View source for Rex Hartwig

{{Short description|Australian tennis player (1929–2022)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox tennis biography
| name                          = Rex Hartwig
| image                         = Rex Hartwig.png
| image_size                    =
| caption                       =
| fullname                      = Rex Noel Hartwig
| country                       = {{flagu|Australia}}
| residence                     =
| birth_date                    = {{birth date|df=yes|1929|09|02}}
| birth_place                   = [[Culcairn, New South Wales]], Australia
| death_date                    = {{death date and age|df=yes|2022|12|30|1929|09|02}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Tribute: Remembering Rex Hartwig |url=https://www.tennis.com.au/news/2022/12/31/tribute-remembering-rex-hartwig |website=Tennis Australia |language=en-AU |date=31 December 2022}}</ref>
| death_place                   =
| height                        =
| turnedpro                     = 1950 (amateur tour)
| retired                       = 1962
| plays                         = Right-handed (1-handed backhand)
| careerprizemoney              =
| tennishofyear                 =
| tennishofid                   =
| singlesrecord                 = 172–70
| singlestitles                 = 14
| highestsinglesranking         = No. 5 (1954<small>, [[The Daily Telegraph|Lance Tingay]]</small>)<ref name="USLTAEncyclopedia">United States Lawn Tennis Association (1972). ''Official Encyclopedia of Tennis'' (First Edition), p. 426.</ref>
| AustralianOpenresult          = F ([[1954 Australian Championships – Men's singles|1954]])
| FrenchOpenresult              = 4R ([[1953 French Championships – Men's singles|1953]], [[1954 French Championships – Men's singles|1954]])
| Wimbledonresult               = QF ([[1954 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|1954]])
| USOpenresult                  = F ([[1954 U.S. National Championships – Men's singles|1954]])
| Othertournaments              = yes
| Proother                      = yes
| TOCresult                     = RR ([[Tournament of Champions (tennis)#Forest Hills 1958|1958]]<sup>FH</sup>)
| Olympicssresult               =
| doublesrecord                 =
| doublestitles                 =
| highestdoublesranking         =
| grandslamsdoublesresults      = 
| AustralianOpenDoublesresult   = '''W''' (1954)
| FrenchOpenDoublesresult       =
| WimbledonDoublesresult        = '''W''' (1954, 1955)
| USOpenDoublesresult           = '''W''' (1953)
| OthertournamentsDoubles       = 
| OlympicsDoublesresult         = <!-- optional -->
| Mixed                         = <!-- optional, adds mixed information-->
| mixedtitles                   =
| mixedrecord                   =
| highestmixedranking           =
| AustralianOpenMixedresult     = '''W''' (1953, 1954)
| FrenchOpenMixedresult         = F (1954)
| WimbledonMixedresult          = QF (1954)
| USOpenMixedresult             =
 |Team                          = yes
| DavisCupresult                = '''W''' ([[1953 Davis Cup|1953]], [[1955 Davis Cup|1955]] )
}}

'''Rex Noel Hartwig''' (2 September 1929 – 30 December 2022) was an Australian [[tennis]] player.<ref name="age1">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vKwTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XccDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6917,3281613|title=N.S.W. Tennis Title To Rex Hartwig in Three Sets|last=Harper|first=Jack|date=23 November 1954|work=The Age}}</ref>

==Early life==
Rex Hartwig was born on 2 September 1929 in [[Culcairn, New South Wales]]. Both parents played tennis and at age 10 he won a local tournament with his father. At 13, Hartwig began competing in afternoon competitions and took a job managing tennis courts in Albury. He formed a doubles team with [[Allan Kendall|Allan Kendall Jr.]] and won the NSW, Victorian and Australian Junior titles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rex Hartwig|url=http://tennishistory.com.au/2011/03/rex-hartwig/|publisher=Australian Tennis History|date=16 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Allan Kendall: Ace at tennis was smash on children's TV|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/allan-kendall-ace-at-tennis-was-smash-on-childrens-tv-20140130-31p9a.html|access-date=31 January 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|author=Malcolm Brown}}</ref>

==Tennis career==
Hartwig was ranked World No. 5 in both 1954 and 1955 by [[Lance Tingay]] of ''The Daily Telegraph''.<ref name="USLTAEncyclopedia"/>

;Wimbledon
He won the doubles in [[Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] twice: in 1954 with [[Mervyn Rose]] and in 1955, with [[Lew Hoad]].<ref name="wimbledon1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/roll_of_honour/mens-doubles.html|title=Men's Doubles Finals 1884–2008|work=Wimbledon Website|publisher=All England Lawn Tennis Club|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103214301/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/roll_of_honour/mens-doubles.html|archive-date=3 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="sarasota1">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PAUdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w4oEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2216,946696|title=Rex Hartwig Inks Pro Tennis Pact|date=9 November 1955|work=Sarasota Journal}}</ref>

;Australian Championships
In 1954, Hartwig was runner-up at the Australian championships to his Davis Cup teammate [[Mervyn Rose]].

