Unfortunately, on June 4, 1969, when Mexican Airways Flight 704 crashed into the mountains near Monterrey on it claimed the lives of 79 people including a Rafael Osuna.  He had carried the hopes of his country for a decade until his life was tragically cut short.  Rafael Osuna is the only Mexican tennis player ever ranked World No. 1.  He is the only Mexican tennis player ever to win a Grand Slam event singles title, the United States Tennis Association National Championships US Open Singles (1963).  "He was the quickest of his era," recalled legendary tennis broadcaster Bud Collins, who commentated on many of the Mexican star's biggest matches, including his 1963 U.S. Open final win over Frank Froehling on the grass of Forest Hills.  Unconventional tactics were Osuna's trademark and they played a major part in his only grand slam singles success in 1963. 

Froehling was renowned for his big serve-and-volley game. Osuna perplexed him by standing way back behind the baseline and then floating back lobbed returns. An easy 7-5 6-4 6-2 victory followed, and a place is tennis history for Osuna as the first and only grand slam champion from Mexico.  It earned Osuna the International Tennis Federation's world No. 1 ranking at the end of 1963, the same year he graduated from USC with a degree in business administration.  The 1963 US Open title was the only singles Grand Slam event title won by Osuna, the only one ever won by a native of Mexico, and the pinnacle of his short, but impactful career.

The sterling Silver award was manufactured by B & M Baldwin and Miller Sterling, measures a large 15” in diameter.  The plate is engraved on the face and reads, “United States Lawn Tennis Association, Men’s Singles Championship, 1963 Winner, Rafael Osuna”.  The trophy comes directly from Mexico where it was purchased a relative of the great Rafael Osuna.  This plate signifies the ultimate accomplishment in the Hall of Fame career of the Mexican Tennis legend Rafael Osuna and has never been sold in public auction.

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