Rafael Osuna Herrera was, quite possibly, the greatest tennis player you never knew, a fascinating and motivating figure, but more than 40 years since his death he has been largely forgotten.  Perhaps this is because Osuna was at his peak during the 1960s, before the blanket television coverage of grand slams and major competitions such as the Davis Cup.  Getting his start at USC, Osuna Won the Wimbledon Doubles title in 1960 as an underclassman with his roommate at USC Dennis Ralston.  The following year he changed partners to his countryman Antonio Palafox and finished second in the three grand slam championships, with the 1963 US Open being his final runner up finish for the pair in grand slam competition.

The US Open in 1963 was the pinnacle of Rafael Osuna’s career.  Their he captured the first grand slam victory for the country of Mexico and following a runner up finish in the double’s, Osuna was awarded the World #1 ranking, the first and only time in the history of Mexico as well.  According to ESPN Latin America, Osuna's achievements such as reaching the World No. 1 and winning the US Open in 1963 were highly influential factors for the organizers to create a tennis event for the Olympics, an event he won Gold in, in 1968.  A year later his life was cut short in a plane crash and he died at only 30 years old.

The offered sterling silver trophy was manufactured by Gorham Sterling and measures over 6” in diameter.  The trophy is engraved on the front reading, “United States Lawn Tennis Association, Men’s Double’s Championship, 1963, Runners Up.”  The award comes directly from Mexico and was purchased from a member of Osuna’s family.  With this trophy being from the pinnacle of his career, in which earned him the Worlds #1 ranking shortly thereafter and the same event in which Osuna was awarded the only Men’s Singles title in both his career and for the country of Mexico, it is a highly desirable tennis award from his career.

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