Melbourne VIC, Australia, 3 November 2014 | tennis.com.au

Australian tennis legend Frank Sedgman has spoken frankly about revered coach Harry Hopman and the backlash he received at turning pro in his new biography.

Game Segde & Match: making of a tennis dynasty was launched at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne, coinciding with Segdman’s 87th birthday last week.

Penned by respected News Limited journalist and long-time tennis reporter Ron Reed, the book covers those topics plus features an interview with Margaret Court, who credits Sedgman and his wife Jean for helping her become a tennis icon.

The book also delves into the reason Sedgman celebrated his Wimbledon victory in 1952 with a soft drink instead of champagne.

That victory was one of Sedgman’s five Grand Slam singles titles – he also triumphed at the Australian Open in 1947 and 1950, and at the 1951 and 1952 US Open.

The book’s back cover contains a quote taken from Sedgman’s International Tennis Hall of Fame citation: “Sedgman was never given the acclaim he merited.”

The Australian also won 17 Grand Slam doubles titles – nine in men’s doubles, eight in mixed – meaning that from 1948 to 1952, he accumulated a staggering 22 major titles.

He also represented Australia for four years in Davis Cup – compiling a 25-3 record – from 1949 to 1952 before turning pro.