Ken Flach

Ken Flach
Country (sports) United States
Born(1963-05-24)May 24, 1963
St. Louis, Missouri, US
DiedMarch 12, 2018(2018-03-12) (aged 54)
San Francisco, California, US
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Turned pro1983
Retired1996[a]
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money$2,059,571
Singles
Career record52-80
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 56 (December 9, 1985)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open3R (1983, 1987)
French Open1R (1986, 1988)
Wimbledon3R (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989)
US Open4R (1987)
Doubles
Career record443-215
Career titles34
Highest rankingNo. 1 (October 14, 1985)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian OpenSF (1987)
French OpenQF (1985, 1986, 1988)
WimbledonW (1987, 1988)
US OpenW (1985, 1993)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour FinalsF (1987, 1991)
Medal record
Men's tennis
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
1988 Seoul Men's doubles

Kenneth Eliot Flach (May 24, 1963 – March 12, 2018)[1][2] was an American doubles world No. 1 tennis player. He won four Grand Slam men's doubles titles (two Wimbledon and two US Open), and two mixed doubles titles (Wimbledon and the French Open). He also won the men's doubles gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, partnering Robert Seguso.[3] Flach reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking in 1985.

Early life

Kenneth Eliot Flach was born on May 24, 1963, in St. Louis[4] and grew up in nearby Kirkwood, Missouri.[5]

Before turning professional, Flach played tennis for Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where he won the NCAA Division II singles championships in 1981, 1982 and 1983, and teamed with Seguso to reach the 1983 Division I doubles final.[6]

Flach married his first wife, model Sandra Freeman, in September 1986 and had four children together, Dylan, Madison, Noah and Hannah.[5]

Career

Flach played doubles on the US Davis Cup team from 1985 to 1991, compiling an 11–2 record. He was also a member of the US team which won the World Team Cup in 1985.

During his career, Flach won 36 doubles titles (34 men's doubles and 2 mixed doubles). His final career title was won in 1994 at Scottsdale, Arizona. At the US Open 1987 (second round) he won the longest fifth set tie-break to this day, 17-15 over Darren Cahill.

Following his retirement from the professional tour in 1996, Flach devoted himself to coaching. He guided Vanderbilt University to its first NCAA tournament berth in 1999. In 2003, he led the team to Vanderbilt's first NCAA championship finals appearance in any sport. He had also played in seniors events, and won the Wimbledon 35-and-over men's doubles title in 1999 and 2000.[4]

In 2010, after moving to California, he married makeup entrepreneur Christina Friedman, and became the director of tennis at Novato's Rolling Hills Club.[7][8][9]

Death

In early March 2018, Flach became ill with bronchitis and died from sepsis after playing 36 holes of golf. He died shortly after falling ill with his sister, brothers and four children by his side.

Kaiser Permanente settled a malpractice case for nearly $2.9 million with the family of Ken Flach in 2021.

Major finals

Grand Slam finals

Doubles: 6 (4 titles, 2 runner-ups)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1985 US Open Hard Robert Seguso Henri Leconte
Yannick Noah		 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–1), 7–6(8–6), 6–0
Win 1987 Wimbledon Grass Robert Seguso Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez		 3–6, 6–7(6–8), 7–6(7–3), 6–1, 6–4
Loss 1987 US Open Hard Robert Seguso Stefan Edberg
Anders Järryd		 6–7(1–7), 2–6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–7(2–7)
Win 1988 Wimbledon (2) Grass Robert Seguso John Fitzgerald
Anders Järryd		 6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–3)
Loss 1989 US Open Hard Robert Seguso John McEnroe
Mark Woodforde		 4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Win 1993 US Open (2) Hard Rick Leach Martin Damm
Karel Nováček		 6–7(3–7), 6–4, 6–2

Mixed doubles: 2 (2 titles)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1986 French Open Clay Kathy Jordan Rosalyn Fairbank
Mark Edmondson		 3–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–3
Win 1986 Wimbledon Grass Kathy Jordan Martina Navratilova
Heinz Günthardt		 6–3, 7–6(9–7)

