Colin Dibley

Born on September 19, 1944 in Sydney, New South Wales, Colin Dibley rose to fame when he grabbed the record for the fastest serve in the world clocked at 148 mph according to Tennis Magazine who held the contest at Forest Hills during the 1974 US Open. He has four singles titles and seventeen titles in doubles, reaching his highest ranking in the ATP in 1973 when he reached the 35th rank in the world. He has been named the one with the most ‘live arms’ of his generation by commentator Pam Shriver making his serves with a good old Dunlop Maxply and beating some of the world’s toughest player like Rod Laver, John Newcomb, Illie Nastase, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, and Ivan Lendl.

Prior to going pro, Dibley was a customs official at the Sydney International Airport. He entered professional tennis at the age of 26.

Dibley retired in 1980 to settle down in Chatham with a local girl and eventually focused his energies in real estate while coaching younger players in his free time. He also enjoyed a good run at the seniors circuit and spent his time doing exhibition matches and taught at Center Court in Chatham. He was also the touring pro in Boca Raton, Florida, playing with wealthy club members for nine hours a day. Until 2002 he was the tennis director at South Orange although this relationship ended following a legal feud with his business partner. For several years he sold real estate for Jordan Barris Inc. although he is still considered a local hero back in Australia.