Ken Flach

Kenneth Eliot Flach (May 24, 1963 – March 12, 2018)[1][2] was a professional tennis player from the United States. A doubles specialist, he won four Grand Slam men's doubles titles (two Wimbledon and two US Open), and two mixed doubles titles (Wimbledon and French Open). He also won the men's doubles gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, partnering Robert Seguso.[3] Flach reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking in 1985.

Ken Flach
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceNovato, California
Born(1963-05-24)May 24, 1963
St. Louis, Missouri
DiedMarch 12, 2018(2018-03-12) (aged 54)
San Francisco, California
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Turned pro1983
Retired1996 (brief periods of activity after retiring, incl. winning two Senior Wimbledon titles with Robert Seguso)
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money$2,059,571
Singles
Career record52-80
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 56 (December 9, 1985)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open3R (1983, 1987)
French Open1R (1986, 1988)
Wimbledon3R (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989)
US Open4R (1987)
Doubles
Career record443-215
Career titles34
Highest rankingNo. 1 (October 14, 1985)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian OpenSF (1987)
French OpenQF (1985, 1986, 1988)
WimbledonW (1987, 1988)
US OpenW (1985, 1993)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour FinalsF (1987, 1991)
Medal record
Men's tennis
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
1988 Seoul Men's doubles

Early life

Kenneth Eliot Flach was born on May 24, 1963, in St. Louis[4] and grew up in nearby Kirkwood, Missouri.[5]

Before turning professional, Flach played tennis for Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where he won the NCAA Division II singles championships in 1981, 1982 and 1983, and teamed with Seguso to reach the 1983 Division I doubles final.[6]

Flach married his first wife, model Sandra Freeman, in September 1986 and had four children together.[5]

Career

Flach played doubles on the US Davis Cup team from 1985 to 1991, compiling an 11–2 record. He was also a member of the US team which won the World Team Cup in 1985.

During his career, Flach won 36 doubles titles (34 men's doubles and 2 mixed doubles). His final career title was won in 1994 at Scottsdale, Arizona.

Following his retirement from the professional tour in 1996, Flach devoted himself to coaching. He guided Vanderbilt University to its first NCAA tournament berth in 1999. In 2003, he led the team to Vanderbilt's first NCAA championship finals appearance in any sport. He had also played in seniors events, and won the Wimbledon 35-and-over men's doubles title in 1999 and 2000.[4]

In 2010, after moving to California, he married makeup entrepreneur Christina Friedman, and became the director of tennis at Novato's Rolling Hills Club.[7][8][9]

Death

In early March 2018, Flach became ill with bronchitis after playing 36 holes of golf. According to his widow, his doctors at Kaiser Permanente failed to act with urgency allowing the infection to turn life-threatening. Christina Flach claims that rather than have Ken come in for an appointment, an advice nurse spent time assessing his health in a telephone conversation.

She claims that when Ken Flach began vomiting blood, he sent a desperate email to his doctor at Kaiser Permanente before the pair rushed to the emergency room, where he was intubated. He was later transferred to University of California San Francisco Medical Center with his organs failing.

Ken Flach was removed from life support and died of sepsis several days later, on March 12.[10]

Christina Flach is now a volunteer with Sepsis Alliance working to educate others about the condition that killed her husband.

Major finals

Men's doubles: 6 (4 titles, 2 runner-ups)
Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Winner1985US OpenHard Robert Seguso Henri Leconte
Yannick Noah		6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–1), 7–6(8–6), 6–0
Winner1987WimbledonGrass Robert Seguso Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez		3–6, 6–7(6–8), 7–6(7–3), 6–1, 6–4
Runner-up1987US OpenHard Robert Seguso Stefan Edberg
Anders Järryd		6–7(1–7), 2–6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–7(2–7)
Winner1988Wimbledon (2)Grass Robert Seguso John Fitzgerald
Anders Järryd		6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–3)
Runner-up1989US OpenHard Robert Seguso John McEnroe
Mark Woodforde		4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Winner1993US Open (2)Hard Rick Leach Martin Damm
Karel Nováček		6–7(3–7), 6–4, 6–2

