Monte-Carlo Mourns Patrice Dominguez
Patrice Dominguez, 65, a leading figure in French tennis for more than 40 years, passed away on Sunday surrounded by his family at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris.
Dominguez, a former ATP Board member for the European Tournament group, was involved in the tennis arena for more than 40 years as a player, coach, tournament director, Davis Cup captain, administrator and broadcaster. His loss is sorely felt by the entire tennis family.
Born in Algeria, Dominguez was a four-time ATP World Tour singles finalist (1972-Sydney N.S.W, 1973 Eastbourne, 1978-Florence, 1979-Berlin) and compiled a 7-3 record in doubles title matches. He also reached the fourth round at the Australian Open (1973), Roland Garros (1971) and Wimbledon (1974).
Dominguez earned a career-high No. 36 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on 23 August 1973 and was twice a mixed doubles runner-up at Roland Garros in 1973 (w/Betty Stove) and 1978 (w/Virginia Ruzici). He compiled a 15-9 record in Davis Cup and retired in 1981.
He went on to coach Henri Leconte and Fabrice Santoro, prior to becoming a tournament director at several WTA and ATP World Tour events, including Monte-Carlo (2000-2004 w/Francis Truchi), Toulouse, Metz and Montpellier. He was also a highly regarded television and radio broadcaster for France Télévisions, Europe 1 and RMC Sports.
The organizing committee of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, presided by the baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, offered their sincerest condolences to his wife, Cendrine, his three children and to his whole family.
Francis Truchi said: “My first thoughts go to his family. I lost a friend with whom I shared five years managing this tournament.
“Patrice was a very talented sportsman, who managed to brilliantly succeed in a new career after retiring as a professional tennis player. Through his enthusiasm and his great sense of communication, he brought a new dimension to the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters that had become a tournament that the best players in the world cannot miss. He has always been close to the players, trying to fulfill their needs and expectations. It is a big loss for tennis as he was a great man.”
Zeljko Franulovic, Tournament Director of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, said: “A friend in life, an opponent on court and a huge tennis professional, as a player, as a manager, as media and of course as a tournament director. He had a modern and convivial vision for tennis. He was full of energy, determination and had unique knowledge. Today we are in deep sorrow.”
Dominguez was the national technical director at the French Tennis Federation from 2005 to 2009, and an influential figure to the current generation of French players, including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, Julien Benneteau and Paul-Henri Mathieu.
He is survived by his wife, Cendrine, and their three children.