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. Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Authentic . The roster changes have been constant and continuous since late last year, but even with their 46-man roster set for the start of the season, the banged-up Bombers will be kicking off Week 1 with a handful of fresh faces and back-ups in the starting lineup. Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys China . -- Martin Kaymer never lost sight of opportunity even amid so much evidence of trouble in the closing stretch Sunday at The Players Championship. http://www.cheaptimberwolvesjerseys.com/. They say things like "stress is when you dont know what youre doing" and "I wasnt hired to motivate players, I was hired to coach motivated players." They ring as true now as they did when Mularkey heard them the first time playing tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame coach 25 years ago. Cheap Swingman Timberwolves Jerseys . -- A year ago, Flavia Pennetta was close to retiring from tennis. Wholesale Timberwolves Jerseys .com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies have finalized their agreed-upon trade that sends former National League MVP Jimmy Rollins to the West Coast for a pair of minor league pitching prospects.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- A familiar face returned to the practice field for the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday. Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon suited up for his first appearance since a foot injury in Week 2 sent him to the inactive list. Weatherspoon is still not eligible to play in this weekends game against the Seattle Seahawks, though he said he feels good enough to take the field. If all goes well in practice, he could return for the Nov. 17 contest at Tampa Bay. The Falcons were 1-1 on the day Weatherspoon was hurt. They have since slumped to 2-6, going from Super Bowl contenders to a team that probably must win out to have any chance of making the playoffs. "Its been pretty tough," Weatherspoon said. "I love to play football. To take that away makes it a little bit rough. I think the guys have stepped in there and done some promising things. Weve got to build off that and try to get a win this week." Clearly, the Atlanta defence will be more imposing with Weatherspoon in the middle, calling signals and serving as the vocal leader. Actually, said safety William Moore, the entire team will be better. "Thats his role on this team -- to lead this whole football team, not just the defence," Moore said. "To have him back, I cant wait." If not for injury list rules requiring him to sit out at least eight weeks (including a bye), Weatherspoon figures he would be ready to play Sunday against the Seahawks (8-1). Still, he must show the teams training staff --- and the coaches -- that hes fully recovered.ddddddddddddConsidering the way things have gone this season for the Falcons, theres no need to bring him back before hes 100 per cent. "Ive been able to go out there and do some reaction drills," said Weatherspoon, a first-round pick of the Falcons in 2010. "Basically, Ive been able to go play football without hitting people. I feel pretty confident where we are." The 25-year-old is one of the most outspoken players on the team and a huge influence in the locker room. Defensive co-ordinator Mike Nolan had to tone him down during team meetings while he was injured, because Weatherspoon kept barking out the calls during film sessions. "If Im not going to be out there on the field, it does us no good if Im doing it," he said. Now, he can start yapping again. The Falcons sure missed his voice. "No doubt about it," Moore said. "Thats going to be huge for us. Not only his play, but just his emotion, bringing all that back to the team. We missed that. We had guys who really dont talk a lot trying to step up and take his place." NOTES: DT Corey Peters did not participate in practice because of a knee injury. ... WR Roddy White (ankle, hamstring), DT Peria Jerry (toe), OT Sam Baker (knee) and LB Stephen Nicholas (thigh) were limited. The Falcons again expressed cautious optimism that White will be able to return, but they said the same thing last week before he sat out against Carolina. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '