Bob Murray
Major Accomplishments
First Canadian to win an international tournament (1935 Scottish Championship).
Canada’s No. 1 player in 1937 and ranked No. 2 in 1938.
Singles finalist at the Canadian Open Championship (Rogers Cup) in 1937 and finalist in the men’s doubles (with Laird Watt) in 1937 and 1938.
Biography
Bob Murray played on the McGill University tennis team and graduated with a law degree.
Murray was the first Canadian to capture an international tournament as he won the 1935 Scottish Championship defeating the host country’s Ian Collins and D. MacPhail en route to the title. That same year he reached the final of a tournament in Bermuda defeating Frankie Parker and Wilmer Hines before losing to Bitsy Grant in the final 6-4,3-6,1-6, 6-2, 7-5. He reached the Bermuda final again in 1936 and the semi-finals in 1937. He also reached the round of 16 at Forest Hills.
He competed in the Montreal Cup tournament in 1936 where he defeated Roger Durivage in the final. He had won the first two sets, but lost the third and fourth set. He was able to fight back after several rain delays to win his match in the fifth set 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3.
Prior to the final, Murray was in a tough five-set semifinal against Marcel Rainville, who was a very tough opponent. Murray quickly found himself down 6-3, 6-1 and felt pressure to win the third. He was able to take the third set, but then felt pressure again to win the fourth. Murray won the fourth at 9-7 and made quick work of Rainville in the fifth 6-0 as Rainville was exhausted at that point.
Murray only played Davis Cup once for Canada (1938). Canada did not enter a team in 1956-37, his prime playing years,in order that he, Marcel Rainville and Laird Watt could travel to Europe to gain experience. He and Hall of Famer Laird Watt, his old collegiate teammate, made a strong doubles combination.
“Murray is the type that is never beaten until the last point is decided, and is a decidedly cool performer under fire,” (Canadian Lawn Tennis and Badminton, September 1936).
He was then the runner-up at the Canadian Championships in 1937, defeated by American W. Senior 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6.