Mixed doubles: 2 (2 titles)
Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Winner1986French OpenClay Kathy Jordan Rosalyn Fairbank
Mark Edmondson		3–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–3
Winner1986WimbledonGrass Kathy Jordan Martina Navratilova
Heinz Günthardt		6–3, 7–6(9–7)

Olympic men's doubles final
Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Gold 1988 Seoul Olympics Hard Robert Seguso Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez		 6–3, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(1–7), 9–7

Doubles finals (58)

Wins (34)
Legend
Grand Slam (4–2)
Olympic Gold (1–0)
Tennis Masters Cup (1–2)
ATP Masters Series (2–1)
ATP Championship Series (2–3)
ATP Tour (22–16)
Finals by surface
Hard (16–15)
Clay (6–3)
Grass (5–1)
Carpet (7–5)
Outcome No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Runner-up 1. December 12, 1983 Taipei, Taiwan Carpet Robert Seguso Wally Masur
Kim Warwick		 6–7, 4–6
Winner 1. June 11, 1984 Rome, Italy Clay Robert Seguso John Alexander
Mike Leach		 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Runner-up 2. July 16, 1984 Newport, United States Grass Robert Seguso David Graham
Laurie Warder		 4–6, 6–7
Winner 2. July 23, 1984 Boston, United States Clay Robert Seguso Gary Donnelly
Ernie Fernandez		 6–4, 6–4
Winner 3. August 13, 1984 Indianapolis, United States Clay Robert Seguso Heinz Günthardt
Balázs Taróczy		 7–6, 7–5
Winner 4. September 17, 1984 Los Angeles, United States Hard Robert Seguso Wojtek Fibak
Sandy Mayer		 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
Winner 5. October 29, 1984 Hong Kong Hard Robert Seguso Mark Edmondson
Paul McNamee		 6–7, 6–3, 7–5
Winner 6. November 6, 1984 Taipei, Taiwan Carpet Robert Seguso Drew Gitlin
Hank Pfister		 6–1, 6–7, 6–2
Winner 7. January 6, 1985 Masters Doubles WCT, London Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Heinz Günthardt
Balázs Taróczy		 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–0
Runner-up 3. February 25, 1985 La Quinta, United States Hard Robert Seguso Heinz Günthardt
Balázs Taróczy		 6–3, 6–7, 3–6
Winner 8. April 1, 1985 Fort Myers, United States Hard Robert Seguso Sammy Giammalva Jr.
David Pate		 3–6, 6–3, 6–3
Runner-up 4. April 8, 1985 Chicago, United States Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Johan Kriek
Yannick Noah		 6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 1–6, 4–6
Winner 9. May 13, 1985 Forest Hills, United States Clay Robert Seguso Givaldo Barbosa
Ivan Kley		 7–5, 6–2
Runner-up 5. May 20, 1985 Rome, Italy Clay Robert Seguso Anders Järryd
Mats Wilander		 6–4, 3–6, 2–6
Winner 10. June 17, 1985 Queen's Club, England Grass Robert Seguso Pat Cash
John Fitzgerald		 3–6, 6–3, 16–14
Winner 11. July 29, 1985 Indianapolis, United States Clay Robert Seguso Pavel Složil
Kim Warwick		 6–4, 6–4
Runner-up 6. August 12, 1985 Stratton Mountain, United States Hard Robert Seguso Scott Davis
David Pate		 6–3, 6–7, 6–7
Winner 12. August 19, 1985 Montreal, Canada Hard Robert Seguso Stefan Edberg
Anders Järryd		 5–7, 7–6, 6–3
Winner 13. September 9, 1985 US Open, New York Hard Robert Seguso Henri Leconte
Yannick Noah		 6–7, 7–6, 7–6, 6–0
Winner 14. October 28, 1985 Tokyo Indoor, Japan Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Scott Davis
David Pate		 4–6, 6–3, 7–6
Winner 15. February 10, 1986 Memphis, United States Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Guy Forget
Anders Järryd		 6–4, 4–6, 7–6
Winner 16. March 31, 1986 Chicago, United States Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Eddie Edwards
Francisco González		 6–0, 7–5
Winner 17. October 20, 1986 Tokyo Outdoor, Japan Carpet Matt Anger Jimmy Arias
Greg Holmes		 6–2, 6–3
Runner-up 7. March 9, 1987 Miami, United States Hard Robert Seguso Paul Annacone
Christo van Rensburg		 2–6, 4–6, 4–6
Runner-up 8. April 27, 1987 Seoul, South Korea Hard Jim Grabb Eric Korita
Mike Leach		 7–6, 1–6, 5–7
