Bernard Mitton

Infobox Tennis player
playername= Bernard Mitton


nickname=
country= flagicon|RSA|1928 Republic of South Africa
residence= Irvine, California, USA
datebirth= birth date and age|1954|09|11
placebirth= Vryburg, South Africa
height= height|m=1.87
weight= 84 kg (185 lbs.)
turnedpro= 1973
plays= Right-handed;
careerprizemoney= ?
singlesrecord= 199–218
singlestitles= 2
highestsinglesranking= 54 (December 15, 1975)
AustralianOpenresult= 2nd (1978, 1982)
FrenchOpenresult= 3rd (1977)
Wimbledonresult= 4th (1973 - 1976)
USOpenresult= 4th (1980)
doublesrecord= 210–191
doublestitles= 9
highestdoublesranking= 20 (June 25, 1984)
updated =June 10, 2008

Bernard Mitton, born November 9, 1954 is a professional male tennis player in both singles and doubles from the Republic of South Africa. He was born in Vryburg, South Africa.

Bernard Mitton reached his highest rank in singles of #51 in the world, on December 15, 1975, and in doubles of #20 on June 25, 1984. His career record in singles in the ATP tour was 199–218, winning two titles. In doubles, he went 210–191, winning 9 titles.

His 2 title wins in singles include: Newport (1978) and San Jose (1979), and he reached the finals in 3 tournaments: San Jose (1978), Adelaide (1979) and Johannesburg (1981).

His 9 title wins in doubles include: Auckland (1979); Stowe, Cologne (1980); Richmond WCT (1981); Johannesburg (1981); Tampa (1981); Columbus (1982); Ferrara (1983); and La Quinta (1984). He appeared as a finalist in 8 further tournaments: Sarasota (1978); North Conway (1978); Rotterdam (1979); Maui (1982) Ancona (1982); Toulouse (1983); Florence (1984), London / Queen's Club (1984).

Mitton has career wins over McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Ashe in singles. Although he failed to reach the Quarter Finals in any of the Grand Slams, he reached the 4th round on 3 separate occasions.

In his very first slam in 1973, he reached the 4th round of Wimbledon, defeating: Andres Battad; Zan Guerry; Deon Zoubert; before losing to Jimmy Connors in straight sets, (3–6 3–6 2–6).

In 1976, he reached the fourth round again at Wimbledon, defeating: Eric Deblicker; Sasha Menon; former champion John Newcombe, (3–6 6–3 9–7 9–7); before falling to Raul Ramirez, (7–9 6–3 1–6 1–6).

In 1980, he reached the 4th Round at the US Open, defeating: José Luis Clerc, (6–3 6–2 4–6 2–6 7–5); Juan-Carlos Ayala; Sammy Giammalva Jr; before finally losing to Jimmy Connors in straight sets, (6–7, 4–6, 4–6).

Mitton retired from the tour in 1984 and joined the Newport Beach Tennis Club as Director of Tennis. From 2000–2003 was at Rancho San Clemente and is currently teaching at The Racket Club of Irvine, California. He has three children, Natalie, Brend and Olivia.

ingles titles

{| class="wikitable"
- bgcolor="#efefef"
No.
Date
Tournament
Surface
Opponent in the final
Score
- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
1.
July 10, 1978
Newport, Rhode Island, USA
Grass
flagicon|AUS John James
6-1 3-6 7-6
- bgcolor="dfe2e9"
2.
March 19, 1979
San Jose, Costa Rica
Hard
flagicon|USA Tom Gorman
6-4 6-4 6-3

ingles finalist (3)

*1978: San Jose (lost to Arthur Ashe)
*1979: Adelaide (lost to Kim Warwick)
*1981: Johannesburg (lost to Kevin Curren)

Doubles Titles (9)

*1979: Auckland (with ?)
*1980: Stowe, Cologne (with ?)
*1981: Richmond WCT (with ?)
**Johannesburg: (with ?)
**Tampa: (with ?)
*1982: Columbus (with ?)
*1983: Ferrara (with ?)
*1983: La Quinta (with ?)

External links