Jones, Perry

Perry Thomas Jones “Mr. Tennis, Perry T.”
Born: June 22, 1890
Died: September 16, 1970
Hometown: Etiwanda, California, United States
Citizenship: United States
Inducted: 1970

Tournament Record
Davis Cup Captain 1958-59

Contributions
President Southern California Association

Director Pacific Southwest Tournament

A powerful figure in making Southern California a tennis vineyard of champions, Perry Thomas Jones oversaw the game from his office at the Los Angeles Tennis Club for well over a quarter-century. As president of the Southern California Association and director of the Pacific Southwest Championships, he was active in the game from bottom to top, singling out promising juniors for attention and travel and making his tournament one of the best in the U.S.

In short, Perry T. Jones, as he was called, stood imposingly as Mr. Tennis of West Coast, an exceptional the fund-raiser whose judgement and help forwarded the careers of numerous stars, including Jack Kramer, Billie Jean King and Dennis Ralston.

The last was Alex Olmedo, the Peruvian student at the University of Southern California. Maneuvering controversially, Jones got him, the only non-citizen to play for the U.S., approved for the Davis Cup team in 1958, citing the fact that Peru had no team. Jones, the captain that year, was understandably eager to have Olmedo aboard. Olmedo led the U.S. to the Cup over Australia. Jones also captained the losing 1959 team. He was born June 22, 1890, in Etiwanda, CA and died September 16, 1970, in Los Angeles. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1970.

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