He was a big sports fan – and he was a big tennis fan. No wonder that icons like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova mourn the death of former US President George H. W. Bush last Friday at the age of 94.
The 41st US President was particularly closely associated with Chris Evert. Bush Senior even took part in the 1995 celebrations for Evert’s admission to the Hall of Fame. Both had played doubles together at charity events again and again.
“Heartbroken”, twittered 63-year-old Evert: “His legacy of kindness, generosity and love for the family will live on. I will honor my time with him forever… R.I.P. Mr. President.”
Bush, who headed Washington from 1989 to 1993, was considered the most tennis crazy president in the United States. He did not miss the opportunity to go to court with Björn Borg, André Agassi, Pete Sampras and Martina Navratilova, among others.
George H. W. Bush had broken a neck vertebra about two and a half years ago in a fall in his holiday home. Last time he was in a wheelchair.
Bush once said about himself as a tennis player: “I hated to lose, but I never broke a racket or anything like that. I’ve always been a fair sportsman.”
Only in April of this year his wife Barbara had died. They were married for 73 years. The couple had six children, including George W. Bush, who served as US President between 2001 and 2009.