Islander to be inducted into tennis hall of fame

Richard Heath

Richard Heath will be among six individuals who will be inducted into the USTA New England Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Newport on Saturday, June 9.

Heath, of Jamestown, began playing the game of tennis a little later in life than most elite players. Heath began coaching tennis players in Ridgewood, N.J after his freshman year at Colgate University.

A natural athlete whose competitive fire enabled him to excel in football and hockey while at Colgate, Heath won his first tennis tournament in 1956. He went on to reach the No.1 ranking in singles and doubles a total of seven times and won doubles tournaments with 12 different partners. Heath also owns the distinction of playing Bobby Riggs at the Philly Grass Court in 1972.

USTA New England, one of 17 regional sections across the country that comprise the United States Tennis Association (USTA), is a notfor profit organization committed to promoting and developing the growth of tennis and increasing participation in the sport in New England by offering quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities.

Founded in 1927 as the New England Lawn Tennis Association, USTA New England boasts nearly 30,000 individual members, 350 organizational members, 500 volunteers, and a professional staff of 20. The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S.