Induction Year: 1985

 

John McDiarmid (1911–1982) made his mark on the tennis world with a distinguished career that began in Fort Worth, Texas, where he honed his skills at Ted Hackney’s Meadowmere Club. A standout player at Texas Christian University (TCU), McDiarmid captained the Horned Frogs’ tennis team in 1930 and 1931, demonstrating exceptional leadership and talent.

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From 1928 to 1938, McDiarmid competed in numerous tournaments, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport. In 1936, while teaching politics at Princeton University, he achieved a career-high national ranking of No. 7 by the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA). That same year, he captured the Chicago City Championships, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier player.

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McDiarmid also excelled in doubles, partnering with Eugene McCauliff to claim back-to-back doubles titles at the prestigious Cincinnati tournament in 1936 and 1937. This remarkable feat remained unmatched for 69 years until Jonas Björkman and Max Mirnyi replicated it in 2005.