Vancouver can rightfully be considered a sports city, writes ivancouver. It has given the world a remarkable number of renowned athletes and coaches.
In this article, based on tennis.life, we will discuss a man whose passion for tennis led him to achieve great success in the sport.
A Famous Tennis Player
Lorne Main is widely recognized in the sports world as a Vancouver tennis player and coach. In 1954, he won an international tennis championship and was a multiple-time Canadian champion. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he actively participated in veteran tennis tournaments.
Early Successes
According to tennis historian Bud Collins, Main was the first tennis player to use both right- and left-handed two-handed grips.
The subject of our story was born on July 9, 1930, in Vancouver. He won his first tennis competition at the age of nine. In 1944, he claimed the title of champion of British Columbia.
By the age of sixteen, he was ranked first among Canadian athletes. From 1946 to 1948, he held the title of Canadian champion in the under-18 category.
In 1949, Main reached the finals of the senior championship.
University Years
In 1949, Main also began his university studies, receiving a sports scholarship. For two years, he played for the university’s team.
Later, he became part of the Canadian national team and represented the country in seven seasons.
Later Victories
From 1951 to 1954, Main consistently ranked first among Canadian tennis players.
He won the Canadian championship twice. The year 1954 proved to be his most successful, as he advanced to the third round of all three Grand Slam tournaments. This culminated in his spectacular victory at the international championship.
Veteran Competitions
In 1986, Main became an active participant in veteran tennis tournaments organized by the International Tennis Federation.
Over the next three decades, he won forty championship titles in various age categories, ranging from fifty-five to eighty-five years.
In 2010, Main set a new record for the number of awards in veteran competitions.
He was crowned the absolute world champion four times, winning singles, doubles, and team events in the same year.
Main claimed his last title in 2015. The following year, he retired from veteran competitions.
Prestigious Awards
It is worth noting that in 2012, Main became the first recipient of the International Tennis Federation’s prestigious award for his achievements in veteran tennis.
Thanks to his early successes, Main earned an honored place in Vancouver’s Hall of Sports Fame.
In addition, Main actively coached the next generation of tennis players.
A Life-Changing Meeting
Interestingly, during his frequent sports travels, Main often slept in his car.
While participating in tournaments, he relied on the hospitality of friends, of which he had many around the world.
During one of his trips, Main met Australian tennis player Adrienne Avis, who later became his life partner.
In his later years, Main’s health significantly deteriorated. His life came to an end in the fall of 2019, at the age of eighty-nine.