Anyone who has followed tennis in the last three decades is familiar with the name of Tom Gullikson. In addition to his 11-year playing career — he reached a career-high No. 34 in 1984 — he has coached some of the game’s top players as the Davis Cup Captain (1994-1999) and during the 1996 Olympics, when he coached gold medal winner Andre Agassi.

Gullikson, a native of Wisconsin who now lives in Florida, won the 1984 US Open mixed doubles championship (with Bulgaria's Manuela Maleeva) and continues to attend the tournament each year. He calls the US Open a “uniquely New York” event, and explained what sets it apart from the other three Grand Slam tournaments:

“Other Grand Slams are more traditional. The US Open has the history of a Grand Slam but the spice of New York, with entertainment in mind. Of course, some players like that and some don’t. Those with more aggressive, outgoing personalities tend to like it better. For example, it was perfect for guys like John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Bjorn Borg, on the other hand, was never comfortable here.”

“They have made this tournament more player-friendly – everything from better food to the locker rooms, the USTA is doing everything they can to make it better for the players.”

Gullikson also has many of his own personal memories from his playing days at the tournament.

“During our finals match in 1984, we were at four-all in the third set,” he recalled. “All of a sudden they stopped play so that Geraldine Ferraro, who was then running for vice president, and her entourage could be escorted to their seats. We had to wait 10 minutes, but ultimately I was able to serve out and win the match. I think that 10 minute break helped us,” he said smiling.

Still closely involved with the game at all levels, Gullikson is looking forward to this year’s Davis Cup, although he won’t have an official role.

“We’ve got our best shot in a long time to win Davis Cup this year,” he says. “With Roddick, the Bryan Brothers, and James Blake, it looks good; especially if Blake plays well at the US Open that will give him a lot of confidence for the Davis Cup.”

In fact, the last time America won the Davis Cup was in 1995. Gullikson was team captain when they beat Sweden (who they again play in the semifinals, Sept. 21-23) before they went on to Moscow's Olympic Stadium to defeat Russia in the final.

Gullikson, who prior to turning pro in 1976 taught tennis in the Chicago area, still enjoys teaching and has been involved with fantasy tennis camps for the past several years. This October he will be in Hawaii at the Wailea Fantasy Camp at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, along with Mats Wilander and Jonathan Stark, imparting his expertise to 40-50 participants.

He also oversees the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation, which he founded with his identical twin brother Tim, a former ATP champion and coach to players such as Pete Sampras and Martina Navratilova. The two started the foundation in 1995 when Tim was diagnosed with brain cancer. He ultimately succumbed to the disease in 1996, but the foundation, which supports the special needs of brain cancer patients and their families, continues on.

As for Gullikson, few things give him more enjoyment than his continued involvement with both the foundation and the sport he loves.