Former Grand Slam tennis player Bob Hewitt has been jailed for six years by a South African court for raping underage girls.

Hewitt, 75, was found guilty in May of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault on girls he was coaching in the 1980s and 1990s.

He had denied the charges relating to three women.

Hewitt won numerous Grand Slam titles during his hey-day and played men’s and mixed doubles at Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club among other venues.

His name was removed from the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012 following the allegations.

The BBC reported Judge Bert Bam criticised the Australian-born player for not showing remorse during his trial and that justice must be seen to be done, even for ageing offenders.

Speaking earlier at the sentencing hearing, Hewitt's wife Delaille had begged the court to show mercy and not award a custodial sentence.

But Judge Bam said the striking similarities among the three victims' testimonies showed that Hewitt's conduct was calculated.

Hewitt, who was a Grand Slam doubles champion in the 1960s and 1970s, is expected to appeal against his conviction and sentence.

He was particularly successful in the 1960s, when he won all the Grand Slam doubles titles – the men’s and mixed doubles at Wimbledon and the US, Australian, and French Opens.

He has been jailed for six years.