John Donald Budge was and is still considered one of the best players to ever play the game, the legendary American tennis player. He became the first player ever involved in winning all four Grand Slam singles titles in 1938. He passed away on January 26, 2000.
On June 13, 1915, Donald Budge was born. In his early twenties he started to make a splash in the tennis scene. He won the Wimbledon‘s men’s doubles, men’s singles, and, mixed doubles all in the very same year and became the first male tennis player to do so. The U.S. team was led to a win by him, later in 1937.
Budge was awarded by members of the Associated Press as nation’s outstanding amateur athlete, Athlete of the Year in both 1937 and 1938 and was honored of being given the James E. Sullivan award in 1937.In a row, Don had won 14 different tournaments as well as 92 matches.
Budge served in the Air Force and in WWII, in his early forties and took a leave from tennis. In 1954, his tennis was never quite the same although he still went on to beat Pancho Gonzales and some of the world’s best tennis player in their prime.
Around the world, the topic has been largely debated by tennis pros, where Donald Budge sits in terms of all-time tennis greats. He is considered by many to be the greatest player to play the game. The players who could be considered better than Budge in his prime are Jack Kramer and Ellsworth Vines.
Of Donald Budge’s generation, it is very apparent that he was the most dominant tennis player, no matter where he stands on the all-time greatest list and has secured his place in tennis history. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964, in Newport Rhode Island and his legacy will continue to live on.

Ellsworth Vines · Grand Slam singles titles · Jack Kramer · John Donald Budge · men's singles · Wimbledon's men's doubles