NOLTA announces with great sadness that a true Tennis legend succumbed to cancer on February 9, 2003.   New Orleans' own beloved Mr. Nehemiah Atkinson, known affectionately as "Mr. 'A,'" continued to represent his city, his state, his nation to the end.  He did so with a dignity that few great men have ever been able to equal.  Our deepest sympathy goes to this wonderful man's family and close associates.  His quiet demeanor and kind word for everyone that he met, were hallmarks of his greatness.  Prowess on the tennis court was but an extension of  his soul.  This man had become a living icon in the tennis world,  whose presence was instantly noted at any function he attended.  Accolades  included Louisiana Senior Olympics' "Senior Olympian of the Year"   Louisiana Tennis Association's "Man of the Year" inducted into "Louisiana Tennis  Hall of Fame" and Southern Tennis Association's Hall of Fame, and "Man of the Year."  A  frequent participant in national and world-class tennis tournaments, he often  teamed with other notables, such as US Open Finalist Gardnar Mulloy, winning the Mulloy Cup in Barcelona, Spain for the USA.   NOLTA, and the entire world, will sorely miss this Ambassador of Tennis.  He died a World Champion and a Hero to all who knew him.

Titles and Trophies - Highlights of a Career Spent Elevating Tennis

Mr. A had the  capability to win any event he entered.  He began winning age groups, and  continued winning age groups, and at age 83 was still winning.  He won the World Championship in Singles, in Australia, defeating the top seed to do so.   But the world for Nehemiah did not depend on winning.  He took second place in his last ATA National Championship, because he knew the man across the net would not get another chance at the championship.

Robert G. Miller authored an article on Nehemia Atkinson. Find it here!