Bernard Mitton
| Country (sports) |
.svg.png){kind=small} South Africa |
|---|---|
| Residence | Irvine, California, U.S. |
| Born |
11 September 1954 Vryburg, South Africa |
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in) |
| Turned pro | 1973 |
| Retired | 1984 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 199–218 |
| Career titles | 2 |
| Highest ranking | No. 54 (15 December 1975) |
| Grand Slam Singles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (1978, 1982) |
| French Open | 3R (1977) |
| Wimbledon | 4R (1973, 1976) |
| US Open | 4R (1980) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 210–191 |
| Career titles | 9 |
| Highest ranking | No. 20 (25 June 1984) |
Bernard Mitton (born 9 November 1954) is a professional male tennis player in both singles and doubles from the Republic of South Africa. He was born in Vryburg, South Africa.
Mitton reached his highest rank in singles at World No. 51 on 15 December 1975, and in doubles of World No. 20 on 25 June 1984. His career record in singles in the ATP tour was 199–218, winning two titles. In doubles, he went 210–191, winning nine titles.
His two title wins in singles were at Newport, Rhode Island in 1978 and San Jose, California in 1979. He was the runner-up in three tournaments: San Jose (1978), Adelaide (1979) and Johannesburg (1981).
His nine title wins in doubles include: Auckland (1979); Stowe, Vermont and Cologne (1980); Richmond WCT (1981); Johannesburg (1981); Tampa (1981); Columbus, Ohio (1982); Ferrara (1983); and La Quinta, California (1984). He was the runner-up in eight tournaments: Sarasota, Florida (1978); North Conway, New Hampshire (1978); Rotterdam (1979); Maui, Hawaii (1982) Ancona (1982); Toulouse (1983); Florence (1984), and Queen's Club (1984).
Mitton had career wins over John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Arthur Ashe in singles. Although he failed to reach the quarterfinals in any Grand Slam tournament, he reached the fourth round on three separate occasions.
In his very first Grand Slam tournament in 1973, he reached the fourth round of Wimbledon before losing to Connors 6–3, 6–3, 6–2.
In 1976, he again reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, defeating former champion John Newcombe in the third round (3–6, 6–3, 9–7, 9–7) before falling to Raúl Ramírez (9–7, 3–6, 6–1, 6–1).
In 1980, he reached the fourth round at the US Open, defeating José Luis Clerc in the first round (6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 2–6, 7–5) before finally losing to Connors (7–6, 6–4, 6–4).
Mitton retired from the tour in 1984 and joined the Newport Beach Tennis Club as director of tennis. From 2000–2003, he was at Rancho San Clemente and is currently teaching at The Racket Club of Irvine, California. He has three children, Natalie, Brend and Olivia.
Singles titles
| Legend (Singles) |
| Grand Slam (0) |
| Tennis Masters Cup (0) |
| ATP Masters Series (0) |
| ATP Tour (2) |
| Challengers (0) |
| Futures (0) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in final | Score in final |
| 1. | 10 July 1978 | Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. | Grass |  John James |
6–1, 3–6, 7–6 |
| 2. | 19 March 1979 | San Jose, Costa Rica | Hard |  Tom Gorman |
6–4, 6–4, 6–3 |
Singles runners-up (3)
- 1978: San Jose (lost to Arthur Ashe)
- 1979: Adelaide (lost to Kim Warwick)
- 1981: Johannesburg (lost to Kevin Curren)
Doubles titles (9)
- 1979: Auckland (with Kim Warwick)
- 1980: Stowe, Cologne (with Bob Lutz)
- 1981: Richmond WCT (with Tim Gullikson)
- Johannesburg: (with Raymond Moore)
- Tampa: (with Butch Walts)
- 1982: Columbus (with Tim Gullikson)
- 1983: Ferrara (with Butch Walts)
- 1983: La Quinta (with Butch Walts)
External links
- Bernard Mitton at the Association of Tennis Professionals
- Bernard Mitton at the International Tennis Federation