Paul Molloy’s thoughts on players and matches

When Paddle Tennis News asked about the memorable matches he saw, this was his response. These recollections appeared in the March edition of PTN:

“I wish I had some vivid recollections of the classic matches involving Hebard, Carver, Pardoe, Harrison, O’Hearn and others. They were all great. Ted Winpenny comes to mind as the cagiest player I ever saw. Very steady and sneaky good.

Of the players I have umpired for over the last 16 years, there are several that stand out in my mind. Bob Kingsbury gave the most effort. I wish I had a dollar for every time he scraped himself up going for and usually getting an impossible shot.

Greg Brents was the fastest I ever saw. There was no way you could send a ball past him that he couldn’t get back and retrieve. Watching Hank Irvine was a joy. He has great style and no one ever covered his partner as he did. Herb Fitz Gibbon’s serve return and Keith Jennings backhand off the side wire were the best.

From where I sit, Doug Russell doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Only Dick Hebard rivals Russell for partnering so many championship caliber teams. Over a period of about 15 years, he won big matches and championships with Dick Squires, Graebner, Gray, Bob Kleinert and probably some others I have missed.

My nomination for the best all around player of the last decade would have to be Rich Maier. Consistent, aggressive, and punishing. He keeps coming at you, always applying pressure and forcing errors.

My favorite match was the win by Irvine and Greg Moore in the Nationals three years ago. To see Hank come back and win after being out of the game for a few years was tremendously popular and exciting.”

Source: Platform Tennis News, March 1989