Origins & Early Life

Henry Christian Hopman CBE (12 August 1906 – 27 December 1985) was an Australian tennis player and coach. Harry Hopman was born on 12 August 1906 in Glebe, Sydney as the third child of John Henry Hopman, a schoolteacher, and Jennie Siberteen, née Glad. His family then moved to Parramatta. Hopman started playing tennis at the age of 13 and, playing barefoot, won an open singles tournament on a court in the playground of Rosehill Public School where his father was headmaster.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was later a student at Parramatta High School where he played tennis and cricket. Hopman was the successful captain-coach of 22 Australian Davis Cup teams from 1939 to 1967. With players such as Frank Sedgman, Ken McGregor, Lew Hoad, Ken Rosewall, Rod Laver, Neale Fraser, John Newcombe, Fred Stolle, Tony Roche, Roy Emerson, Ashley Cooper, Rex Hartwig, Mervyn Rose and Mal Anderson, he won the cup an unmatched 16 times. In late 1951, when it appeared that Davis Cup player Frank Sedgman was about to turn professional, Hopman used his column in the Melbourne Herald to lead a fundraising campaign designed to keep Sedgman in the amateur ranks. Enough money was raised to purchase a petrol...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. J. P. Taylor — Contemporary (Born in 1906) (1906): Influential English historian specializing in 19th and 20th-century European diplomacy.
• Ajahn Buddhadasa — Contemporary (Born in 1906) (1906): Pioneering Thai Buddhist monk known for reinterpreting doctrine and fostering religious reformation.
• Albert Hofmann — Contemporary (Born in 1906) (1906): Swiss chemist renowned for synthesizing LSD and pioneering psychedelic research.
• Alexander Ovechkin — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): Iconic Russian left winger and captain for the Washington Capitals.
• Allyson Felix — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): Legendary American track and field athlete, specializing in the 200m and 400m.
• Anita Włodarczyk — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): Polish hammer thrower, world record holder, and Olympic champion.
• Abul Fazl — Shared historical date (08-12 · Died) (1602): Pioneering Mughal historian, writer, and Grand Vizier of Emperor Akbar's court.
• Adam Johann von Krusenstern — Shared historical date (08-12 · Died) (1846): Russian admiral and explorer, famed for leading the first Russian circumnavigation.
• Benazir Bhutto — Shared historical date (12-27 · Died) (2007): Pioneering Pakistani stateswoman, first woman PM in a Muslim-majority nation.
• Carrie Fisher — Shared historical date (12-27 · Died) (2016): Iconic actress and writer, best known for Princess Leia in Star Wars.
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