Lookout Mountain native Roscoe Tanner is, quite simply, the greatest tennis player Tennessee has ever produced. His name became widely known in the tennis world during a dazzling career that brought him victories from all corners of the globe. Although respected for his 153 mph serve, Tanner gained millions of fans in 1979 for his courageous losing battle against heavily-favored Bjorn Borg in the final at Wimbledon. Tanner, who attended the Baylor School at Chattanooga, was ranked number one in the U.S. eighteen-under age group and led the Red Raiders to the National High School Championship twice. At Stanford University, Tanner was named to the NCAA All-America team three years, was runner-up in the NCAA singles twice, and with Sandy Mayer, won the NCAA doubles. As a collegian, Tanner also won the U.S. Amateur Indoor Championship and the U.S. Amateur Tournament before turning pro in 1972. By 1979 he was ranked number four in the world. In open competition, he won the championships of New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and England and the indoor U.S. title. He collected sixteen major championships and was runner-up in fifteen other events. Tanner teamed with Arthur Ashe to win the World Nations Cup twice and was on the Davis Cup team five times, winning it in 1981. A member of the NCAA and Southern Tennis Association halls of fame, Roscoe Tanner has left an indelible mark on the world of tennis.
