1. Vytautas "Vitas" Kevin Gerulaitis was an American professional tennis player.
18 Facts About Vitas Gerulaitis
1. 2.
Vitas Gerulaitis was ranked world No 3 in men's singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals in 1978.
3.
Vitas Gerulaitis won two Italian Opens in 1977 and 1979, and the 1978 WCT Finals.
4.
Vitas Gerulaitis's younger sister Ruta was a professional tennis player; both siblings' native language was Lithuanian.
5.
Vitas Gerulaitis led the Pittsburgh Triangles to the World TeamTennis championship title at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena in 1975.
6.
Vitas Gerulaitis played for the league's Indiana Loves franchise in 1977.
7.
Vitas Gerulaitis was coached by Fred Stolle from 1977 until 1983.
8.
Vitas Gerulaitis won the men's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1975.
9.
Vitas Gerulaitis was a singles semifinalist at Wimbledon in both 1977 and 1978.
10.
In December 1977, Vitas Gerulaitis won the most significant title of his career at the Australian Open, when he defeated John Lloyd in the men's singles final in five sets on New Year's Eve.
11.
Vitas Gerulaitis reached his third Grand Slam singles final at the French Open in 1980, but lost in straight sets to defending champion Borg.
12.
In February 1981, Vitas Gerulaitis won the star-laden Toronto Indoor invitational tournament, defeating Jimmy Connors in the semifinal and McEnroe in four sets the final.
13.
Vitas Gerulaitis was known for his exceptionally quick hands at the net and his outstanding court coverage.
14.
Vitas Gerulaitis retired from the professional tour in 1986, and was a regular tennis commentator on the USA network between 1988 and 1994.
15.
Vitas Gerulaitis coached Pete Sampras during the 1994 Italian Open in Rome, when Sampras' coach, Tim Gullikson, was on a family vacation.
16.
On September 17,1994, while visiting a friend's home in Southampton, New York, an improperly installed propane heater for the swimming pool caused carbon monoxide gas to seep into the guesthouse where Vitas Gerulaitis was sleeping, causing his death by carbon monoxide poisoning.
17.
Vitas Gerulaitis' remains were interred in Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.
18.
The Vitas Gerulaitis family reached a confidential settlement with some of the defendants in their civil case by 2002.