John Newcombe

[kiki]

Originally Posted by BobbyOne

kiki, You don't accept history. It's a pity for such a serious and expert man you are.

Newcombe trailed Rosewall in big events (3:4).

Most signifant are the hths of Newcombe and Roche against Laver and Rosewall: Newcombe-Laver 5:12; Newcombe-Rosewall 10:14 (Rosewall 33 to 41 years old). Roche -Laver 9:11; Roche -Rosewall 9:7.

You cannot disprove me that Roche was stronger than Newcombe in 1968 and 1969 and about equal in 1970 before Roche got his arm troubles and did virtually not play for three full years...

Roche lost to Laver and Rosewall in 1968 to 1970 because they were the giants of tennis then.

Rosewall and Laver were a level up Newcombe and Roche, I agree with you
While Roche was extremely talented he just lacked
Newks winning ability

[kiki]

Originally Posted by BobbyOne

kiki, Are you the walking encyclopedia? I had thought Bud Collins was...

I just lived and loved GOLDEN ERA TENNIS

[pc1]

Originally Posted by BobbyOne

kiki, Are you the walking encyclopedia? I had thought Bud Collins was...

Originally Posted by kiki

I just lived and loved GOLDEN ERA TENNIS

Here's a practice session with Rosewall and Newcombe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aUnSCp64S0

[BobbyOne]

Originally Posted by pc1

Here's a practice session with Rosewall and Newcombe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aUnSCp64S0

pc1, I think the clip is from 1962. It shows many backhand slices from Newcombe. One could believe John has the all-time best backhand...

[pc1]

Originally Posted by BobbyOne

pc1, I think the clip is from 1962. It shows many backhand slices from Newcombe. One could believe John has the all-time best backhand...

I don't think so. You can tell Rosewall has a smoother and longer swing than Newcombe. Newcombe had a backhand that worked for him and it was a very good approach shot. It was good enough for him to win numerous clay court tournaments but it was several levels below Rosewall's backhand.

[SoCal10s]

Originally Posted by BobbyOne

pc1, I think the clip is from 1962. It shows many backhand slices from Newcombe. One could believe John has the all-time best backhand...

you've got to be kidding .. Newcombe couldn't hit a backhand passing shot to save his life.. that's why he came to bet so often ..

I loved watching Newkt play ,he did so much with what he had.. his service motion was so fluid ,the way he would try to get every inch coming into the service line after his serves .. his forehand was his bread and butter .. he would have been great in today's modern tennis .. big serve ,big forehand ,but he came to net .. his wing span must have been extraordinary to cover so much court .. he had great anticipation to be able to capitalize on the opponent;s weak shots..

there were so many great Aussie players with different styles .. it was really fun seeing it all ..

Stolle
Rosewall
Laver
Newcombe
Roache
Emerson



who else did I miss ?

[North]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

there were so many great Aussie players with different styles .. it was really fun seeing it all ..

Stolle
Rosewall
Laver
Newcombe
Roache
Emerson



who else did I miss ?

Potentially better than any of them when he played his best - Lew Hoad. Could have achieved way more if he consistently played as well as he was capable of.

[SoCal10s]

Originally Posted by North

Potentially better than any of them when he played his best - Lew Hoad. Could have achieved way more if he consistently played as well as he was capable of.

maybe true ,but he was too busy beering in up ...

[pc1]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

you've got to be kidding .. Newcombe couldn't hit a backhand passing shot to save his life.. that's why he came to bet so often ..

I loved watching Newkt play ,he did so much with what he had.. his service motion was so fluid ,the way he would try to get every inch coming into the service line after his serves .. his forehand was his bread and butter .. he would have been great in today's modern tennis .. big serve ,big forehand ,but he came to net .. his wing span must have been extraordinary to cover so much court .. he had great anticipation to be able to capitalize on the opponent;s weak shots..

there were so many great Aussie players with different styles .. it was really fun seeing it all ..

Stolle
Rosewall
Laver
Newcombe
Roache
Emerson



who else did I miss ?

Don't you think Newk would greatly benefit from today's racquets, as least as far as his backhand was concerned? It's pretty easy to hit one handed topspin passing shots today

Incidentally BobbyOne knows Newcombe's backhand wasn't powerful. He was just writing from the video it didn't look half bad.

[pc1]

Originally Posted by North

Potentially better than any of them when he played his best - Lew Hoad. Could have achieved way more if he consistently played as well as he was capable of.

You should check out Dan Lobb's posts and the Lew Hoad thread I started.

[SoCal10s]

Originally Posted by pc1

Don't you think Newk would greatly benefit from today's racquets, as least as far as his backhand was concerned? It's pretty easy to hit one handed topspin passing shots today

Incidentally BobbyOne knows Newcombe's backhand wasn't powerful. He was just writing from the video it didn't look half bad.

