Joe Hunt is an American soldier who is also an amateur tennis player and American football player. What other achievements does Joe have and how is he popular?
Tennis
Joe Hunt, a famous soldier with a proven track record in sports, was born in 1919. Joe's father was Reuben Hunt, a great and talented tennis player in California.
Joe started playing tennis from early childhood, and already at the age of 5, Joe became one of the participants in the children's tournament. His brother and sister, Marianne and Charlie, were also fond of tennis, and both of them were in the TOP-20 tennis players in the United States.
In the early stages of his tennis career, Hunt had already become the champion of his country among youths (under 18) and boys (under 15). At the age of 17, Hunt has grown to become the top ten strongest tennis players in the country.
In the championship of his country on a national scale, Joe made his debut at the same 17 years old, reaching the 3rd round. After 3 and 4 years, he twice became a semifinalist of the championship, losing twice to another tennis player - Bobby Riggs.
Hunt's game was distinguished by a strong presentation and professionalism. At the same time, Hunt was an adherent of the serve-and-volley style, the main principle of which is to quickly reach the net after each serve. Even Riggs named Hunt as the predecessor of the great Kramer, who made his eponymous style famous after World War II.
In 1940, Joe, with the fate of the naval academy, received the status of the national champion in tennis among students, and this was the second such case in the history of tennis.
In 1943, Joe, while fighting in the navy, was sent on leave to take part in the national championship. It should be noted that during the Second World War they went to the championships, but not everyone was allowed to go to the tournament. In this tournament, Hunt won, became the only US tennis player who managed to win the title of champion among youths, boys, as well as adults and students.
A little about American football
Besides tennis, Hunt loved American football. In 1940, Joe, as a cadet at the American Naval Academy, took part in the national team as a running back. Playing against the ground forces national team, he and his team won the victory. No more significant victories and games in Joe's life have been documented.
Personal life
In 1943, Joe became husband to Jackie Virgil. After Joe's death, Jackie became the wife of Winsor Rowley, a former military pilot. Jackie and Winsor's son Pike, as well as their grandchildren Curry and Brett, also played tennis. Joe himself and his biography were included in the list of the US tennis hall of fame in 1966.
Military service and death
By the end of the war, Joe was sent on training missions in a Grumman Hellcat fighter. The fighter took off from Dayton Beach, but during the flight its transport got into a tailspin at an altitude of 3 kilometers. As a result, he fell into the ocean. Joe Hunt's remains were never found.