In 1953, he won the doubles with Rose and the mixed doubles with [[Julia Sampson Hayward]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47566482 |title=Rose-Hartwig "Best in World Doubles". |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide |date=30 January 1954  |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In 1954 he again won the mixed doubles title in [[Australian Open|Melbourne]], this time partnering [[Thelma Coyne Long]].<ref name="australianopen1">{{cite web|url=http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/men_s_doubles.html|title=Men's Doubles Champions|work=Australian Open|publisher=Tennis Australia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310151723/http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/men_s_doubles.html|archive-date=10 March 2010}}</ref><ref name="australianopen2">{{cite web|url=http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/mixed_doubles.html|title=Mixed Doubles Champions|work=Australian Open|publisher=Tennis Australia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012013459/http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/mixed_doubles.html|archive-date=12 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="spokane1">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6JkSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ofYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5466,925230|title=Hoad Criticized For Tennis Play|date=3 December 1954|work=Spokane Daily Chronicle}}</ref>

;U.S. Championships
In 1953, he won the doubles title at the [[US Open (tennis)|U.S. Championships]] with Mervyn Rose, defeating [[Gardnar Mulloy]] and [[Bill Talbert]] in the final that lasted 77 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100380370 |title=Rose, Hartwig Win U.S. Doubles Tennis Title. |newspaper=[[Goulburn Evening Post]] |location=NSW |date=24 August 1953 |page=3 Edition: Daily and Evening |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name="usopen1">{{cite web|url=http://2009.usopen.org/en_US/about/history/mdchamps.html|title=Champions – Men's Doubles Championships|work=US Open|publisher=United States Tennis Association}}</ref>

Playing singles, he made the final in 1954, defeating [[Tony Trabert]] and [[Ken Rosewall]] but losing in the final to [[Vic Seixas]].<ref name="usopen2">{{cite web|url=http://2009.usopen.org/en_US/about/history/mschamps.html?=SN|title=Champions – Men's Singles Championships|work=US Open|publisher=United States Tennis Association}}</ref>

;Davis Cup
Hartwig was member of the [[Australian Davis Cup team]] in 1953, 1954 and 1955. In [[1953 Davis Cup|1953]], he played the doubles match with [[Lew Hoad]] in the [[1953 Davis Cup#Challenge round|challenge round]] against the US and lost to [[Vic Seixas]] and [[Tony Trabert]]. This was Hartwig's only [[Davis Cup]] defeat. In [[1954 Davis Cup|1954]], he defeated Seixas in the challenge round that Australia lost to the U.S. In [[1955 Davis Cup|1955]], he made a significant contribution toward Australia's Cup win, playing 11 matches in six ties and winning all of them. He compiled a 12–1 win–loss record in the Davis Cup (6–0 singles, 6–1 doubles).<ref name="daviscup1">{{cite web|url=http://www.daviscup.com/en/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=10003618|title=Rex HARTWIG|work=Davis Cup Official Website|publisher=International Tennis Federation}}</ref><ref name="si1">{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1130160/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026074421/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1130160/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 October 2012|title=Wanted: At Least Three Young Men|last=Talbert|first=William F.|date=5 September 1955|work=Sports Illustrated|access-date=19 March 2010}}</ref><ref name="si2">{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1129015/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026074428/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1129015/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 October 2012|title=No Year For Kings|last=Talbert|first=William F.|date=20 September 1954|work=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>

;Other tournaments
In March 1952, Hartwig won the [[South Australian Championships]] at Milton Courts, Adelaide defeating [[Ken McGregor]] in the semifinal and Rose in the final in a close five-set match.

In November 1954, Hartwig won the singles title at the [[Sydney International|New South Wales Championships]] in Sydney. He defeated Rosewall in the semifinal and Rose in the final in three straight sets.<ref>{{cite news|title=N.S.W. Tennis Title To Rex Hartwig in Three Sets|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vKwTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XccDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6868%2C3281596|newspaper=The Age|date=23 November 1954}}</ref>

;Professional
In November 1955, Hartwig turned professional by signing a contract with tennis promoter [[Jack Kramer]] for a fixed amount of $30,000 plus a percentage of the gate receipts of the professional tour.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rex Hartwig Inks Pro Tennis Pact|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PAUdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w4oEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2216%2C946696|newspaper=Sarasota Journal|date=9 November 1955|page=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hopman Advised Me – Rex Hartwig|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HhsRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FpUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5111%2C1452751|newspaper=The Age|date=10 November 1955|page=12}}</ref>

==Playing style==
Hartwig was known for his well-timed groundstrokes and his crisp and accurate volleys. Australian tennis player and coach [[Harry Hopman]] characterized Hartwig as a great stylist.<ref>{{cite web|title=Player Profiles – Rex Hartwig|url=http://www.tennis.com.au/player-profiles/rex-hartwig|publisher=Tennis Australia}}</ref>