Winner 18. July 6, 1987 Wimbledon, London Grass Robert Seguso Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez		 3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 6–1, 6–4
Runner-up 9. July 20, 1987 Livingston, United States Hard Robert Seguso Gary Donnelly
Greg Holmes		 6–7, 3–6
Winner 19. August 24, 1987 Cincinnati, United States Hard Robert Seguso Steve Denton
John Fitzgerald		 7–5, 6–3
Runner-up 10. September 14, 1987 US Open, New York Hard Robert Seguso Stefan Edberg
Anders Järryd		 6–7, 2–6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–7
Runner-up 11. November 16, 1987 Wembley, England Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Miloslav Mečíř
Tomáš Šmíd		 5–7, 4–6
Runner-up 12. December 13, 1987 Masters Doubles, London Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Miloslav Mečíř
Tomáš Šmíd		 4–6, 5–7, 7–6, 3–6
Runner-up 13. March 28, 1988 Miami, United States Hard Robert Seguso John Fitzgerald
Anders Järryd		 6–7, 1–6, 5–7
Winner 20. June 13, 1988 Queen's Club, England Grass Robert Seguso Pieter Aldrich
Danie Visser		 6–2, 7–6
Winner 21. July 4, 1988 Wimbledon, London Grass Robert Seguso John Fitzgerald
Anders Järryd		 6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 7–6
Runner-up 14. August 2, 1988 Indianapolis, United States Hard Robert Seguso Rick Leach
Jim Pugh		 4–6, 3–6
Winner 22. August 15, 1988 Toronto, Canada Hard Robert Seguso Andrew Castle
Tim Wilkison		 7–6, 6–3
Winner 23. September 26, 1988 Seoul, South Korea Hard Robert Seguso Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez		 6–3, 6–4, 6–7, 6–7, 9–7
Winner 24. November 14, 1988 Wembley, England Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Martin Davis
Brad Drewett		 7–5, 6–2
Runner-up 15. November 21, 1988 Detroit, United States Carpet (i) Robert Seguso Rick Leach
Jim Pugh		 4–6, 1–6
Winner 25. April 24, 1989 Tokyo Outdoor, Japan Hard Robert Seguso Kevin Curren
David Pate		 7–6, 7–6
Winner 26. August 21, 1989 Cincinnati, United States Hard Robert Seguso Pieter Aldrich
Danie Visser		 6–4, 6–4
Runner-up 16. September 11, 1989 US Open, New York Hard Robert Seguso John McEnroe
Mark Woodforde		 4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Runner-up 17. October 9, 1989 Orlando, United States Hard Robert Seguso Scott Davis
Tim Pawsat		 5–7, 7–5, 4–6
Runner-up 18. March 25, 1991 Miami, United States Hard Robert Seguso Wayne Ferreira
Piet Norval		 7–5, 6–7, 2–6
Winner 27. May 6, 1991 Tampa, United States Clay Robert Seguso David Pate
Richey Reneberg		 6–7, 6–4, 6–1
Runner-up 19. July 22, 1991 Washington, D.C., United States Hard Robert Seguso Scott Davis
David Pate		 4–6, 2–6
Winner 28. August 12, 1991 Cincinnati, United States Hard Robert Seguso Grant Connell
Glenn Michibata		 6–7, 6–4, 7–5
Winner 29. August 19, 1991 Indianapolis, United States Hard Robert Seguso Kent Kinnear
Sven Salumaa		 7–6, 6–4
Runner-up 20. November 24, 1991 Doubles Championships, Johannesburg Hard (i) Robert Seguso John Fitzgerald
Anders Järryd		 4–6, 4–6, 6–2, 4–6
Winner 30. March 23, 1992 Miami, United States Hard Todd Witsken Kent Kinnear
Sven Salumaa		 6–4, 6–3
Runner-up 21. July 20, 1992 Washington, D.C., United States Hard Todd Witsken Bret Garnett
Jared Palmer		 2–6, 3–6
Winner 31. April 12, 1993 Tokyo Outdoor, Japan Hard Rick Leach Glenn Michibata
David Pate		 2–6, 6–3, 6–4
Winner 32. June 21, 1993 Manchester, England Grass Rick Leach Stefan Kruger
Glenn Michibata		 6–4, 6–1
Runner-up 22. August 23, 1993 Indianapolis, United States Hard Rick Leach Scott Davis
Todd Martin		 4–6, 4–6
Winner 33. September 13, 1993 US Open, New York Hard Rick Leach Martin Damm
Karel Nováček		 6–7, 6–4, 6–2
Winner 34. February 28, 1994 Scottsdale, United States Hard Jan Apell Alex O'Brien
Sandon Stolle		 6–0, 6–4
Runner-up 23. May 16, 1994 Coral Springs, United States Clay Stephane Simian Lan Bale
Brett Steven		 3–6, 5–7
Runner-up 24. May 13, 1996 Pinehurst, United States Clay David Wheaton Pat Cash
Pat Rafter		 2–6, 3–6

