Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Vic Braden, a former tennis player who became one of the nations top tennis instructors, died from complications of congestive heart failure at the age of 85. He died Monday at his home in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, according to his wife of 43 years, Melody Braden. Braden, who played in the late 1940s and early 50s, began playing tennis in grade school in his hometown of Monroe, Michigan and captured the Class A state singles title in high school in 1946 and 47. The 5-foot-6 Braden was a 1951 graduate of Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where he was captain of the tennis team and later inducted into the schools athletic hall of fame. He was one of the top players on teams that won the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships in each of his four years. Braden turned pro after college at a time when there were only a few professional tennis tournaments. He eventually joined the legendary Jack Kramer on Kramers fledgling pro tour. Among those Braden played with were Jimmy Evert, the father of Hall-of-Famer Chris Evert, and George Richey, the father of future pros Cliff and Nancy Richey. Rest in Peace, Vic Braden., Chris Evert wrote on her Twitter account. Innovative, cutting edge kind of guy. Will miss his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. Hell be greatly missed. Braden and Kramer later co-founded the Jack Kramer Club in Rolling Hills Estates, California, where future Hall-of-Famer Tracy Austin learned the game as a child. So sad to hear of the passing of tennis coach Vic Braden, a pioneer, innovator, & true legend in our sport! Austin tweeted. Braden was known for his innovative teaching style, and his application of technology to the basics of tennis instruction. He authored several books and articles on tennis instruction and was a licensed psychologist in California. Tennis has lost a treasure, Billie Jean King wrote on Twitter. he was always on the cutting edge of science in tennis & is an all-time great in our industry. Braden is also survived by children Kory Braden-Hittelman, Kristen Paul, Troy Davis and Shawn Davis, and four grandchildren. His daughter, Kelly, died 12 years ago from complications of lupus. Bradens body has been donated to the University of California, Irvine, for research purposes. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Vance McDonald Jersey . The club announced Friday that Mauro Biello will be kept on as an assistant to coach Jesse Marsch when the Impact join the MLS in 2012. Artie Burns Jersey . The New York State Supreme Court only partially dismissed the lawsuit, meaning the case could be headed for trial. The tour announced a year ago that Singh would be suspended for saying in a Sports Illustrated story that he took deer antler spray, which was believed to contain the banned substance IGF-1. http://www.steelerspronfl.com/Youth-Dai ... -Jersey/.Y. - Brooklyn Nets centre Brook Lopez has a strained lower back and will miss at least a week. Cameron Sutton Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Heath Miller Jersey .com) - The Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors are back in the great white north for a brief moment and will host the Dallas Mavericks Friday night from Air Canada Centre.(SportsNetwork.com) - Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced Monday that he will next fight fellow welterweight titleholder Marcos Maidana on May 3. "I will be fighting Marcos Maidana May 3rd on Pay-per-view Showtime/CBS," Mayweather said on his Twitter account. The fight will be the third of the 30-month, six-fight deal worth $200 million-plus that Mayweather signed with Showtime and parent network CBS last February. In his last fight, Mayweather (45-0, 26 KOs) beat Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on Seept.dddddddddddd 14, 2013. Maidana (35-3, 31 KOs) will be making the first defence of his belt. "Marcos Maidanas last performance immediately brought him to my attention," Mayweather said in a statement. "He is an extremely skilled fighter who brings knockout danger to the ring. I think this is a great fight for me and he deserves the opportunity to see if he can do what 45 others have tried to do before him -- beat me." The venue for the fight has yet to be determined. Black China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL T-shirts