Tennis world mourns loss of doubles great Ken Flach

Ken Flach, one of the game’s greatest doubles players, died on Monday after a brief illness. The six-time Grand Slam champion was 54, and is survived by his wife Christina and children.

After starring at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Flach and his college teammate Robert Seguso took the doubles world by storm in the 1980s. Among their 28 titles together were the 1985 US Open, Wimbledon in 1987 and 1988, and the Olympic gold medal in ’88. Flach also won the US Open in 1993 with Rick Leach, and captured two majors in mixed doubles with Kathy Jordan.

Flach and Seguso were also stalwarts for the U.S. Davis Cup team, going 11-2 in doubles. After his playing career, Flach became the tennis coach at Vanderbilt University, taking the men's team to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 1999.

Condolences have come in from many of Flach’s peers, including his fellow medal-winning compatriots on that U.S. team.

Pam Shriver, who won the Gold medal in women’s doubles in Seoul that year, also acknowledged the recent loss of another Olympic medalist, Jana Novotna.

Bronze medalist Brad Gilbert, offered his thoughts and noted Flach’s passion for another sport.

Tim Mayotte, who took the silver medal in singles during the ’88 games for the U.S., expressed himself as well.

The 1990 French Open champion Andres Gomez had this to say:

Paul Annacone, who had success in singles and doubles the same time as Flach, acknowledged the impact on the tennis community and Flach’s family.

USTA president and former WTA doubles standout Katrina Adams offered her condolences to all who knew Flach.

Carling Bassett-Seguso, a former Top 10 singles star and wife of Robert Seguso, told the ATP: “He was taken much too young. It doesn't seem fair, but I have to remember all the wonderful times we had throughout the 31 years of friendship. Ken will always hold a very special place in our hearts, with the fondest of memories.”

Follow Van on Twitter: @Van_Sias