Willard Crocker

Major Accomplishments

Davis Cup team member from 1923-1930.
Canada’s No. 2-ranked player from 1926-1929.
Won the Canadian Open men’s singles in 1925 and the men’s doubles in 1923, 1925 and 1929.

Biography

Willard Crocker won the men’s singles at Canadian Open Championships (Rogers Cup) in 1925 defeating American W. Scott in four sets. He played a memorable match in 1929 losing to American Frank Shields, a top US Player, 4-6, 12-10, 7-5, 4-6, 9-7. He captured three men’s doubles crowns as well in 1923, 1925 and 1929 with his Davis Cup and McGill University teammate, Jack Wright. He was runner-up in 1924. He was also the provincial champion in both Ontario and Quebec, singles and doubles in 1923 and 1925.
Crocker attended McGill University to study medicine and English. He also competed on the school team and was team captain of the tennis team in 1920 when he captured both the singles and doubles Canadian intercollegiate championships. He was a member of the Canadian Davis Cup team 1923-1930 and posted an overall record of 8-16, 5-11 in singles and 3-5 in doubles action.

Crocker also travelled outside of Canada to compete in the United States National Championship twice, in 1923 and 1924. He reached the Round of 16 in his second appearance. He also played once at the Wimbledon Championships and made it to the second round, after defeating British player, Jack Harrison, in straight sets.

In addition to being inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame, Crocker was also inducted into the Canadian Amateur Sports Hall of Fame and the McGill Redmen Hall of Fame in 1999.