Olympic men's doubles final

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Gold 1988 Seoul Olympics Hard Robert Seguso Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez 		6–3, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(1–7), 9–7

Career finals

Doubles (34 wins, 24 losses)

Legend
Grand Slam (4–2)
Olympic Gold (1–0)
Tennis Masters Cup (1–2)
ATP Masters Series (2–1)
ATP Championship Series (2–3)
ATP Tour (22–16)
Finals by surface
Hard (16–15)
Clay (6–3)
Grass (5–1)
Carpet (7–5)
Result No Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1. Dec 1983 Taipei, Taiwan Carpet Robert Seguso Wally Masur
Kim Warwick 		6–7, 4–6
Win 1. Jun 1984 Rome, Italy Clay Robert Seguso John Alexander
Mike Leach 		3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Loss 2. Jul 1984 Newport, US Grass Robert Seguso David Graham
Laurie Warder 		4–6, 6–7
Win 2. Jul 1984 Boston, US Clay Robert Seguso Gary Donnelly
Ernie Fernandez 		6–4, 6–4
Win 3. Aug 1984 Indianapolis, US Clay Robert Seguso Heinz Günthardt
Balázs Taróczy 		7–6, 7–5
Win 4. Sep 1984 Los Angeles, US Hard Robert Seguso Wojtek Fibak
Sandy Mayer 		4–6, 6–4, 6–3
Win 5. Oct 1984 Hong Kong Hard Robert Seguso Mark Edmondson
Paul McNamee 		6–7, 6–3, 7–5
Win 6. Nov 1984 Taipei, Taiwan Carpet Robert Seguso Drew Gitlin
Hank Pfister 		6–1, 6–7, 6–2
Win 7. Jan 1985 Masters Doubles WCT, London Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Heinz Günthardt
Balázs Taróczy 		6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–0
Loss 3. Feb 1985 La Quinta, US Hard Robert Seguso Heinz Günthardt
Balázs Taróczy 		6–3, 6–7, 3–6
Win 8. Apr 1985 Fort Myers, US Hard Robert Seguso Sammy Giammalva Jr.
David Pate 		3–6, 6–3, 6–3
Loss 4. Apr 1985 Chicago, US Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Johan Kriek
Yannick Noah 		6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 1–6, 4–6
Win 9. May 1985 Forest Hills, US Clay Robert Seguso Givaldo Barbosa
Ivan Kley 		7–5, 6–2
Loss 5. May 1985 Rome, Italy Clay Robert Seguso Anders Järryd
Mats Wilander 		6–4, 3–6, 2–6
Win 10. Jun 1985 Queen's Club, UK Grass Robert Seguso Pat Cash
John Fitzgerald 		3–6, 6–3, 16–14
Win 11. Jul 1985 Indianapolis, US Clay Robert Seguso Pavel Složil
Kim Warwick 		6–4, 6–4
Loss 6. Aug 1985 Stratton Mountain, US Hard Robert Seguso Scott Davis
David Pate 		6–3, 6–7, 6–7
Win 12. Aug 1985 Montreal, Canada Hard Robert Seguso Stefan Edberg
Anders Järryd 		5–7, 7–6, 6–3
Win 13. Sep 1985 US Open, New York Hard Robert Seguso Henri Leconte
Yannick Noah 		6–7, 7–6, 7–6, 6–0
Win 14. Oct 1985 Tokyo Indoor, Japan Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Scott Davis
David Pate 		4–6, 6–3, 7–6
Win 15. Feb 1986 Memphis, US Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Guy Forget
Anders Järryd 		6–4, 4–6, 7–6
Win 16. Mar 1986 Chicago, US Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Eddie Edwards
Francisco González 		6–0, 7–5
Win 17. Oct 1986 Tokyo Outdoor, Japan Carpet Matt Anger Jimmy Arias
Greg Holmes 		6–2, 6–3
Loss 7. Mar 1987 Miami, US Hard Robert Seguso Paul Annacone
Christo van Rensburg 		2–6, 4–6, 4–6
Loss 8. Apr 1987 Seoul, South Korea Hard Jim Grabb Eric Korita
Mike Leach 		7–6, 1–6, 5–7
Win 18. Jul 1987 Wimbledon, London Grass Robert Seguso Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez 		3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 6–1, 6–4
