AT WOMEN’S SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS,
DIANE TUCKER INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME

The 54th honoree in the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame is Diane Tucker. She was inducted on Wednesday, March 17 at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in Scarsdale, New York during the Women’s Senior National Championships. Robert Brown, Chairman of the 2004 Hall of Fame Committee, made the presentation before an enthusiastic group of players during a lunch break in the matches. Here are the words of the nominating petition, which resulted in her approval for the honor by the vote of the APTA Board of Directors.

"The APTA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have achieved distinction in the play of platform tennis and have also contributed to the growth and development of the game. This candidate has been a truly outstanding player over three decades, a role model and a highly respected leader. It is this combination of excellence in play and excellence of character and sportsmanship that makes this nominee so deserving.

As a player, she won six National Women’s Championships with two different partners. During the 1980’s and 1990’s she was more than a safe bet to navigate her team to every finals and then quietly win a dominant share of championships. In addition to her six Women’s National titles, she has captured two National Mixed and seven National Women’s Senior titles, as of this date. A worthy achievement to say the least.

Her game was unorthodox; with a heavy western grip she pummeled her forehand return of serve with laser like efficiency, creating winners and opportunities time after time. As a forehand side player, she set up her backhand side partner with remarkable grace but could equally take control of the match at key moments, using her power and shot making. Like all great champions, she understood and worked at improving her weakness with great determination and focus. In her case, the weak link was her serve. Though force of will, she kept improving. She countered this weakness with strength, which were her unusually quick reflexes and superb volleying skills.

She was a pioneer in many ways. She was one of the first women to attend Yale University and one of the first tennis captains at the school. She was a paddle tournament chair and host at her home club. A working mother she was able to juggle many facets of a busy family life and child rearing yet still find time to excel in paddle at the very top. She was an editor, a writer, an entrepreneur and a teacher and mentor to all ages. She was a quiet and understated champion who was admired by her peers.

However, on careful examination, perhaps her most compelling legacy is not her overwhelming winning record on the courts. When all is said and done, she will be remembered for how she played the game, her demeanor, how she smiled win or lose, for her fairness and for her partnership skills. One of her long time paddle friends recently said that "it was always the greatest pleasure to play with or against her; one knew that the competition would be at the highest level possible."

Robert Brown concluded by saying "We welcome to the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame in 2004, Diane Tucker."

A song composed by a group of players added to the festivities and then G. Estabrook Kindred presented Diane with a gold charm signifying her induction.

On a personal note, I was particularly struck by the candidness of the nominating address in admitting to the weakness in serving in Diane’s game. My most vivid memory of her was in the 1992 Women’s National Championships, which were held on Long Island under the Chairmanship of C. William Jones. In the final at the Huntington Country Club, a large crowd overlooking the court gasped as Diane served four faults in the final game to lose the championship to Sue Aery / Gerri Viant. It is only fair to note that she returned with Robin Fulton the following year to reclaim the title.

Congratulations, Diane Tucker. Welcome to the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame.

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