Sport

Ireland Davis Cup great Matt Doyle dies aged 70

Born in California, Doyle played in all four Grand Slams

Matt Doyle during Ireland's Davis Cup match against the USA in 1983. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Matt Doyle during Ireland's Davis Cup match against the USA in 1983. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Sat Feb 08 2025 - 19:37

Former Ireland Davis Cup tennis player Matt Doyle has died, aged 70.

Confirming Doyle’s death on Saturday, Tennis Ireland said: “The tennis community in Ireland has been greatly saddened to hear overnight of the death of Matt Doyle, at the age of 70.

“Matt was a true legend of Irish tennis, without question our most successful player of the modern era.”

Born in California, Doyle played in all four Grand Slams, including the 1982 US Open in which he was defeated by former World No 1 John McEnroe

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Ranked 65th in the world in 1982, he went on to win the Cologne Grand Prix title in 1983.

Doyle played a pivotal role in Ireland gaining promotion to the Davis Cup World Group for 1983.

A first-round defeat to Italy in the competition set up one of the most memorable days in Irish tennis – a home relegation match against the US. Played at the RDS in Dublin, the US team featured that year’s Wimbledon champion McEnroe.

Sean Sorensen and Matt Doyle during their match against John McEnroe and Peter Fleming of the US in 1983. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Sean Sorensen and Matt Doyle during their match against John McEnroe and Peter Fleming of the US in 1983. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Remembering his late Ireland team-mate, Sean Sorensen said of Doyle: “Matt was a fantastic, suave, Californian who brought an incredible sense of confidence to Irish tennis, a can-do attitude that was really transformative.

“He was clever, witty, and a great guy to have on the court beside me, because of his huge serve and presence. And in that Davis Cup match, he left us at the end of Day 1, tied at one-all against the United States. Imagine that!”

Following his playing career, Doyle was Ireland’s national coach for a number of year and an assistant coach to former World No 1 Mats Willander.

He also served as ATP president from 1985 to 1987 and turned his hand to broadcasting, working with RTÉ as a tennis and golf commentator.

“Matt’s legacy leaves an enduring mark, and he will be fondly remembered,” the Tennis Ireland statement added.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”