Matt Doyle, was part of the Irish Davis Cup squad from 1982, the year he led them to the European Zone A Championships to when he finished 8 years after playing in 17 Davis Cup ties.
In Ireland' only appearance in the World Group in 1984, Doyle kept Irish hopes alive versus Italy in the first round by winning the fourth rubber over Claudio Panatta, in an away tie on clay. However Corrado Barazzutti was in top form and easily dispatched Sean Sorensen - father of Louk - in the deciding fifth match, 0-6, 3-6, 3-6. – after Doyle had also lost to Barazzutti in straight sets in the opening rubber.
The loss though set up a memorable tie versus the United States with the winner to remain in the World Group for the following year.
In a match played at RDS Arena to accommodate the 6,000 spectators as the match featured World No. 1 John McEnroe.
As expected McEnroe dominated his two singles matches, as well as the doubles rubber with Peter Fleming, in straight sets. Doyle stayed close in the first set versus McEnroe losing 7-9 in the end, before going down in the second and third sets 3-6 and 3-6. Doyle did get the only consolation win, levelling the tie at one apiece in defeating Eliot Teltscher in the second rubber, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Doyle had a career singles Davis Cup match win-loss record of 19 and 10 and a doubles record of 8 and 7. He formed a very successful partnership with Sean Sorensen
Regarded as very intelligent, Doyle earned an economics degree at Yale and admitted during his playing days that one of the biggest sacrifices of being a tennis pro was having to give up his
daily perusal of the Wall Street Journal.
Having started playing tennis at age five, Doyle reached the No. 1 ranking in California's 14-and-under age group and when he grew tired of tennis, Matt took up basketball. But a Yale, he
discovered his lack of jumping ability would curtail his progress, so it
was time for a new sport - golf.
He played No. 1 for the Yale golf team, but personnel changes in the programme caused him to return to tennis.
Late in his career knee operations hampered Matt's mobility and he retired, but remained active in the sport: for a number of years afterwards serving as ATP president from August, 1985 to August, 1987.
Despite playing for the Irish Davis Cup team as early as 1981, Doyle did not become a naturalised Irish citizen until 1985 and is judged officially to have represented the U.S. on the tour, especially when he reached the last 16 at the US Open at Flushing Meadow in 1982 - where he lost to John McEnroe 3-6, 4-6, 4-6
Doyle was the manager of Mats Wilander when the Swede reached his peak in 1988.
After his retirement he set up a coaching school at the K Club and worked as a commentator for RTE when they covered Wimbledon. In 2006 he was also involved in the broadcast of the Ryder Cup from Straffan.
These days he lives in Kildare and plays golf regularly at the K Club
Fact file
DOB: January 13th, 958)
Birthplace: Redwood City, CA
Height:6'4" (193 cm)
Weight:190 lbs (86 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Honours
SINGLES CAREER TITLES (1):
1983 (1) Cologne (Indoor/Carpet)
DOUBLES CAREER FINALIST (1):
1982 (1) Metz (w/Siegler, Indoor/Hard)
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