Jack Kramer dies at 88; champion ushered in era of pro tennis
Kramer, who died Saturday at his home in L.A., won the Wimbledon
singles title in 1947 and had victories in many other Grand Slam
events. He ran the L.A. men's pro tennis tournament for many
years.    • Pin It Jack Kramer  Jack Kramer smashes a powerful
forehand stroke in a 1946 win over Ted Schroeder for the 1946
Pacific Southwest title. The two were doubles partners and close
friends. (Los Angeles Times)  Tennis legend Jack Kramer,
considered by many the most influential person in the game in
the last 60 years, died late Saturday night at his home in Los
Angeles. He was 88.  He had been diagnosed in mid-July with soft
tissue sarcoma, a cancer of the connective tissues, said Bob
Kramer, one of his sons.  Kramer won the prestigious Wimbledon
title in 1947 and won U.S. Championships, the forerunner of
today's U.S. Open, in '46 and '47. He also won seven other Grand
Slam titles in doubles. His Wimbledon victory was a startling
45-minute breeze past