Cliff Richey

Who is Cliff Richey?

George Clifford 'Cliff' Richey Jr. is an American former amateur and professional tennis player who was active in the 1960s and 1970s.

Richey was the American junior national tennis champion in 1962 and 1963 and in 1964 he won the boy's singles title at the French Championships.

Richey was a member of the American team which won the 1969 Davis Cup against Romania but did not actively participate. He was an active member of the team that won the 1970 Davis Cup, winning both his singles matches in the final against West Germany, and was voted the most valuable player. In September 1971 Richey quit the Davis Cup team before the final against Romania citing his disagreement with the USLTA over the choice of surface and the lack of consultation with players. In total Richey played in seven Davis Cup ties between 1966 and 1970 and compiled a record of ten wins and three losses.

Richey was the winner of the first Grand Prix tennis circuit, organized in 1970, finishing ahead of Arthur Ashe and Ken Rosewall. His career-high singles ranking was World No. 6, achieved in 1970, and No. 1 in the U.S for that same year.