Loss 9. Jul 1987 Livingston, US Hard Robert Seguso Gary Donnelly
Greg Holmes 		6–7, 3–6
Win 19. Aug 1987 Cincinnati, US Hard Robert Seguso Steve Denton
John Fitzgerald 		7–5, 6–3
Loss 10. Sep 1987 US Open, New York Hard Robert Seguso Stefan Edberg
Anders Järryd 		6–7, 2–6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–7
Loss 11. Nov 1987 Wembley, UK Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Miloslav Mečíř
Tomáš Šmíd 		5–7, 4–6
Loss 12. Dec 1987 Masters Doubles, London Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Miloslav Mečíř
Tomáš Šmíd 		4–6, 5–7, 7–6, 3–6
Loss 13. Mar 1988 Miami, US Hard Robert Seguso John Fitzgerald
Anders Järryd 		6–7, 1–6, 5–7
Win 20. Jun 1988 Queen's Club, UK Grass Robert Seguso Pieter Aldrich
Danie Visser 		6–2, 7–6
Win 21. Jul 1988 Wimbledon, London Grass Robert Seguso John Fitzgerald
Anders Järryd 		6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 7–6
Loss 14. Aug 1988 Indianapolis, US Hard Robert Seguso Rick Leach
Jim Pugh 		4–6, 3–6
Win 22. Aug 1988 Toronto, Canada Hard Robert Seguso Andrew Castle
Tim Wilkison 		7–6, 6–3
Win 23. Sep 1988 Seoul, South Korea Hard Robert Seguso Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez 		6–3, 6–4, 6–7, 6–7, 9–7
Win 24. Nov 1988 Wembley, UK Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Martin Davis
Brad Drewett 		7–5, 6–2
Loss 15. Nov 1988 Detroit, US Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Rick Leach
Jim Pugh 		4–6, 1–6
Win 25. Apr 1989 Tokyo Outdoor, Japan Hard Robert Seguso Kevin Curren
David Pate 		7–6, 7–6
Win 26. Aug 1989 Cincinnati, US Hard Robert Seguso Pieter Aldrich
Danie Visser 		6–4, 6–4
Loss 16. Sep 1989 US Open, New York Hard Robert Seguso John McEnroe
Mark Woodforde 		4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Loss 17. Oct 1989 Orlando, US Hard Robert Seguso Scott Davis
Tim Pawsat 		5–7, 7–5, 4–6
Loss 18. Mar 1991 Miami, US Hard Robert Seguso Wayne Ferreira
Piet Norval 		7–5, 6–7, 2–6
Win 27. May 1991 Tampa, US Clay Robert Seguso David Pate
Richey Reneberg 		6–7, 6–4, 6–1
Loss 19. Jul 1991 Washington, D.C., US Hard Robert Seguso Scott Davis
David Pate 		4–6, 2–6
Win 28. Aug 1991 Cincinnati, US Hard Robert Seguso Grant Connell
Glenn Michibata 		6–7, 6–4, 7–5
Win 29. Aug 1991 Indianapolis, US Hard Robert Seguso Kent Kinnear
Sven Salumaa 		7–6, 6–4
Loss 20. Nov 1991 Doubles Championships, Johannesburg Hard (i) Robert Seguso John Fitzgerald
Anders Järryd 		4–6, 4–6, 6–2, 4–6
Win 30. Mar 1992 Miami, US Hard Todd Witsken Kent Kinnear
Sven Salumaa 		6–4, 6–3
Loss 21. Jul 1992 Washington, D.C., US Hard Todd Witsken Bret Garnett
Jared Palmer 		2–6, 3–6
Win 31. Apr 1993 Tokyo Outdoor, Japan Hard Rick Leach Glenn Michibata
David Pate 		2–6, 6–3, 6–4
Win 32. Jun 1993 Manchester, UK Grass Rick Leach Stefan Kruger
Glenn Michibata 		6–4, 6–1
Loss 22. Aug 1993 Indianapolis, US Hard Rick Leach Scott Davis
Todd Martin 		4–6, 4–6
Win 33. Sep 1993 US Open, New York Hard Rick Leach Martin Damm
Karel Nováček 		6–7, 6–4, 6–2
Win 34. Feb 1994 Scottsdale, US Hard Jan Apell Alex O'Brien
Sandon Stolle 		6–0, 6–4
Loss 23. May 1994 Coral Springs, US Clay Stephane Simian Lan Bale
Brett Steven 		3–6, 5–7
Loss 24. May 1996 Pinehurst, US Clay David Wheaton Pat Cash
Pat Rafter 		2–6, 3–6

