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Freddie Botur
Freddie Botur was born as Vratislav Botur in Ostrava, Czech republic 1922.
In 1948, Freddie fled his homeland to Germany after communist took the Czech Government. As Czech refuge...view moreFreddie Botur was born as Vratislav Botur in Ostrava, Czech republic 1922.
In 1948, Freddie fled his homeland to Germany after communist took the Czech Government. As Czech refugee he had a job with the US Army special service, playing tennis at the Palmengarten T.C in Frankfurt, that was his first exposure using tennis to make a few dollars then becoming a tennis teacher. He migrated to Australia where he took odd jobs to survive, but continued to play tennis as often as possible, he became occasional hitter with students and professionals for Harry Hopman.
Freddie immigrate to the United States in 1952. His first job was in Westchester, NY at the New Rochelle Shore Club. Winning a local Tennis Teachers tournament, Freddie was offered a job at The River Club in Manhattan. He taught there for 12 years while simultaneously teaching at The Rockaway Hunting Club in Long Island during summer. His teaching career and clientele offered him to travel the world as a private coach to an influential businessman.
Freddie opened Tennis Inc. in the Armory on 34th Street and Park Avenue in 1963 with 4 courts. He promoted the United States Professional tournaments and the Virginia Slims. Within 5 years the Armory was sold to a developer and Freddie found new hope in a site on 97th Street and Columbus Avenue where he opened West Park Racket Club with 11 outdoor courts in 1965, which operated for 7 years at which point his lease was not renewed.Freddie also opened a club right under the Queensborough Bridge on 59th Street and York Avenue called Tennis 59. Operating 8 courts under a bubble for only 6 months per year, after 7 years his lease was not renewed. He opened another club with 11 courts called Cedarhurst Tennis Club in 1973 near JFK. After 5 years, he was forced to close its doors as well.
He founded in 1972 Tennisport Inc. its doors was open on seven acres in Long Island City Queens over looking Manhattan. Boasting16 indoor courts and 14 outdoor courts. Tennisport has been the home court to individual members, businessmen and women, tennis professionals, school teams, tennis leagues, junior sports programs, corporate events, tournaments and exhibitions for over thirty-five years. Unfortunately State and the City condemned the seven acres Tennisport under the Eminent domain law.
In between operating all his tennis clubs and new ventures in Wyoming, Freddie also participated in several senior tennis tournaments, including Wimbledon and the Us Open in Forest Hills. At the age of 55 he won the fifty-five singles, forty-five singles and fifty-five doubles with Tony Vincent all in the same year.view less