Bill Talbert was a great doubles winner who over the course of his six-decade career in tennis overcame his diabetes, took on different roles, and won 33 national championships.
He passed away at home in Manhattan at the age of 80.
Bill Talbert cause of death: What happened to Bill Talbert?
Talbert had been in deteriorating health ever since he was robbed at gunpoint at a La Guardia Airport taxi stand in 1992 while returning from the annual board meeting of the United States Tennis Association.
He had broken his shoulder and pelvis, and had later undergone hip replacement surgery.
Talbert, who was diagnosed with diabetes at age 10, had been advised to stay off the sports grounds, but as a youngster, he grew hooked on the non-contact game of tennis.
In 1944 and 1945, he competed in the singles final of the United States Championships, the previous name for the United States Open, but fell to Frank Parker both times.
However, he went on to win eight doubles titles at that competition, and from 1971 to 1975 and again from 1978 to 1987, he served as the Open’s tournament director.
He served during a time of transition, with the Grand Slam tournament moving from Forest Hills to Flushing Meadows’ hardcourts in 1978.
