Photo : Peter Power
Tennis Canada is saddened to learn of the passing of former Canadian No. 1 and Davis Cup player Dale Power. Power passed away on May 16 at the age of 74.
During his playing career, which began in the late 1960s and lasted until the early 1980s, Power was consistently ranked among the Top 10 Canadians and was the Canadian No. 1 in 1979. At the National Championships, Power won everything there was to win, being crowned national champion in singles and doubles, indoors and outdoors, at both the junior and men’s level.
He was inducted into the Tennis Canada Hall of Fame in 2006.
“Dale Power, a true legend of Canadian tennis, had extraordinary achievements including being ranked No. 1 ranked in Canada and a Davis Cup team member. He was a cherished figure in Canadian tennis, known not only for his incredible skill and determination but also for his unwavering dedication to the sport,” said Gavin Ziv, CEO of Tennis Canada. “His passion and leadership inspired countless players and fans, leaving a lasting impact on our community, he will be missed.”
In Davis Cup play, Power contested twelve matches over seven ties for the national team. He made his debut in 1972 and competed for the final time in 1979. Power made Davis Cup history in 1976 during a match against Alvaro Betancur of Colombia when they played the longest singles set in the history of the competition.
After the Canadian took the opening set 6-4, the pair battled through a 46-game second set (tiebreaks had not yet been introduced to the Davis Cup) which ultimately went the way of Betancur 24-22. However, Power got the last laugh, ultimately winning the match in five sets as the Canadian squad swept Colombia. That record of 46 games in a set still stands as a Davis Cup record.
At the 1977 French Open, he and partner Greg Halder upset the defending champions Fred McNair and Sherwood Stewart in the first round.
A multi-sport athlete, Power was also drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1969 but chose to focus on tennis.
His last professional match on the ATP Tour was in 1983 at the National Bank Open in Montreal. After his playing career, Power worked as a coach with Tennis Canada and as a club pro at clubs in the Toronto area.
“Dale was loved so much. He lived a full life. A free spirit at heart, he had the ability to make us smile and laugh. He will be dearly missed by family, friends and our tennis community,” said Hatem McDadi, former Senior Vice President, High Performance Development at Tennis Canada, who was himself coached by Power during his playing days.
“I will miss him so much. The moments and memories with Dale will be cherished. It was so special to recognize Dale and the Davis cup team past players last summer [at the National Bank Open following Canada’s 2022 Davis Cup victory]. What a journey and legacy he left for those who crossed paths with him, our tennis community and nation. The memories and thought of Dale brings a smile as his spirit will continue to shine.”
Celebration of Life
Please join us in celebrating the life of Dale Power on Saturday, June 1st, 2024.
- 10 am to 11 am ~ St. Basil’s Catholic Parish, 50 St Joseph St, Toronto, ON M5S 1J4
- 11:30 am to 3:30 pm ~ Toronto Lawn Tennis Club, Philpott Room, 44 Price St, Toronto, ON M4W 1Z4
Please send your photos for the reception tribute wall to Sarah Power power126@hotmail.com.
Donations in lieu of flowers to Doug Philpott Inner-City Tennis Fund.
