Willard Crocker

Willard Crocker was Canada’s number two-ranked player from 1926-29. He was the 1925 Canadian Open men’s singles champion (defeating American W. Scott in four sets), and the three-time doubles champion with Jack Wright (1923, 1925, 1929).

A member of the Davis Cup team from 1923-30, Canada’s best result during his was in 1927 in defeating Cuba to reach the America Zone final, losing to Japan 2–3. At his only Wimbledon appearance in 1929, Crocker reached the second round defeating Briton Jack Harrison in straight sets before losing to another British player, John Olliff. He was the provincial champion in both Ontario and Québec, in singles and doubles in 1923 and 1925.

Crocker study medicine and English at McGill University where he competed on the varsity tennis team, and was team captain in 1920 capturing both the singles and doubles Canadian intercollegiate championships. Born in Massachusetts, Crocker was the musical director of the McGill theatrical Red & White Review in 1924-25 and was recognized as one of the best piano players and composers at the university. 

Crocker was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1972, Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991 and the McGill Redmen Hall of Fame in 1999.