Son of Grand Slam Champ Carves Out His Own Successful Career

Following in your fatherÂs footsteps can be a daunting task, but even more so when he won two of tennis Grand Slams ´ the Australian Open and the prestigious Wimbledon Championships in 1951.

But, Bob Savitt went ahead and faced that challenge, picking up dad RichardÂs favorite sport as his own, and with racket in hand, carving an outstanding athletic career for himself.

Savitt, who was born 11 years after his fatherÂs famous wins, picked up the game early on. As a top high school player, he went undefeated his sophomore and senior seasons at the Westminster School. Savitt also played in United States Tennis Association events, and just prior to enrolling at Wooster, he teamed up with dad and the talented duo won the Father-Son national championship, setting the stage for his terrific career with the Scots.

Upon arriving on campus, Savitt took little time in establishing himself as one of the greatest players ever to step on the Wooster courts. As a freshman in 1982, he went 18-4 at No. 1 singles, captured the Ohio Athletic Conference championship at that position, and advanced into the Round of 32 of both the singles and doubles portions of the NCAA Division III Championships.

It was more of the same in year two, as Savitt won the OAC title at No. 1 singles, and added a conference championship at No. 1 doubles with partner John Morlidge. Savitt ended that season earning double All-American honors, as he finished up ranked No. 9 in singles and No. 11 in doubles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Throughout his junior and senior campaigns, Savitt continued to be ranked among the nationÂs best, receiving All-American and all-league recognition two more times. In fact, in 1985, he was rated as high as No. 2 in the nation in singles, and with partner Gary Peterson, he won the first-ever No. 1 doubles title in the North Coast Athletic Conference.

Overall, Savitt left Wooster as the most decorated menÂs tennis player the school had ever seen, and he remains that way. HeÂs the only Scot to have qualified for the national tournament four times and the only one to earn All-American honors in three years. Savitt also holds school records for career wins at No. 1 singles (73), and with Morlidge, career No. 1 doubles victories (38).

Following his remarkable Wooster career, Savitt gave professional tennis a shot and played on the international satellite circuit for a year.

Over the last decade-plus, he has found success in the commercial real estate business. Currently, Savit is president of Kaufman/Adler Realty, which he formed four years ago with three partners and is based in New York City.

When away from the office, Savitt and his wife Jeanne are busy bringing up their three children. Now, Matthew (8), Michael (6), and Brooke (3) have the daunting task of following in dadÂs footsteps, or at the least, help dad defend his USTA Father-Son national championship.