Paul Cranis, American tennis professional, dies at 91

American tennis professional Paul Leonard Cranis, widely known as ‘Tall Paul,’ has died at the age of 91. A left-handed player recognized for his serve-and-volley style, Cranis maintained a competitive career spanning several decades.

Cranis achieved notable success on the amateur and professional circuits, including reaching the second round of the U.S. national championships in 1955 and 1967. His career highlights include winning the 1956 Brooklyn Indoor Championships, the 1960 Seventh Regiment Armory Invitational, and the 1971 Eastern Hardcourt Championships. He was inducted into the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2001.

Beyond his individual titles, Cranis was a prominent figure in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) senior circuit, competing in nearly every age division from 35 to 70. He also contributed to the sport by running junior camps that included future stars such as John McEnroe, Vitas Gerulaitis, and Dick Stockton.