Doubles performance timeline

Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
Tournament 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Career SR Career win–loss
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open 3R 2R A NH SF A A A A A A QF A 1R 0 / 5 8–5
French Open A 1R QF QF A QF A 2R 2R 2R 2R 1R 1R 1R 0 / 11 13–11
Wimbledon A 3R 1R QF W W SF QF 3R 3R 2R 2R 1R 1R 2 / 13 30–11
U.S. Open 1R 2R W A F SF F 3R SF 2R W 1R QF 1R 2 / 13 37–10
Grand Slam SR 0 / 2 0 / 4 1 / 3 0 / 2 1 / 3 1 / 3 0 / 2 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 3 1 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 4 / 42 N/A
Annual win–loss 2–2 3–4 9–2 6–2 14–2 13–2 9–2 6–2 7–3 4–3 8–2 4–4 3–3 0–4 N/A 88–37
ATP Masters Series
Indian Wells These Tournaments Were Not

Masters Series Events

Before 1990 		2R 2R 2R QF 2R A 1R 0 / 6 4–6
Miami 2R F W 2R 3R A 2R 1 / 6 12–5
Monte Carlo A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
Rome A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
Hamburg A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
Canada 1R SF 2R A A A 1R 0 / 4 3–4
Cincinnati 2R W QF 2R 2R A A 1 / 5 10–4
Stuttgart (Stockholm) A 2R A 2R A A A 0 / 2 0–2
Paris A SF 2R 2R A A A 0 / 3 3–3
Masters Series SR N/A 0 / 4 1 / 6 1 / 5 0 / 5 0 / 3 0 / 0 0 / 3 2 / 26 N/A
Annual win–loss N/A 2–4 16–5 8–4 3–5 2–3 0–0 1–3 N/A 32–24
Year-end ranking 103 11 2 19 5 2 11 76 5 60 23 90 121 141 N/A

Notes

  1. ^ Brief periods of activity after retiring, incl. winning two Senior Wimbledon titles with Robert Seguso.

References

  1. ^ Samulski, Michal. "Doubles legend Ken Flach has passed away at 54 after short illness (pneumonia, septic shock). He has won 6 Grand Slam titles (4 doubles, 2 mixed doubles) and men's doubles Gold Medal at 1988 Olympic Games. He reached the World No.1 doubles ranking in 1985.pic.twitter.com/wWk7v2Vbth".
  2. ^ "Ken Flach, owner of 6 Grand Slam doubles titles, dead at 54". Associated Press. March 13, 2018. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  3. ^ "Olympic results". Archived from the original on April 18, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Ken Flach, Who Won Six Grand Slam Doubles Titles, Dies at 54". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 14, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Mason, Joe (March 17, 2018). "Remembering Ken Flach: Tennis great, St. Louis native, rock star". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  6. ^ "Ken Flach, owner of six Grand Slam doubles titles, dies at 54". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  7. ^ "Ken Flach of Mill Valley - Marin Magazine - June 2011 - Marin County, California". www.marinmagazine.com. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  8. ^ "Tennis: Former Olympic doubles champion Flach dies, aged 54". Reuters. March 13, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  9. ^ Resch, Colin (January 15, 2019). "After Ex-Tennis Star Dies, Wife Aims to Raise Awareness". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
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