Frew Donald McMillan
Born: May 20, 1942
Hometown: Springs, South Africa
Citizenship: South Africa
Handed: Right
Inducted: 1992
Grand Slam Record
French Doubles 1972
Mixed 1966
Wimbledon Doubles 1967, 72, 78
Mixed 1979, 81
Mixed finalist 1977, 79
U.S. Doubles 1977
Mixed 1977-78
Mixed finalist 1970, 76, 79, 80
Tournament Record
Davis Cup Team Member 1965-69, 1973-78
Italian Doubles 1967
Doubles finalist 1972
Mixed finalist 1967
Side by side again entering the Hall of Fame in 1992, Frew Donald McMillan was reunited with his one-time collaborator on the team of Hewitt and McMillan. The unorthodox McMillan– stroking with two hands on both sides in the left court–and Bob Hewitt were a dynamite blend, winning five major titles (three Wimbledons) driving South Africa to the 1974 Davis Cup.
Love was the prime ingredient in bringing them together in 1966. It was Hewitt’s romance with his South African wife-to-be that moved the Australian westward to Johannesburg. When became eligible to play for his new land, Hewitt was yoked to McMillan in 1966, and they were an immediate hit. They won their first start together late that year, and didn’t lose until quarters of the French the following year, a 45-match streak.
In 1967 they won Wimbledon, and repeated in 1972 and 1978. A springy 6-foot-1, the slim McMillan was born in Springs, South Africa, May 20, 1942, and grew up there.
“We were touch and thrust,” he says of the combination that was so winning over a 15-year period. “Right from the start each of us knew what the other would do. Bob had wonderful returning touch from the first court.” McMillan, a right-hander, handled the racket like a cricket bat and could slug or chip. Distinctive beneath a tiny white cap that partially covered his shining dark hair, Frew was the first player of international prominence of two-way, two-fisted swinging.
A straight-set Wimbledon quarterfinal win over five-time champs John Newcombe and Tony Roche en route to the 1978 title showed them at their very best. They continued lethally through the final, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, over Peter Fleming and John McEnroe. Spanning the amateur and open eras, they added 60 titles to their five majors. McMillan’s individual total of pro doubles titles was 74, third on the all-time list behind Tom Okker (78) and McEnroe (77). Frew won two pro singles titles. He also had five major mixed titles, and two Wimbledons and two U.S. with Betty Stove, for a career of 10 majors.
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