Won the US Championships in 1948 and 1949 as an amateur, then turned professional and dominated the pro tour through the 1950s, taking thirteen professional major titles and holding the world No. 1 ranking across much of 1952–1961. He was known for a cannonball serve, an outstanding net game and a famously combative temperament. After retiring he commentated for ABC and ran the tennis operation at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.