The legendary Welby Van Horn is one of the few top players in tennis history who also went on to become a great coach. In 1939, Van Horn became the youngest player ever to reach the finals of a Grand Slam at Forrest Hills, at the age of 19. Turning pro, he competed successfully against the likes of Jack Kramer, Pancho Gonzalez, Don Budge, and Bobby Riggs. In 1951, he moved to Puerto Rico for his health and began an amazing career in which he developed over 100 nationally ranked American junior players, including Charlie Pasarell who became the top American player. Now 82, Welby lives in the Palm Springs area, where he is Tennis Pro Emeritus at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Over the years, Welby’s students were easily recognized by the fluid classical style and all court play that were hallmark’s of his teaching. He is shown here with Katarina and Marina Raiscevic, two successful Southern California junior players he developed who prove that his distinctive style is alive and well in the new millennium.
