NEW DELHI: Former Davis Cupper and secretary of the All-India Lawn Tennis Association Sumant Misra, 89, passed away here Saturday after a brief illness.
Misra leaves behind two sons and two daughters, his eldest son Gaurav like him became a national champion.
Misra was hospitalised five weeks ago, and died this evening. The funeral will be held at the Lodhi Road crematorium at noon Sunday.
Misra, a member of India's Davis Cup squad for a decade, captaining it in 1952-53. He went on to become the secretary of the All-India Lawan tennis Association (AILTA) in 1963-66 when former president of the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) M.A. Chidambaram was its president.
Misra became the first men?s singles champion when the national was split into grass and hard court championships in 1946-47 at Calcutta?s South Club. He won the singles title again in 1952-53.
He entered the men?s doubles quarter-finals twice at Wimbledon in 1947-48 and the US championships in 1947, partnering Jimmy Mehta. He also won both the Ceylon and Malay national championships in 1958-59 and 1959 respectively.
After his playing days, he was actively involved in the coaching programmes, heading the the AILTA tennis development scheme.
Misra was also an accomplished squash player and a golfer.