During this golden era of tennis, stars like Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Guillermo Vilas, and John McEnroe dominated the headlines. But amid these giants, Vitas Gerulaitis carved out his own legacy—sometimes overshadowed but always unforgettable.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in July 1954 as Vytautas Kevin Gerulaitis, he was better known simply as Vitas. The son of Lithuanian immigrants, both Vitas and his sister Ruta developed a passion for tennis—and both went on to become professional players.
Known for his thick blonde hair, Vitas earned the nickname “The Lithuanian Lion”. He turned pro in 1971, joining a talented generation of American players destined to make tennis history.
Gerulaitis’ career highlights: Two Grand Slams and Davis Cup glory
Between 1971 and 1986, Gerulaitis excelled in both singles and doubles, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 3. His crowning achievements include winning the 1977 Australian Open singles title (played on grass in December) and the 1975 Wimbledon doubles crown alongside fellow American Sandy Mayer.
Beyond those victories, Gerulaitis reached two other Grand Slam finals: the 1979 US Open, where he fell to John McEnroe, and the 1980 French Open final, where Bjorn Borg prevailed.
Over his career, Gerulaitis collected 24 singles titles and eight in doubles. He also played a crucial role in the U.S. Davis Cup team’s triumphs in 1978 and 1979, securing vital points in the final against Italy.
The famous Connors feud and an unforgettable quote
Gerulaitis shared a friendly but fierce rivalry with Jimmy Connors, one of tennis’s all-time greats. They first met in 1972, with Gerulaitis claiming the win, but Connors dominated their subsequent 16 matches until Gerulaitis finally broke the streak at the Masters tournament at Madison Square Garden.
After that victory, Vitas famously told the crowd, “I want to give you all a lesson: Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row!” However, that bold statement would be disproved just two years later when Bjorn Borg notched his 17th straight win against Gerulaitis.
Life after tennis
After retiring in 1986, Gerulaitis remained connected to tennis as a commentator alongside John McEnroe and Mary Carillo. He also coached Pete Sampras for a season, including Sampras’s Rome Masters victory.
Tragic passing and lasting legacy
Gerulaitis tragically died on September 17, 1994, from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. While visiting a friend in Southampton, New York, a faulty heating system led to the buildup of the deadly gas in the guest room where he was staying.
In his memory, a tennis academy and a street in Vilnius, Lithuania—the birthplace of his parents—were named in his honor. Though an investigation was launched against the company responsible for the heating installation, the firm was cleared in 1996.