Gordon Forbes, a former South African professional tennis player and author, passed away on December 9, 2020, at the age of 86 due to complications related to COVID-19. He was born on February 21, 1934, in Burgersdorp, South Africa.

Forbes had a successful career as a tennis player and won the singles title of the South African Championships in 1959 and 1961. He was also a runner-up in the same tournament in 1955, 1962, 1963, and 1964. Forbes' success on the court was not limited to singles, as he and his doubles partner Abe Segal were considered one of the best doubles teams in the world during the 1950s and 1960s. Forbes also won the Tuscaloosa Grass Court Invitational in 1962, defeating the legendary Rod Laver in the final.

After retiring from tennis, Forbes wrote three books about his experiences as a player, his contemporaries in the sport, and other tennis-related topics. His books, "A Handful of Summers," "Too Soon to Panic," and "The Far Side of the Moon," are considered some of the best memoirs ever written about tennis.

Forbes' contributions to tennis in South Africa and beyond are invaluable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of players and fans alike. His passing marks a sad day for the tennis community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rest in peace, Gordon Forbes.