It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and 2005 Texas Tennis Hall of Fame member, Paul Christian, who passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the age of 80.
Born in 1941 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Christian's family moved to Texas when he was 10. He started playing tennis recreationally in Gainesville at age 13 and went on to became the 1959 Texas boys’ doubles champion, playing for Wichita Falls High School.
Christian was the captain and number one player for the TCU Men’s team (1959-63). He won the Men’s Singles and Doubles Texas Open titles in 1971 and was ranked #1 in Men’s Open Doubles in Texas four years with partner and fellow inductee Tim Heckler. Christian won the National Grass Courts Men’s 45 Doubles. Since 1968 he has won 17 Texas titles.
As a coach, Christian's team from CC Miller High School won the AAAA state title. He directed the Texas Junior Davis Cup Camp and was coach at the University of Houston (1968-74), winning the University’s first-ever Southwest Conference Team Championship and earning five NCAA top-ten rankings in 6 years.
Christian served on the USPTA Texas Division board from 1991-1999 (President 1997-98), the Houston Tennis Association board, Club Corporation National Tennis Committee, the USPTA Testing Committee, the Texas Section Marketing Committee, Nominating Committee, Awards Committee and Chairman of the Discipline & Grievance Committee. He was tournament director for the 1971 Virginia Slims, Glen Campbell and Lloyd Bridges Pro-Celebrity Tournament and Chuck Norris’ Charity Tournament. Christian spent 14 years with the Chuck Norris Kick Drugs Out of America charity. He was the USPTA Texas Division Pro of the Year in 1995 and was selected Club Corp Pro of the Year twice. Most recently, Christian served as chair for the USTA Texas Sportsmanship Committee.