Tennis Canada is saddened to be taught of the passing of former Canadian No. 1 and Davis Cup participant Dale Energy. Energy handed away on Could 17 on the age of 74.
Throughout his enjoying profession, which started within the late Sixties and lasted till the early Eighties, Energy was constantly ranked among the many High 10 Canadians and was the Canadian No. 1 in 1979. On the Nationwide Championships, Energy received every little thing there was to win, being topped nationwide champion in singles and doubles, indoors and open air, at each the junior and males’s stage.
He was inducted into the Tennis Canada Corridor of Fame in 2006.
“Dale Energy, a real legend of Canadian tennis, had extraordinary achievements together with being ranked No. 1 ranked in Canada and a Davis Cup group member. He was a cherished determine in Canadian tennis, recognized not just for his unbelievable ability and dedication but additionally for his unwavering dedication to the game,” mentioned Gavin Ziv, CEO of Tennis Canada. “His ardour and management impressed numerous gamers and followers, leaving a long-lasting affect on our group, he will probably be missed.”
In Davis Cup play, Energy contested twelve matches over seven ties for the nationwide group. He made his debut in 1972 and competed for the ultimate time in 1979. Energy made Davis Cup historical past in 1976 throughout a match in opposition to Alvaro Betancur of Colombia once they performed the longest singles set within the historical past of the competitors.
After the Canadian took the opening set 6-4, the pair battled via a 46-game second set (tiebreaks had not but been launched to the Davis Cup) which in the end went the best way of Betancur 24-22. Nevertheless, Energy obtained the final giggle, in the end successful the match in 5 units because the Canadian squad swept Colombia. That report of 46 video games in a set nonetheless stands as a Davis Cup report.
On the 1977 French Open, he and associate Greg Halder upset the defending champions Fred McNair and Sherwood Stewart within the first spherical.
A multi-sport athlete, Energy was additionally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1969 however selected to deal with tennis.
His final skilled match on the ATP Tour was in 1983 on the Nationwide Financial institution Open in Montreal. After his enjoying profession, Energy labored as a coach with Tennis Canada and as a membership professional at golf equipment within the Toronto space.
“Dale was beloved a lot. He lived a full life. A free spirit at coronary heart, he had the flexibility to make us smile and giggle. He will probably be dearly missed by household, pals and our tennis group,” mentioned Hatem McDadi, former Senior Vice President, Excessive Efficiency Growth at Tennis Canada, who was himself coached by Energy throughout his enjoying days.
“I’ll miss him a lot. The moments and reminiscences with Dale will probably be cherished. It was so particular to acknowledge Dale and the Davis cup group previous gamers final summer time [at the National Bank Open following Canada’s 2022 Davis Cup victory]. What a journey and legacy he left for those that crossed paths with him, our tennis group and nation. The reminiscences and considered Dale brings a smile as his spirit will proceed to shine.”