Doubles performance timeline
Tournament19831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996Career SRCareer Win-Loss
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open 3R 2R A NH SF A A A A A A QF A 1R 0 / 5 8–5
French Open A 1R QF QF A QF A 2R 2R 2R 2R 1R 1R 1R 0 / 11 13–11
Wimbledon A 3R 1R QF W W SF QF 3R 3R 2R 2R 1R 1R 2 / 13 30–11
U.S. Open 1R 2R W A F SF F 3R SF 2R W 1R QF 1R 2 / 13 37–10
Grand Slam SR 0 / 2 0 / 4 1 / 3 0 / 2 1 / 3 1 / 3 0 / 2 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 3 1 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 4 / 42 N/A
Annual Win-Loss 2–2 3–4 9–2 6–2 14–2 13–2 9–2 6–2 7–3 4–3 8–2 4–4 3–3 0–4 N/A 88–37
ATP Masters Series
Indian Wells These Tournaments Were Not

Masters Series Events

Before 1990		 2R 2R 2R QF 2R A 1R 0 / 6 4–6
Miami 2R F W 2R 3R A 2R 1 / 6 12–5
Monte Carlo A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
Rome A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
Hamburg A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
Canada 1R SF 2R A A A 1R 0 / 4 3–4
Cincinnati 2R W QF 2R 2R A A 1 / 5 10–4
Stuttgart (Stockholm) A 2R A 2R A A A 0 / 2 0–2
Paris A SF 2R 2R A A A 0 / 3 3–3
Masters Series SR N/A 0 / 4 1 / 6 1 / 5 0 / 5 0 / 3 0 / 0 0 / 3 2 / 26 N/A
Annual Win-Loss N/A 2–4 16–5 8–4 3–5 2–3 0–0 1–3 N/A 32–24
Year-end ranking 103 11 2 19 5 2 11 76 5 60 23 90 121 141 N/A

A = did not attend tournament
NH = tournament not held

References
  1. Samulski, Michal. "Doubles legend Ken Flach has passed away at 54 after short illness (pneumonia, septic shock). He has won 6 Grand Slam titles (4 doubles, 2 mixed doubles) and men's doubles Gold Medal at 1988 Olympic Games. He reached the World No.1 doubles ranking in 1985.pic.twitter.com/wWk7v2Vbth".
  2. "Ken Flach, owner of 6 Grand Slam doubles titles, dead at 54". Associated Press. March 13, 2018 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  3. "Olympic results". Archived from the original on April 18, 2020.
  4. "Ken Flach, Who Won Six Grand Slam Doubles Titles, Dies at 54". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 14, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  5. Mason, Joe (March 17, 2018). "Remembering Ken Flach: Tennis great, St. Louis native, rock star". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  6. "Ken Flach, owner of six Grand Slam doubles titles, dies at 54". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  7. "Ken Flach of Mill Valley - Marin Magazine - June 2011 - Marin County, California". www.marinmagazine.com. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  8. "Tennis: Former Olympic doubles champion Flach dies, aged 54". Reuters. March 13, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  9. Resch, Colin. "After Ex-Tennis Star Dies, Wife Aims to Raise Awareness". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  10. Hein, Alexandria (September 25, 2018). "Wimbledon champ Ken Flach's widow speaks out on tennis great's sepsis death". Fox News. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
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