I don't think so,his backhand never came over the ball to create that amount of topspin.. but his serve and forehand would have been awesome for today's game.. plus the way he covered the court and retrieve those volleys,1 1/2 steps backwards to cover every lob for a put-away overhead.. he had the biggest first step I've ever seen,pretty much like Sampras ..

[pc1]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

I don't think so,his backhand never came over the ball to create that amount of topspin.. but his serve and forehand would have been awesome for today's game.. plus the way he covered the court and retrieve those volleys,1 1/2 steps backwards to cover every lob for a put-away overhead.. he had the biggest first step I've ever seen,pretty much like Sampras ..

Always thought that Newcombe technically was almost the perfect serve and volley player. The guy had all the tools and skills for a great serve and volleyer. He had a big first and second serve. He moved in very quickly toward the net off the serve. He had what some called the best first volley in the game along with a great forehand volley and a very good backhand volley. And of course as you wrote a great overhead. Sampras had a great first and second serve too but I don't think he was quick as solid at the net although he was terrific.

I do think Newk would have been able to change his backhand with today's racquets to hit the topspin. It was tough in the past with those tiny heavy wood racquets. But maybe you're right.

The forehand was really a terrific shot. I am amazed people now forget what a great forehand the man had.

[North]

Originally Posted by pc1

You should check out Dan Lobb's posts and the Lew Hoad thread I started.

I will. Thanks!

[SoCal10s]

Originally Posted by pc1

I do think Newk would have been able to change his backhand with today's racquets to hit the topspin. It was tough in the past with those tiny heavy wood racquets. But maybe you're right.

The forehand was really a terrific shot. I am amazed people now forget what a great forehand the man had.

I saw him play with those aluminum rackets too.. he did great with those .. his b/h flatten out and he just reached out pretty much like Pancho Gonzalez did to hit tons of winning forehands at the end of his career.. his slice b/h had more depth due to the racket change,that made it easier for him to use it more for approach shots to win points up at net..

[mmk]

I have a really great story about Newcombe & Roche from the early 70s, but I think I'll send it in to John Wertheim for one of his encounters with a pro segments. Laver was there too, but the best part was Newcombe.

[kiki]

He and Kodes had always long, tight matches as the two warriors they were.In the 69 FO quarters, Kodes pounded him so much he couldn´t leave the therapeut, even if he won (I¡Okker defeated him easily next day).

They also had a magnificient DC match, over 5 sets on the Australian grass.Kodes beat him in the 71 USO and Newcombe got sweet revenge in the final of that event a couple of years later.
Kodes always pulled Newk to the tight end, and only his legendary ability to win in the fifth set kept him going...

[pc1]

Originally Posted by mmk

I have a really great story about Newcombe & Roche from the early 70s, but I think I'll send it in to John Wertheim for one of his encounters with a pro segments. Laver was there too, but the best part was Newcombe.

Sounds interesting. If Wertheim mentions it please share the story or at least the link for us.

[pc1]

Originally Posted by kiki

He and Kodes had always long, tight matches as the two warriors they were.In the 69 FO quarters, Kodes pounded him so much he couldn´t leave the therapeut, even if he won (I¡Okker defeated him easily next day).

They also had a magnificient DC match, over 5 sets on the Australian grass.Kodes beat him in the 71 USO and Newcombe got sweet revenge in the final of that event a couple of years later.
Kodes always pulled Newk to the tight end, and only his legendary ability to win in the fifth set kept him going...

Always been curious about that 1969 French Open match. I think Kodes led 4-1 in the fifth before Newcombe won. I think Newcombe polished Kodes off with a couple of aces. Newcombe was definitely capable of winning the French.

[BobbyOne]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

you've got to be kidding .. Newcombe couldn't hit a backhand passing shot to save his life.. that's why he came to bet so often ..

I loved watching Newkt play ,he did so much with what he had.. his service motion was so fluid ,the way he would try to get every inch coming into the service line after his serves .. his forehand was his bread and butter .. he would have been great in today's modern tennis .. big serve ,big forehand ,but he came to net .. his wing span must have been extraordinary to cover so much court .. he had great anticipation to be able to capitalize on the opponent;s weak shots..

there were so many great Aussie players with different styles .. it was really fun seeing it all ..

Stolle
Rosewall
Laver
Newcombe
Roache
Emerson



who else did I miss ?

Ask Dan Lobb!

[BobbyOne]

Originally Posted by pc1

Don't you think Newk would greatly benefit from today's racquets, as least as far as his backhand was concerned? It's pretty easy to hit one handed topspin passing shots today

Incidentally BobbyOne knows Newcombe's backhand wasn't powerful. He was just writing from the video it didn't look half bad.

pc1, Thanks. I wrote so because all we see in that video from Newk are backhand slices....