
Hall of Fame and Award
Darmon, who is Jewish, was inducted into 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 1997.http://www.jewishsports.net/biopages/PierreDarmon.htm
In November 2002, The International Tennis Hall of Fame
International Tennis Hall of Fame
The International Tennis Hall of Fame is located in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. The hall of fame and honors players and contributors to the sport of tennis and includes a museum, grass tennis courts, an indoor tennis facility, and a court tennis facility.-History:The hall of fame and...
and International Tennis Federation
International Tennis Federation
The International Tennis Federation is the governing body of world tennis, made up of 205 national tennis associations.It was established as the International Lawn Tennis Federation by 12 national associations meeting at a conference in Paris, France on 1 March 1913...
honored Darmon with the Davis Cup Award of Excellence, awarded to individuals who represent the ideals and spirit of Davis Cup competition.http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:mN_PAquN6QoJ:www.itftennis.com/abouttheitf/news/thisweekarchive/2002%2520This%2520Week%2520-%2520Issue%252047%2520-%25202%2520December%25202002.pdf+%22pierre+darmon%22+tennis+proserv&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us