== Grand Slam finals ==

=== Singles (2 runners-up) ===

{|class="sortable wikitable" 
!style="width:40px"|Result
!style="width:30px"|Year
!style="width:165px"|Championship
!style="width:50px"|Surface
!style="width:160px"|Opponent
!style="width:120px" class="unsortable"|Score
|- style="background:#ffffcc"
| style="background:#FFA07A"|Loss || 1954 || [[Australian Open|Australian Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Mervyn Rose]] || 2–6, 6–0, 4–6, 2–6
|- style="background:#ccccff"
| style="background:#FFA07A"|Loss || 1954 || [[US Open (tennis)|U.S. Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Vic Seixas]] || 6–3, 2–6, 4–6, 4–6
|}

=== Doubles (4 titles – 1 runner-up)===

{|class="sortable wikitable" 
!style="width:40px"|Result
!style="width:30px"|Year
!style="width:165px"|Championship
!style="width:50px"|Surface
!style="width:160px"|Partner
!style="width:160px"|Opponents
!style="width:120px" class="unsortable"|Score
|- style="background:#ccffcc"
| style="background:#FFA07A"|Loss || 1953 || [[Wimbledon Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Mervyn Rose]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Lew Hoad]] <br/> {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Ken Rosewall]] || 4–6, 5–7, 6–4, 5–7
|- style="background:#ccccff"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Win || 1953 || [[US Open (tennis)|U.S. Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|AUS}} Mervyn Rose || {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Gardnar Mulloy]] <br/> {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Bill Talbert]] || 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
|- style="background:#ffffcc"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Win || 1954 || [[Australian Open|Australian Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|AUS}} Mervyn Rose || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Neale Fraser]] <br/> {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Clive Wilderspin]] || 6–3, 6–4, 6–2
|- style="background:#ccffcc"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Win || 1954 || [[Wimbledon Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|AUS}} Mervyn Rose || {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Vic Seixas]] <br/> {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Tony Trabert]] || 6–4, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4
|- style="background:#ccffcc"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Win || 1955 || [[Wimbledon Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Lew Hoad]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Neale Fraser]] <br/> {{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall || 7–5, 6–4, 6–3
|}

=== Mixed doubles (2 titles, 2 runners-up)===

{|class="sortable wikitable" 
!style="width:40px"|Result
!style="width:30px"|Year
!style="width:165px"|Championship
!style="width:50px"|Surface
!style="width:160px"|Partner
!style="width:160px"|Opponents
!style="width:120px" class="unsortable"|Score
|- style="background:#ffffcc"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Win || 1953 || [[Australian Open|Australian Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Julia Sampson Hayward|Julia Sampson]] || {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Maureen Connolly]] <br/> {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ham Richardson]] || 6–4, 6–3
|- style="background:#ccccff"
| style="background:#FFA07A"|Loss || 1953 || [[US Open (tennis)|U.S. Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|USA}} Julia Sampson || {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Doris Hart]] <br/> {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Vic Seixas]] || 2–6, 6–4, 4–6
|- style="background:#ffffcc"
| style="background:#98FB98"|Win || 1954 || [[Australian Open|Australian Championships]] || Grass || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Thelma Coyne Long]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Beryl Penrose]] <br/> {{flagicon|AUS}} [[John Bromwich]] || 4–6, 6–1, 6–2
|- style="background:#ebc2af"
| style="background:#FFA07A"|Loss || 1954 || [[French Open|French Championships]] || Clay || {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jacqueline Patorni]] || {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Maureen Connolly <br/> {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Lew Hoad]] || 4–6, 3–6
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{ATP}}
* {{ITF profile}}
* {{Davis Cup player}}
* {{Tennis Australia}}
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/video/triumph-for-rose-and-hartwig-aka-australia-wins-do British Pathé filmreel – 1953 US Championships Men's Doubles title]

{{navboxes top|title=Rex Hartwig in the [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam tournaments]]}}
{{Australian Championships men's doubles champions}}
{{U.S. National Championships Men's doubles champions}}
{{Wimbledon men's doubles champions}}
{{Australian Championships mixed doubles champions}}
{{Australian Championships boys' doubles champions}}
{{navboxes bottom}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hartwig, Rex}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Australian Championships (tennis) champions]]
[[Category:Australian male tennis players]]
[[Category:People from the Riverina]]
[[Category:Tennis players from New South Wales]]
[[Category:United States National champions (tennis)]]
[[Category:Wimbledon champions (pre-Open Era)]]
[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in mixed doubles]]
[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in men's doubles]]
[[Category:Professional tennis players before the Open Era]]
[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in boys' doubles]]
[[Category:Australian Championships (tennis) junior champions]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales]]