It was fitting that his work was recognised at the annual meeting of Tennis Southern on Monday night when he became the first life-member of the new organisation that controls tennis from Timaru to Invercargill.
Existing life members from the old provincial unions have automatically become part of the new structure.
"Dennis has been a tireless supporter of Otago and Southern Districts tennis for over 40 years," the chief executive of Tennis Southern John Crawford-Smith said.
"He has been involved in all facets of the game throughout this period and remains an active participant today.
"Otago and Southern Districts tennis has been a huge recipient of Dennis's time and efforts in all facets of the game.
"To honour Dennis as the first recipient of life membership of Tennis Southern is recognition of the contribution he has made and provides an excellent example of the commitment required to be granted such an honour."
Radford (59), a Dunedin primary school teacher and tennis mentor, has been chairman of Tennis Southern for the last eight years and has worked hard to bring unity to the centres in the district from South Canterbury to Southland.
"My goal has been to get Tennis New Zealand to respect us and not take us cheaply," Radford said.
"We have always played as a team and over-achieved."
He has continued the family involvement in tennis that started with his father, Des Radford, who had a 50-year involvement with tennis.
Radford, who has been the Otago Daily Times tennis correspondent for the last 31 years, has been involved in all aspects of the game.
Radford is respected throughout the country for his tennis knowledge and his ability to promote the game.
This was demonstrated when the Davis Cup round was held in Dunedin last year when the visiting dignitaries praised his efforts.
As a player, Radford represented Otago in more than 200 ties.
He reached the 200 mark as a 48-year-old when he came on as a replacement against Canterbury in 1997.
"This is more than twice the record that any other player in Otago has achieved," Crawford-Smith said.
"He holds the national record for appearances in the Wilding Shield [the national teams event]."
Radford captained Otago for 25 years from 1970-94 and Southern Districts from 1974-94."
His playing highlight was to restrict the Great Onny Parun, one of New Zealand's greatest players, to an 11-9 first set win at the New Zealand championships.
"Another highlight was to beat the Canterbury No 1 in team fixtures for six successive years," Radford said.
He was not satisfied just to contribute to Tennis Southern's record on the court, but has also been involved as a selector, coach, manager, referee and has also held executive positions.
He had three periods as an Otago selector and has been convener of selectors for the Southern Districts for the last seven years.
Radford had four periods as manager of Otago teams from 1974 to 2005.
The longest stint was from 1996 to 2005.
He has also managed the Southern tennis seniors from 2000 to 2002 and from 2005 to 2007.
As a coach Radford has been involved with provincial squad preparation since 1994.
He did his apprenticeship as coach of the Mornington club's children's section from 1967 to 1974.
Radford has been a referee at national and international level.
His most significant appointment was with the National Tennis league with full-time touring professionals from 1991-98 and as head referee at the International Tennis Federation's World Super Senior Games in 2007.
