Ian Froman
Encyclopedia
Ian Froman is a South African-born Israeli former tennis player and tennis patron.
He is known for playing in the Wimbledon Championships
in the 1950s, representing Israel in Davis Cup
competition in the 1960s and 1970s, and playing a primary role in the founding of the Israel Tennis Centers
in the 1970s and thereafter.
in 1955, in the Men's singles. In the first two rounds he defeated Stefan Lazlo (9–11, 7–5, 6–4, 2–0, ret.), and Johannes (Hans) van Dalsum (3–6, 3–6, 6–2, 6–1, 6–4), before losing in the third round to eventual finalist Kurt Nielsen
(6–3, 6–1, 6–2). Over a decade later, he played for the Israel Davis Cup team
in Davis Cup
competition in 1968, 1969, and 1971.
(ITCs), Israel's countrywide tennis program. By 1974, met four Americans—Rubin Josephs, Harold Landesberg, Dr. William Lippy, and Joe Shane—and English tennis star Angela Buxton
, who agreed to launch the necessary fundraising efforts and obtain the necessary sites to build the centers. They built a 14-court National Tennis Center on an old strawberry patch in Ramat HaSharon
that was given to the ITC by the Iaraeli government. It was the first of 12 centers built in Israel—with the others being in Arad, Ashdod, Ashkelon
, Beersheva, Haifa
, Jaffa
, Jerusalem, Kiryat Shemona, Ofakim, and Tel Aviv
, Tiberias.
Froman served as director of the center, and then starting in 2004 as its chairman. In 2005, he announced that he would not seek re-election when his term ended in 2006.
in 1989. In presenting it to him, Israeli President Chaim Herzog
said: “You have created a virtual social revolution throughout Israel.” He was also awarded the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
Pillar of Achievement Award.
He is known for playing in the Wimbledon Championships
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
in the 1950s, representing Israel in Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
competition in the 1960s and 1970s, and playing a primary role in the founding of the Israel Tennis Centers
Israel Tennis Centers
Israel Tennis Centers is the largest tennis program for children in the world, reaching more than 350,000 families—5% of the Israeli population...
in the 1970s and thereafter.
Early life
Froman, who is Jewish, was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He became a dentist in Johannesburg dentist, and then immigrated to Israel in 1964.Tennis career
Froman played at WimbledonThe Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
in 1955, in the Men's singles. In the first two rounds he defeated Stefan Lazlo (9–11, 7–5, 6–4, 2–0, ret.), and Johannes (Hans) van Dalsum (3–6, 3–6, 6–2, 6–1, 6–4), before losing in the third round to eventual finalist Kurt Nielsen
Kurt Nielsen
Kurt Nielsen was a Danish tennis player. He was born in Copenhagen, and is the only Danish tennis player ever to have played in a men's singles final in a Grand Slam tournament....
(6–3, 6–1, 6–2). Over a decade later, he played for the Israel Davis Cup team
Israel Davis Cup team
The Israel Davis Cup team represents Israel in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by the Israel Tennis Association....
in Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
competition in 1968, 1969, and 1971.
Israel Tennis Centers
In 1973, tennis in Israel was played primarily by tourists at beach hotels. That year, Froman conceived the idea for founding the Israel Tennis CentersIsrael Tennis Centers
Israel Tennis Centers is the largest tennis program for children in the world, reaching more than 350,000 families—5% of the Israeli population...
(ITCs), Israel's countrywide tennis program. By 1974, met four Americans—Rubin Josephs, Harold Landesberg, Dr. William Lippy, and Joe Shane—and English tennis star Angela Buxton
Angela Buxton
Angela Buxton is an English tennis player. She won the women's doubles title at both the French Championships and Wimbledon in 1956 with Althea Gibson.-Tennis accomplishments:...
, who agreed to launch the necessary fundraising efforts and obtain the necessary sites to build the centers. They built a 14-court National Tennis Center on an old strawberry patch in Ramat HaSharon
Ramat Hasharon
Ramat HaSharon is a city located on Israel's central coastal strip in the south of the Sharon region, bordering Tel Aviv to the south and Herzliya and Kibbutz Glil Yam to the north. It is part of the Tel Aviv District, within Gush Dan metropolitan area...
that was given to the ITC by the Iaraeli government. It was the first of 12 centers built in Israel—with the others being in Arad, Ashdod, Ashkelon
Ashkelon
Ashkelon is a coastal city in the South District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, south of Tel Aviv, and north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The ancient seaport of Ashkelon dates back to the Neolithic Age...
, Beersheva, Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
, Jaffa
Jaffa
Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:...
, Jerusalem, Kiryat Shemona, Ofakim, and Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, Tiberias.
Honors
Froman was awarded the Israel PrizeIsrael Prize
The Israel Prize is an award handed out by the State of Israel and is largely regarded as the state's highest honor. It is presented annually, on Israeli Independence Day, in a state ceremony in Jerusalem, in the presence of the President, the Prime Minister, the Knesset chairperson, and the...
in 1989. In presenting it to him, Israeli President Chaim Herzog
Chaim Herzog
Chaim Herzog served as the sixth President of Israel , following a distinguished career in both the British Army and the Israel Defense Forces .-Early life:...
said: “You have created a virtual social revolution throughout Israel.” He was also awarded the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
Pillar of Achievement Award.