> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.gtv.blue/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# 100 Heroes: Gottfried von Cramm
- URL: https://www.gtv.blue/gottfried-von-cramm/
- Published: 2026-07-06T23:04:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-07T10:27:47.000Z
- Description: The gay man who refused to be used by the Nazis.
- Author: Gareth Johnson
- Tags: 100 Heroes

Gottfried von Cramm was a German tennis champion who won the French Open twice. 

He was ranked number 2 in the world in 1934 and 1936, and number 1 in the world in 1937.

Cramm represented Germany during the period when the Nazi party rose to power in the 1930s. The Nazi regime attempted to exploit his appearance and skill as a symbol of Aryan supremacy, but he refused to identify with Nazism.

He was persecuted as a homosexual by the German government and was jailed briefly in 1938.

### Early life

Cramm was born in Lower Saxony in 1909\. He was born into a wealthy family.

### Tennis career

In 1932, Cramm was selected to be part of the German Davis Cup team. That year, he also won the first of four straight German national tennis championships.

He earned his first individual Grand Slam title in 1934, winning the French Open. His victory made him a national hero in Germany and his career continued to build.

As a handsome, blond, successful tennis player, Cramm fitted perfectly the Aryan race image of a Nazi ideology that put pressure on all German athletes to be superior. However, Cramm steadfastly refused to be a tool for Nazi propaganda.

### Imprisonment on morals charges

In 1938 - at a time when he was enormously popular with the German public - Cramm was arrested and tried on the charge of a homosexual relationship with [Manasse Herbst](https://www.gtv.blue/manasse-herbst/). Cramm was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.

Cramm was released on parole after six months. He returned to competitive tennis in 1939.

### Wartime service and postwar career

In 1940, Cramm was conscripted into military service.

He saw action on the Eastern Front and was awarded the Iron Cross. He was dismissed from military service in 1942.

After the war, Cramm returned to tennis. He continued to play competitively until 1953.

### Death

In 1976, while on a business trip in Egypt, Cramm and his driver were killed when their car was hit by a truck.

## Sign up for full access to G-TV

Immerse yourself in the world of gay men.

Subscribe 

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. 

Free to join. Unsubscribe anytime.

[100 Heroes - Naked Men Talking![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e8/3f/e83f7e76-af4a-4e9f-a171-931e3df7b588/content/images/icon/favicon-56f1e5b3-7604-427f-b115-2b5e4a330208.ico)Naked Men Talking![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e8/3f/e83f7e76-af4a-4e9f-a171-931e3df7b588/content/images/thumbnail/Bruce-Bellas-a619de86-c207-494e-a656-521f31b90613.jpg)](https://www.gtv.blue/tag/100-heroes/)