General Zenzo
Shimidzu
Male
Japan
1891-03-25
Tokyo, Japan
1977-04-12
Amagaski city, Japan


About

Shimizu graduated from the Tokyo Higher Commerce School (now Hitotsubashi University). He reached the All-Comers final of the Wimbledon Championships in 1920, where he lost to Bill Tilden 4?6, 4?6, 11-13. At the 1921 Wimbledon Championships he reached the semifinal which he lost to Manuel Alonso in five sets. He also was a member of Japan's Davis Cup team that finished second to United States in 1921. In 1921 he won the singles title at the Queen's Club Championships by defeating Mohammed Sleem in the final in straight sets. He established the earliest period of Japanese tennis together with Ichiya Kumagae.
Shimizu was ranked World No. 4 by A. Wallis Myers of The Daily Telegraph in 1921.
Shimizu was mainly a baseline player. His forehand grip was described as 'faulty' but nevertheless his passing shots, which he hit low and with topspin, were judged as excellent. Shimizu's backhand was orthodox and played with force from the baseline. His service was hit at shoulder height with precision and reverse twist but without great speed. His forehand volleys were comparatively weak but his backhand volleys and his smash were first-class.[2] In his book The Art of Lawn Tennis Bill Tilden describes Shimuzu as a baseline player and marvelous court coverer with an uncanny accuracy in his shots. In comparing Shimuzu to his countryman Kumagae he states that Shimizu had a superior backhand and low volleying skills but lacked Kumagae's forehand drive and had a weaker service. Their high volleying skills and overheads were judged equal.[3]



Media


Archive statistics 1914 - 1924
10
67
53


Tournament wins 1922 - Greenwich Tennis Club Invitation (Amateur)
1921 - Queens Club Tournament (ATP)
1920 - Gipsy (Amateur)
1920 - Bengal Championships (Amateur)
1920 - Sheffield (Amateur)
1919 - Bengal Championships (Amateur)
1918 - Bengal Championships (Amateur)
1918 - Western India Championships (Amateur)
1916 - Bengal Championships (Amateur)
1913 - Bengal Championships (Amateur)


Tournaments US Open - 1924 US Open - 1923 US Open - 1922 US Clay Courts - 1922 Greenwich Tennis Club Invitation - 1922 Wimbledon - 1921 US Open - 1921 Queens Club Tournament - 1921 Wimbledon - 1920 Queens Club Tournament - 1920 World Hardcourt Championships - 1920 Kent Championships - 1920 Bengal Championships - 1920 Gipsy - 1920 Sheffield - 1920 Bengal Championships - 1919 Western India Championships - 1919 Bengal Championships - 1918 Western India Championships - 1918 Bengal Championships - 1916 Western India Championships - 1916 Bengal Championships - 1915 Bengal Championships - 1914

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