José Manuel Alonso

Manuel Alonso was the first Spanish tennis player of international stature. He was Spanish Champion in 1915, and 1919-20. After the 1920 Olympics, Alonso reached the semi-finals of the World Hard Court Championships in Paris. In 1921 he reached the All-Comers final at Wimbledon, losing to Brian Norton in five sets. He also competed at Wimbledon in 1922 and 1924, with less success, although in 1924 he and his brother, José María reached the quarter-finals in doubles. Manuel Alonso played Davis Cup for Spain from 1921-25, reaching the final round in 1922 with Manuel de Gomar, but they lost to the United States, led by Bill Tilden. He again played for Spain in Davis Cup in 1931 and 1936, appearing in 9 ties overall, recording 14 wins and 11 losses.

Alonso moved to the US in 1923 and played at the US Championships through 1927, reaching the singles quarter-finals in 1922-23, 1925, and 1927. He was three times ranked in the US Top 10, as #3 in 1925, #2 in 1926, and #4 in 1927, and in 1927 was ranked #5 in the world. Alonso was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1977.