The Australian flags flew at half mast throughout the State of Victoria today to acknowledge the funeral of Neale Fraser.
Neale Andrew Fraser AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) “in recognition of service to the sport of tennis”, and MBE (Member of the British Empire) also awarded for his service to tennis, died on the 3rd of December at the age of 91.
His life and contribution to tennis was honoured by the Victorian Premier with a State Funeral at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.
Anticipating the packed church, his family permitted the service to be streamed around the country.
As first speaker at the service, Premier Jacinta Allen described how “cricket superfan Neale studied the legspin bowlers, watching how they turned the ball in different directions by cocking their wrists. It would inspire his legendary lefthand serve… and his craft of ‘spin serve’ (sic) was unreadable and deceptive, setting him apart from his competitors”.
Politicians from all sides of politics paid their respects alongside players Fraser guided in his long reign as Australia’s Davis Cup Captain – Paul MacNamee, Todd Woodbridge, Mark Edmondson and John Fitzgerald. Current Davis Cup Captain Lleyton Hewitt was also in attendance with a teammate from his playing days, Sam Groth, now a politician himself.
Photo: Vanessa Taylor
It was the memories of Fitzgerald which provided the most enlightening and entertaining tribute to his Captain’s career. He reminded us that Fraser had achieved the No.1 ranking in both singles and doubles and as a Davis Cup player had a win-loss record of 18-3. Fraser played his whole career as an amateur, deciding not to turn pro and foregoing the income, to keep alive his ambition to eventually become Davis Cup Captain. He was appointed to the position in 1970 and led the Australian teams for 24 years.
Fitzgerald related how “Frase” won his first Davis Cup as Captain in 1973, “bringing, arguably, our greatest team ever together – Laver, Rosewall, Newcombe and Anderson. Wow, what a team!”
Ten years later, he secured a victory with “us”, said Fitzgerald, pointing at his two teammates who were present. “Cash, MacNamee, Edmondson, Fitzgerald. Not one player in the Top 30 in the world at the time.”
Whenever one of his Davis Cup players went to play the first game of a rubber, Fraser would instruct them “First serve, first point”.
And at the change of ends as they sat next to him in his customary court side lounge chair, if they had played a good game he would tell them, “Beautiful, pal”.
Amongst the light-hearted anecdotes, Fitzgerald recalled that the transistor radio glued to Fraser’s ear during the players’ practice sessions was not as they presumed to check the weather forecast, but to listen to the horse races.
At the request of Fraser’s widow Thea, Fitzgerald read a letter she received from Roger Federer during the week. The personally signed page said:
Dear Thea,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Neale’s passing. He was a true legend of our sport and his remarkable achievements and leadership continue to inspire players and fans everywhere.
I always enjoyed seeing Neale during the tournaments around the world and appreciated his warm presence. He and his generation set an incredible example for all of us to follow.
Please know that Mirka, our family and I are keeping you and your loved ones in our thoughts during this difficult time.
With sympathy, Roger
Photo: Vanessa Taylor
Fraser’s daughter Melissa spoke of her father’s passion for other sports – golf, horse racing, Australian Rules football – as well as his great love for his wife of 35 years, Thea; and his “scallywags” as he called his five children from his first marriage to Wendy, three step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the Fraser family in collaboration with Tennis Australia and the Australian Davis Cup Tennis Foundation invited donations to the Neale Fraser Scholarship “to provide financial support to athletes aspiring to represent Australia in the Davis Cup competition”. The players selected for the scholarship “would need to align to the values” for which Fraser was renowned.
The cathedral bells pealed in the single tone of F natural and resounded around central Melbourne for five minutes.
As soon as the final bell tolled, a lone bagpiper commenced Scotland the Brave and led the funeral procession to farewell this member of Clan Fraser. Mourners lined both sides of the street in a Guard of Honour and applauded as the procession passed. “Beautiful, pal.”
Photo: Vanessa Taylor
Title photo – the cover of the State Funeral program