Ben Press
| Ben Press | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 21, 1924 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 9, 2016 (aged 92) Coronado, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupation |
|
| Employer |
Kona Kai Club Hotel del Coronado Hilton Beach and Tennis Club |
| Known for | Tennis |
Ben Press (May 21, 1924 – September 9, 2016) was an American tennis player, coach, and writer, known for his involvement in World Team Tennis, his connection with the Hotel del Coronado, and as teacher of tennis standouts such as Maureen Connolly and Karen Hantze Susman.
Press was raised in the University Heights and North Park neighborhoods of San Diego, California. Interested from an early age in tennis, his early tennis teachers included longtime San Diego tennis coach Wilbur Folsom. Press's neighbors in North Park included Ted Williams, with whom Press would play baseball and tennis growing up; and Maureen "Little Mo" Connolly, who would count Press as a lifelong friend, competitor, and coach. Press was considered a top junior player, and won the Bob Carrothers Sportsmanship Award. He played varsity tennis at UCLA.
Press's playing career included wins at the La Jolla Championship Summer Tournament in 1949 and 1951. Press played against such contemporaries as Jack Kramer, Bill Tilden, Bobby Riggs, Pancho Gonzales, Whitney Reed, and Tony Trabert. In addition, Press won three USTA Senior National mixed doubles titles with Jeanne Doyle Garrett in 1970, 1973, and 1974, and represented the United States against Canada four times for the Gordon Trophy.
Press was one of the founders of the San Diego Friars in World Team Tennis. He was a nonplaying assistant coach and part owner of the 1974 WTT champion Denver Racquets.
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