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