Black Tennis Hall Of Fame

Born on September 8, 1945, Russell’s career was marked by numerous historic achievements that cemented his legacy as Jamaica’s greatest tennis player.

He remains the only Jamaican to progress past the first round in all four Grand Slam tournaments – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open, including a flawless 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 victory over Richie Chopra at the 1966 Australian Championships.

Russell was a national champion at just 16 and became the most successful player for the Caribbean/West Indies in Davis Cup history, winning a record 10 rubbers between 1964 and 1976. His pivotal role in the 1966 Davis Cup tie against Venezuela, where he secured the deciding fifth match, earned the Caribbean team their first-ever victory. That same year, he teamed with Lance Lumsden to defeat Arthur Ashe and Charlie Passarel in doubles, a match that has become part of Jamaican sports lore.

In addition to his Grand Slam accomplishments, Russell made headlines for his victory over tennis legend Arthur Ashe in the final of the 1966 Kingston International Championships. This marked the first—and only—time a Jamaican won the prestigious ILTF Caribbean Circuit event. His career also included titles like the 1975 Kenya Championships and significant wins against renowned players such as Dennis Ralston in 1972.

Russell’s career was decorated with numerous accolades, including induction into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019. He was a founding member of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and served as director of Tennis Jamaica starting in 2012. From 2011 to 2012, he also chaired the all-island high school tennis championships, underscoring his dedication to nurturing local talent.

Off the court, Russell remained a passionate advocate for the sport. Through the Russell Tennis Academy, which he operated at Campion College and Hillel Academy, he dedicated his later years to mentoring young athletes and promoting tennis across Jamaica.

He also brought star power to Montego Bay as director of tennis at the Half Moon Club for 25 years, organizing celebrity events featuring icons like Illie Năstase, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Pancho Gonzales, and Pancho Segura.

In recognition of his contributions to the sport and the country, Richard Russell was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government in 2022.

“He was not only a champion on the court but also a champion for the development of tennis in Jamaica,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board.

Russell is survived by his five children—four sons and a daughter—who carry forward the legacy of a man whose accomplishments have left an indelible mark on Jamaican sports history.

CNW - Caribbean National Weekly, January 15, 2025

On January 15, 2025, Robert C. "Bob" Davis passed away. He now joins his mother and father, William and Doris, and his siblings, Bill, Shirley and Yvonne in peaceful eternal rest. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.

Having spoken with Bob just a few weeks ago, our Founder of Black Tennis Hall of Fame, Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, President of Centenary University, in a short amount of time stated, "Bob Davis was one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. I will always be grateful to him for lending his tennis celebrity to serve as the first Executive Director and then President of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame. We worked together like brothers to get the organization ready for our current CEO Shelia Curry. He will be missed by many people in and out of tennis."

Chief Executive Officer Shelia Curry shared that "Just as his brother Wilbert "Billy" Davis was a "Blueprint for Life," so was Bob. It was Bill who contacted me and told me he believed that work of mine he had reviewed was very similar to what his brother was doing. He gave me Bob's phone number and told me that I should call him. From that day to this one, being brought into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame under a mountain of leadership and guidance from both Bob and Dale, my commitment and dedication to the true significance of this organization will never change... as also will my heart for missing Bob."

The legacy of Robert C. "Bob" Davis will forever be a significant component of the history of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame. At the 2025 Annual Induction Ceremony, an honorable moment of time will be provided to celebrate the gift of his life.

Biography

Born in New York City during segregation, Bob was introduced to tennis at the age of 8. Because of his color, he was not permitted to play in USLTA tournaments, but there was an alternative, the American Tennis Association (ATA).

The ATA was created in 1916 to provide a competitive and networking venue for minorities. During the 1950 and early 60’s, Bob became a 2-time ATA National Champion; winning the ATA Junior National title and the Men's Doubles title with his brother, Hall-of-Famer Bill Davis. A hitting partner for Hall of Famer Althea Gibson and a Life member of the ATA, he competed in the U.S. National Championships (U.S. Open) at Forest Hills and was a USTA Mixed Doubles National Champion in 2006.

Off the court, Bob leased the largest private tennis club in New York State in the '70s and managed his family-owned sleep- over tennis Academy in the 1980's.

He then helped to create and was the National Program Director for the Ashe/Bollettieri "Cities" Tennis Program (ABC), which later became the Arthur Ashe Safe Passage Foundation. As CEO, this program introduced tennis to more than 20,000 inner-city children and provided health screenings, tutoring and academic support to these children in 10 U.S. cities across America. To date, these services have been provided to more than 85,000 inner-city children across America.

Once the Arthur Ashe Safe Passage Foundation closed its doors, Bob created Black Dynamics, Inc., which offered
scholarships to the most talented minority youth to the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy. The founding belief of Black Dynamics was that youngsters needed world-class competition in order to reach world-class performance. Two
alumni of Black Dynamics represented the United States on the Federation Cup Team.

Bob then created the Panda Foundation, Inc. (www.thepandafoundation.com). The Panda Foundation, modeled after the wildly successful Safe Passage Foundation, provides introductory tennis instruction to more than 500 urban youth each year. These under-served youth also receive dental and health related services as well as mentoring by local professionals. All Panda programs are free to the children.

Bob co-wrote Nick Bollettieri’s autobiography, “Bollettieri – Changing the Game” and continued to write
articles for Nick for many years. Bob also coaches professional players and, in 2014, was added to the coaching delegation of the Jamaican Davis Cup Team. He was inducted into the ATA’s New England Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2006, the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in August, 2014, inducted into the Tampa Bay Tennis Hall of Fame in December, 2014
and the USTA Eastern Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2022. Bob is the father of two daughters, Tanya and Robyn.
Tanya is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Robyn has a Master’s degree from Bentley College in Boston. Bob’s life mission has been, and continues to be, giving to youngsters some of the life-changing opportunities that were given to him: Teaching Tennis and Changing Lives!

Career Accomplishments:

• Winner of more than 50 tennis championships, including
   o   ATA National Junior Champion, 1961, Participant US Open, Forest Hills, New York
   o   ATA Open Men’s Doubles Champion, 1962, Participant US Open, Forest Hills, New York
   o   2006 Senior Mixed Doubles National Champion
   o   2024 Men’s 80s Doubles National Champion
• Five Hall of Fame Inductions
• Four Star Professional Master Tennis Coaches Guild
• National Tester USPTR (1978-1990) and USPTR Professional Certification (26 years)
• Private tennis coach of two adult players in the world’s top 50 – one reaching world’s top 5, the
other reaching number 42
• Launched the Black Tennis History website
• Owner/Manager - Taromar Tennis Academy (1982-1997)
• Developed the Bob Davis Tennis Classic, a professional tennis tournament designed to raise
funds to provide scholarships to needy youth to the Taromar summer camp