Tennis Star, John Powless, Passes Away at 88

John Powless, a true tennis star, has passed away at 88 years old.

Powless was considered by many to be "tennis royalty" and was one of the world's top-ranked senior tennis players and a past Chairman of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Senior Competition Committee. He dominated his age categories — winning more than 30 USTA singles and doubles titles and ten International Tennis Federation (ITF) singles and doubles titles. Powless attained the number one ranking in the ITF’s rankings in the 75, 80, and 85 and older categories, and as of 2018, he was the top-ranked senior player in the 85 and older category. His success and community involvement earned Powless the Super Senior Service Award and a USTA Volunteer Service Award.

As a strong leader in the Wisconsin community, Powless was a huge Badgers fan. For five years, he coached the University of Wisconsin's tennis team. He also coached teams for the U.S. Dubler Cup, Osuna Cup, and Windmill Cup — as well as the Junior Davis Cup team with Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith.

Powless owned John Powless Tennis Center on Madison’s west side and was actively involved with growing the game of tennis. In 2000, he was inducted into the USTA/Midwest Section Hall of Fame and he was an honorary member of 22 national tennis associations.

As a player, Powless competed at prominent venues around the world and developed lifelong friendships with fellow sports legends Bob Knight and Althea Gibson among others.