Pate savors return to Wimbledon

Victoria Sun

Friday, July 13, 2001 | 10:06 a.m.

The last time David Pate played at Wimbledon, he was still a full-time professional on the ATP Tour in 1994.

So when he and his doubles partner, Scott Davis, were invited back to the historic All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club this year to play in the men's 35-and-over doubles tournament, it was an offer he couldn't refuse.

"I was really excited about going back there," Pate said. "It's always great to go there to play because people really get into the tennis.

"For me, it (being at Wimbledon) was a big change. The last time I was there, there was a little locker room. If it rained, the locker room was crowded, you couldn't go to what they call the tea room to hang out.

"Now they've built a whole new area for the players, took out the old court and added a new one. It's much more spectator friendly and player friendly."

Davis and Pate won two matches and lost one at Wimbledon to finish second of four in their group.

Just as things on the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon have changed over the last seven years, so too have Pate's priorities.

The Las Vegan is the tennis director and owner of the Grandma's Tennis Togs pro shop at Bally's hotel-casino.

These days Pate gives lessons at Bally's three times a week, but devotes most of his time to raising his three children: Dakota, 11, Colton, 10, and Sarah, 7.

"Whether it's baseball, soccer or tennis, I just enjoy spending time with them," said Pate, 39.

During Pate's 12 years on the tour from 1983-94, he won two singles titles and 18 doubles titles.

In 1987, he earned his highest singles ranking (No. 18) before a shoulder injury forced him to focus on doubles. Clearly, that did not hurt his career as he went on to become the top- ranked doubles player in 1991.

But Pate's devotion to tennis might not have happened were it not for a freak accident.

The Pate family moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas when David was 11.

David and older brother Jack took up dirt bike riding. On one excursion when Jack was in the seventh grade, he injured his leg so severely a doctor suggested it be amputated.

That's when the boys' mother, Val, banned them from riding and David focused on tennis.

"From the age of 11, I hung out at the courts all the time," Pate said. "I played every day of my life from when I was 11 until I got to college and was able to take a little bit of a break when we weren't traveling."

Both Jack and David became two-time high school state champions.

It helped tremendously that their father, Chuck, was a teaching pro at Caesars Palace and taught Pancho Gonzalez how to play.

"I used to hit with Pancho and was a ball boy for the (professional tennis tournament that used to be held annually at Caesars Palace) tournament, so I was always around tennis," Pate said. "That was a big advantage having that tournament here."

After high school he played tennis at TCU and teamed with Carl Richter to win the 1981 NCAA doubles title.

Today Pate, a two-time All-American, admits getting in shape to play tournaments has become a bigger obstacle.

Still, he and Davis compete at about five tournaments and exhibitions per year.

"It's about going back and seeing all of the guys you used to play against," Pate said. "The hardest part is waking up the next day and not being so stiff.

"You're out there to win. You're out there playing for pride."

Pate and Davis are the defending U.S. Open men's doubles champions in the 35-and-over division. The duo have won the event two out of the last three years and were finalists the year they didn't win.

They will be at this year's U.S. Open in hopes of repeating their feat.

Before that though, the two will compete at a charity event in Long Island called the "Huggy Bear."

Pate said his trip to Wimbledon was well worth it.

"Not everyone can go there and play," Pate said, "unlike the U.S. Open where you can play when the courts are available.

"I think that's what makes it so alluring. At Wimbledon, they close down that center court so the only way you're going to get to play is if you're scheduled there."