How good was JA?

[kiki]

John Alexander was, in the early 70´s the new australian ace that would keep the power of down under in the 70´s, when the preopen generation would be done.That is what most australian tennis fans had in mind at that time.

However, he never lived up to those expectations.He and Dent took the torch but those last aussie twins (like Sedgman-Mc Gregor,Browmwich-Quist,Emerson-Laver,Hoad-Rosewall or Newcombe-Roche) never made the impact that they were supposed to.

Alexander, however, did a great job at DC play, he won the title in 1977 and was as hard to beat as they come when DC was at stake.Big serve, excellent volley and solid groundies.He won more WCT and GP titles on clay that on hard or indoors, however.I recall some journalists saying that " no matter how australian he is, he is better on clay than anywhere else"

Dent, with his great serve and tremendous flat FH ( one of the best of the 70´s) reached the AO F in 74 and the RG semis in 77.He also played a Wimbledon QF in 1977 and 1980.Alexander played three AO semis ( 74,75,79) and a WCT semifinal in 1975, when he beat Roscoe Tanner in the first round.

Anybody remembers them?

 

[urban]

I have seen live a close 3 set match on clay between Alexander and Ashe on clay at Düsseldorf WTC in the late 70s. Was a fine serve and volley match on clay. Alexander went on to win all his singles and gave Australia the WTC that year. He had a big serve and a solid allround game, but somehow lacked the killer instinct in big tournaments. Indeed he did best on clay, and his grass results were not especially good. However he was very good looking chap, and all girls were in love with him. I also saw Dent live once, against none other than Rod Laver indoors at Cologne. He had a large jaw, a solid game, but nothing special. No match for Laver, 6-3, 6-1.

 

[newpball]

How good was JA?

Who actually cares?

 

[BobbyOne]

Who actually cares?

Some people with a sense for history.

 

[Frankc]

Some more people who, likewise, recognize the depth and the quality of the spirit of the game...

 

[kiki]

Some people with a sense for history.

true Bobbyone.Secondary players like him were very important to help place the Golden Era where it belonged

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Who actually cares?

Charming..