Austria’s legendary tennis player will embark on his final journey in Vienna on July 19, 2024.
Austria’s tennis scene is mourning the loss of a colorful character: former domestic Davis Cup player Georg Pazderka passed away unexpectedly on June 20, 2024, at the age of 82. The Austrian Tennis Association (ÖTV) received the news on the same day. “Patzi” or “Schurli”, as he was fondly known, will be laid to rest in Vienna on July 19, 2024. The ÖTV expresses its deepest condolences and offers its heartfelt sympathies to his loved ones.
From Davis Cup to Kitzbühel triumph with Arthur Ashe
In Pazderka, Austrian tennis has lost a spirited and humorous Viennese original, known for his classic Viennese wit. His was a dazzling personality, never at a loss for words, regardless of potential consequences. “I was always inconvenient; otherwise, I might have achieved much more. I was often banned because I spoke my mind,” Pazderka was recently quoted as saying in the KURIER newspaper. Growing up in Vienna-Landstrasse, the third district of Vienna, the tennis enthusiast from a young age married into the Mautner-Markhof family as a teenager before venturing to Australia alone at the age of 17. “It was an adventure trip,” recalled one of Pazderka’s longest and dearest friends, local tennis legend Hans Kary. Down Under, “Patzi” gave coaching lessons and worked until he returned home and dedicated himself more intensely to his tennis career.
Pazderka’s career in the sport was evident from an early stage. “Back then, there was a European Championship for ball boys, and he became the European champion. That’s how he learned to play tennis,” Kary said of the young man from the Vienna Athletics Club (WAC). As a child, Pazderka hit tennis balls over the tanks of the Soviet occupying forces following World War II. Later, he began sending them into his opponents’ ears. “He was very good as a youth and won many tournaments. He was particularly proud of his victory at the Krems youth tournament. He was an all-rounder, also a talented football and ice hockey player, but he always lived for tennis. Later, he even became Austrian team champion five times with Schwechat,” Kary said. Pazderka subsequently played twice for the ÖTV Davis Cup team: in the spring of 1965 in Finland (4:1 for Austria) and once morest France (0:5 defeat), competing in two singles matches (1:3 record) and one doubles match (1:1). But his most memorable success came in the late 1960s, when he triumphed in the doubles competition with American tennis icon Arthur Ashe at the traditional tennis tournament in Kitzbühel, known as the Head Cup at the time.
Kary: “For me he was a genius and a great sportsman”
After retiring from tennis, Pazderka took over a shop belonging to the renowned Italian sportswear brand Sergio Tacchini on Gumpendorfer Strasse in Vienna. “He managed it very well and sold the most in all of Vienna and everywhere. He was a good businessman. A particular highlight for him was when he was in Rome with Sergio Tacchini and was invited to the tennis tournament there for three days, together with Gabriela Sabatini,” said Kary regarding his long-time companion. He remained passionate regarding tennis until the very end; not least for this reason, he built one of the first tennis halls in Vienna-Gersthof in the late 1960s, still a rarity at the time. According to the KURIER, Pazderka enjoyed reminiscing regarding the past, was honored numerous times, and was a welcome guest at various tennis events almost until his passing. There was never a shortage of fun, Kary recalled, citing the opening of the Khail tennis center in Maria Lanzendorf, where Pazderka showcased his skills with the yellow felt ball using a frying pan instead of a racket. “He was a super genius for exhibitions, one of the best doubles players in Austria. For me, he was a genius and a great sportsman, a true legend,” Kary said.
The death of his good friend deeply affected Kary. With Pazderka, he had lost a special person in his life: “He was funny, had an old-school sense of humor and helped a lot of people when he had money. Bernhard Pils and all his other contemporaries loved him. ‘Patzi’ got along well with everyone. He knew everyone, that’s what always fascinated me regarding him. I knew him for 59 years. When he came back from Australia, we trained a lot together in Vienna – whenever we were both there. Over time, a friendship developed. He also helped me when my wife was ill for ten years.” The day before his death, Pazderka had met with Kary. The two remained close friends until the very end – until that tragic June 20th, when Pazderka was taken from this life unexpectedly.
Austrian Tennis Legend Georg Pazderka Passes Away at 82
The Austrian tennis community is mourning the loss of a beloved figure, Georg Pazderka, who passed away unexpectedly on June 20, 2024, at the age of 82. Known affectionately as “Patzi” or “Schurli,” Pazderka was a prominent figure in Austrian tennis, leaving behind a legacy of wit, passion, and sporting excellence. His funeral will be held in Vienna on July 19, 2024, where friends, family, and fellow tennis enthusiasts will gather to pay their respects.
A Life Dedicated to Tennis
Pazderka’s love for tennis began at a young age, growing up in Vienna-Landstrasse. His talent shone early, even winning a European Championship as a ball boy. As a young man, he honed his skills on courts overlooking Soviet tanks, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport. Pazderka’s talent and determination earned him a place on the Austrian Davis Cup team, where he competed in 1965, and a remarkable doubles victory at the Kitzbühel tournament with tennis legend Arthur Ashe.
A Colorful Personality and Lasting Legacy
Beyond his tennis achievements, Pazderka was renowned for his vibrant personality and sharp wit. He was a man who said what he thought, even if it meant drawing criticism. His adventurous spirit led him to Australia at the age of 17, where he worked and coached before returning to Austria to pursue his tennis career.
After retiring from competitive tennis, Pazderka opened a Sergio Tacchini sportswear shop in Vienna, becoming one of the city’s most successful retailers. He never lost his passion for the sport, even building one of Vienna’s first indoor tennis courts in the 1960s. Pazderka’s warmth and humor made him a welcome guest at tennis events, where his entertaining anecdotes and playful antics kept audiences engaged.
Remembering a Friend and a Legend
Hans Kary, a longtime friend and fellow tennis legend, shared poignant memories of Pazderka, describing him as a “genius” and a “great sportsman.” Kary recalled Pazderka’s talent, his generosity, his infectious sense of humor, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Pazderka’s legacy as a beloved figure in Austrian tennis will endure, his memory cherished by all who knew him.
The passing of Georg Pazderka marks a significant loss for Austrian tennis. His vibrant personality, his dedication to the sport, and his enduring friendships will be deeply missed. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players, reminding them of the power of passion, perseverance, and the joy of the game.
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