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Eric Sturgess

1920 – 2004

South African tennis player

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About Eric Sturgess

Lived 1920 – 2004 (aged 83). Eric Sturgess was a South African tennis player.

Eric William Sturgess (10 May 1920 – 14 January 2004) was a South African male tennis player and winner of six Grand Slam doubles titles. He also reached the singles final of a Grand Slam tournament three times but never won. Sturgess was ranked World No. 6 by John Olliff of The Daily Telegraph in both 1948 and 1949.

Biography Eric Sturgess was born in Johannesburg, where he attended Parktown Boys' High School. Sturgess joined the South African Air Force on the outbreak of World War II and became an instructor with No 4 Spitfire Squadron, SAAF. In October 1944 he was shot down by anti-aircraft fire, captured on landing and sent to the air force officers' prison camp, Stalag Luft III, in eastern Germany. In January 1945 he was transported to Stalag IIIA at Luckenwalde which was liberated two months later by the advancing Russian forces.

He represented South Africa in the Davis Cup competition in six ties, compiling a 13–5 record in singles and doubles.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (3 runner-ups)

Doubles (1 title, 5 runner-ups)

Mixed doubles (5 titles, 2 runner-ups)

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Parktown Boys' High School
Also known as
Eric William Sturgess

People in Eric Sturgess's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Eric Sturgess's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Eric Sturgess?

South African tennis player (1920–2004)

When was Eric Sturgess born?

Eric Sturgess was born on 10 May 1920 in Johannesburg.

When did Eric Sturgess die?

Eric Sturgess died on 14 January 2004 in Johannesburg.

What was Eric Sturgess's occupation?

Eric Sturgess was a tennis player.

What nationality was Eric Sturgess?

Eric Sturgess was South African.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Eric Sturgess

· Wikidata: Q1115955

· DBpedia: Eric Sturgess

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Eric Sturgess. https://biography.guide/eric-sturgess/

MLA: "Eric Sturgess." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/eric-sturgess/.

Chicago: "Eric Sturgess." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/eric-sturgess/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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