Seligson, Julie

Julius Seligson

Ranked No. 9 in 1928, Seligson is the first known Jew to be ranked in the top ten in United States rankings and, like other early Jewish tennis players, experienced anti-Semitism.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Dec. 22, 1909 - d. Oct. 13, 1987

Career Highlights:
Julie was the National Collegiate champ in 1928 while at Lehigh University. He was also runner-up in the National Indoors Singles Championship in 1928, and again in 1930. He did not make it in 1929 because he left the clubhouse in a severe rainstorm to see a movie and was disqualified. Seligson said, "most reporters felt there was an anti-Semitic tinge to it." Many members of the Merion Cricket Club did not agree with the decision by Charles Beard, the referee, but agreed he had the right to do what he did.

Origin:
New York City

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