guppy..  I don't think we are at odds on this.   I completely understand how someone who is famous and a local boy would be a source of pride.   The fact that he was worlds best at tennis is plenty of reason.
The statue shows him with a tennis racket.   I am not into sports but can see how some people would take pride in that.
in the statue he has a tennis racket and no mention of his deeds is on it... just a hebrew quote.
I got no problem with any statue.   Some are kinda contrived or silly tho.. or for the wrong reasons.   Not my call.   Like I said.. the guy was a local boy who made good in the tennis game..   It is good motive for a statue in that city... it would be silly in the most extreme way to have one of him in my city.
lazs