The ITF sends its condolences to the family and friends of Alex Swetka, who died recently at the age of 94.
Swetka first played on the ITF Senior Circuit in 1994 at 14th ITF Vets Championships in the over 75 category coming through to win the event for the loss of just a single set. He added another Championship to this in 1998, this time in the over 80s. He added to his impressive haul further in 2002 and 2004 taking away the top singles prize in the 85 category.
He was also in regular attendance at USA national events, notably winning all Hard, Grass, Clay and Indoors National titles in singles in 2007 and 2008. In total he won in excess of 50 USTA national titles. This record helped gain him a place in the NorCal Tennis Hall of Fame and he will always be remembered for his topspin and lefty action which were a real rarity when playing in the over 90 division.
He last played an ITF-sanctioned event in 2007 but along with his wife, Sally, continued to maintain a keen interest in the sport which had led him to establish Swetkas Tennis Shop at his home in North California in 1969 and which still operates today run by their sons.