Rod Laver and Billie Jean King have paid tribute to Australian tennis player Owen Davidson, who has died aged 79.

Davidson — who won 13 major doubles titles during his career — died in Conroe, Texas on Friday (US time).

He claimed 11 major titles in mixed doubles and two in men’s doubles. Davidson teamed with Billie Jean King to win eight of his major trophies in a career that spanned from the early 1960s to the mid-1970s.

In 1967, Davidson became only the third player in tennis history to earn all four major mixed doubles titles in the same year, including three with King.

Laver described his countryman Davidson as one of the greatest doubles players of his time.

“He was a fellow leftie, great sporting champion, the best in doubles, and above all, a great mate,” Laver tweeted.

“Rest in peace Davo.”

King warmly remembered her former mixed doubles partner.

“Our hearts are broken, but we find peace in the lifetime of wonderful memories we shared with our friend Davo,” King said in a tweet.

Known for his strong left-arm serve, Davidson won the 1972 Australian Open men’s doubles with Ken Rosewall and the 1973 US Open with John Newcombe.

In singles, he reached the 1966 semifinals of Wimbledon by upsetting two-time defending champion Roy Emerson.

Davidson also reached the quarterfinals in singles at seven other majors — five times at the Australian Championships and twice at the US Nationals, a precursor to the US Open.

He played in the first match of the Open era, defeating John Clifton in the first round of the British Hard Court Championships on April 22, 1968.

Davidson and King combined to win four major titles at Wimbledon, three at the US Open and one at the French Open.

In the 1971 Wimbledon final, they outlasted Margaret Court and Marty Riessen 3-6, 6-2, 15-13. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010.

A year later, Davidson was added to the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.

Melbourne-born Davidson was coached by compatriot and fellow Hall of Famer Mervyn Rose, and worked with Davis Cup captain Harry Hopman as a member of the Australian Davis Cup team.

He is survived by his son Cameron and brother Trevor Davidson.

AP/ABC

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