Haroon Rahim

Haroon Rahim (born 12 November 1949) is a Pakistani former tennis player. The former Pakistan and Asian No. 1, Rahim was the youngest tennis player ever to play for Pakistan in the Davis Cup at 15 years of age. He was also the highest ranking Pakistani tennis player (a career-high singles ranking of World No. 34 in October 1977). He led the UCLA team to victory with Jeff Borowiak and Jimmy Connors in 1970–71 and was 1971 NCAA doubles champion with Jeff Borowiak.[1]

Haroon Rahim
Country (sports) Pakistan
Born (1949-11-12) 12 November 1949
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Turned pro1968
PlaysRight-handed
Singles
Career record119–150
Career titles2
Highest rankingNo. 34 (24 October 1977)
Grand Slam Singles results
French Open2R (1975)
Wimbledon2R (1976, 1977)
US Open3R (1971)
Doubles
Career record101–127
Career titles3
Grand Slam Doubles results
French Open2R (1972)
Wimbledon3R (1976)
US OpenQF (1971)

He was from the Punjab city of Lahore, from a large family of avid tennis players. His father, Mir Abdur Rahim, was a civil servant who encouraged his children, sons and daughters, to play tennis. His father loved tennis so much that he said he wanted to die on the tennis court. In 1968, he died of a heart attack while playing doubles with friends at the picturesque Mayo Gardens, Lahore.

Haroon Rahim was only the second Pakistani after Khawaja Saeed Hai to make it to the Wimbledon's main draw. He played in many Grand Slams, in both singles and doubles. Rahim won two ATP titles, the first at Little Rock against former Wimbledon runner up Alex Metreveli of the Soviet Union, and then the second at Cleveland against Colin Dibley, both in 1976.

He also lost a final to Spanish US Open winner and French Open finalist Manuel Orantes.

He also won 3 doubles titles, one at Oslo in 1974, North Conway in 1975 and Little Rock in 1978. Success was seen in the men's doubles where he made it to the quarterfinals of the US Open, the third round of Wimbledon, and the second round of the French Open.[2]

Haroon Rahim is the winner of the closest match ever played, he beat Tom Gorman 6–7(3–5), 7–6(5–1), 7–6(5–4) Pennsylvania Grass Championships, as both players never losing their serve, each set went to a tie break with Haroon winning the match by just one point.

Last known to be in the U.S., Haroon retired from tennis, severed contact with his family, and his whereabouts are unknown.[3]

Grand Slams performance timelines

Singles
Tournament1977197619751971
Australian Open - - - -
French Open - - 2R -
Wimbledon 2R 2R - -
US Open - - - 3R

Doubles
Tournament197619721971
Australian Open - - -
French Open - 2R -
Wimbledon 3R - -
US Open - - QF

ATP career finals

Singles (2 titles, 3 runners-up)
Result No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1. Mar 1972 Caracas, Venezuela Hard Manuel Orantes 4–6, 5–7, 4–6
Win 2. Jan 1976 Cleveland, United States Carpet Alex Metreveli 6–4, 6–4
Win 3. Mar 1976 Little Rock, United States Carpet Colin Dibley 6–4, 7–5
Loss 4. Jan 1977 Little Rock, United States Carpet Sandy Mayer 2–6, 4–6

Doubles (3 titles, 3 runners-up)
Result No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1. Feb 1971 New York City, United States Carpet Jimmy Connors Juan Gisbert Sr
Manuel Orantes		 6–7, 2–6
Win 2. Nov 1974 Oslo, Norway Hard(i) Karl Meiler Jeff Borowiak
Vitas Gerulaitis		 6–3, 6–2
Win 3. Aug 1975 North Conway, United States Clay Erik van Dillen John Alexander
Phil Dent		 7–6, 7–6
Loss 4. Oct 1975 Maui, United States Hard Jeff Borowiak Fred McNair
Sherwood Stewart		 6–3, 6–7, 3–6
Loss 5. Mar 1976 Little Rock, United States Hard(i) Giuliano Pecci Syd Ball
Ray Ruffels		 3–6, 7–6, 3–6
Win 6. Jan 1977 Little Rock, United States Хард(i) Colin Dibley Bob Hewitt
Frew McMillan		 6–7, 6–3, 6–3

References
  1. "Haroon Rahim". Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  2. "Haroon Rahim". Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  3. "Crazy Diamonds". Retrieved 1 December 2012.
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