Tributes are being paid to Australian tennis great Mervyn Rose, a two-time major singles champion, who has died aged 87.

Rose, a star of the 1950s prior to the open era, won the Australian Championship in 1954 and captured the French Championship title four years later.

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The Coffs Harbour-born Rose also claimed the Davis Cup twice (1951, 1957) as part of Australia's squad.

Rose, who was ranked three in the world when an unofficial rankings list was compiled in 1958, also claimed doubles titles at the Australian and US Championships, as well as Wimbledon.

He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2001 and Australian Hall of Fame a year later.

Rose was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2006 for his service to tennis as a player, and coach and mentor to both amateur and professional players.

Mervyn Rose reached a career high of world number three during his time on court. ( Supplied: Tennis Australia )

Retired Australian Davis Cup winner and major doubles champion, Todd Woodbridge, paid tribute to Rose via social media.

"Saddened to hear of the passing of Merv Rose unique tennis character. GS champ 54 AO, 58 RG loved tennis, great coach," Woodbridge tweeted.

Rose coached all-time greats Billie Jean King and Margaret Court, as well as Spain's Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Australian Richard Fromberg.

King credited Rose for her rise in the ranks in 1964.

"Every day he would help me. He would change my serve, my forehand," King said.

"He changed my game, my tactics. I can't tell you how he changed my life. He taught me how to be number one."

AAP/ABC