Vitas Gerulaitis

Born to Lithuanian immigrant parents, Vitas Gerulaitis was a fixture of the 1970s and early 80s tennis circuit. With his long blond hair, flashy demeanor, and rockstar lifestyle, he was as famous for his off-court exploits as he was for his on-court prowess. He once famously said, "Let me tell you, I've had more fun losing than most people have winning."

Despite a reputation for enjoying the finer things in life, Gerulaitis was a formidable opponent. He won the 1977 Australian Open and reached the finals of both the U.S. Open and the French Open. He's also remembered for his legendary 16-match losing streak to Jimmy Connors, which he finally broke in 1980, quipping, "And let that be a lesson to you all. Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row."

Sadly, Gerulaitis died tragically young at 40 due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. While his flamboyant style and memorable quotes endeared him to many, his ancestry was firmly Lithuanian, not Hebrew.