In Memoriam: Welby Van Horn

Welby Van Horn: a unique hybrid of player and teacher. If you go to the Teaching Systems section of Tennisplayer (Click Here) you can find one of the most detailed, powerful, and influential approaches to tennis ever created, from Welby Van Horn, our friend, who passed this life in September at the age of 94. Welby was the highest level player in the history of American tennis to become a systematic teacher. He reached the final of the U.S. Nationals losing to Bobby Riggs in 1939. He won the U.S. Professional Championship in 1945. No doubt he was one of the 10 best players of his era in both the amateur and the professional ranks.` Welby began teaching in the 1940’s while still playing professional tennis. In 1951 he moved to Puerto Rico hoping the climate would help his chronic asthma. Working with local kids who had never played tennis, he forged an almost unbelievable record of developing elite junior players. 7 won U.S. National junior championships. Over 20 were ranked in the top 50 in the U.S. Men’s. His best known student, Charlie Pasarell, won the NCAA singles and doubles, became number one in the country, went on to…