Ken Rosewall v Tony Roche

[tennismonkey]

full credit to Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim who posts this video in his recent mailbag.

it's ken rosewall and tony roche in 1970 u.s. open final. i've never seen these two play before but these guys could play. some amazing shots and volleys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJubuKDN7Fk

[treblings]

Originally Posted by tennismonkey

full credit to Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim who posts this video in his recent mailbag.

it's ken rosewall and tony roche in 1970 u.s. open final. i've never seen these two play before but these guys could play. some amazing shots and volleys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJubuKDN7Fk

yeah...great video. was uploaded on youtube by our own poster, krosero.
see former pro player forum

[tennismonkey]

ahh thanks - didn't know it was courtesy of krosero. sweet video. looks like roche is playing with some t-2000 looking stick? the angles, ridiculous volley angles and court coverage is pretty amazing.

[treblings]

Originally Posted by tennismonkey

ahh thanks - didn't know it was courtesy of krosero. sweet video. looks like roche is playing with some t-2000 looking stick? the angles, ridiculous volley angles and court coverage is pretty amazing.

pretty sure roche played a yonex frame at the time. the exact name of the model escapes me, but i could probably look it up.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by tennismonkey

full credit to Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim who posts this video in his recent mailbag.

it's ken rosewall and tony roche in 1970 u.s. open final. i've never seen these two play before but these guys could play. some amazing shots and volleys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJubuKDN7Fk

I'm always happy to see someone discover how great the past greats really were, and what they could do with those 14oz, 65si wood racquets. Not all older videos capture their true greatness.

Thanks to TT's own Krosero for editing and posting the highlights from this match. Yup, Ken Rosewall was an all time great. 22 years top 5 in the world. 4 amateur majors, 19 pro majors, and 4 more "open" majors after the age of 33. Tony Roche was the heir apparent to Rod Laver with one of the greatest, most complete, games in the history of tennis. He was the best volleyer I've ever seen. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from having the career he might have had.

Here are a few more videos from Krosero, and others, you might also enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUvK-1tUvQM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHaN2h21ANs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf4wrrpzdYc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDFd4q3CycU

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by tennismonkey

ahh thanks - didn't know it was courtesy of krosero. sweet video. looks like roche is playing with some t-2000 looking stick? the angles, ridiculous volley angles and court coverage is pretty amazing.

That was the "infamous" Chemold aluminum racquet that ruined many an elbow in its day. Laver played with one, temporarily.

PS: It was very similar to the Spalding "Smasher" used by Pancho Gonzales in the late 60's early 70's. I'm not sure which came first. But, the Smasher didn't seem to be as harsh on the arm as the Chemold.

[treblings]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

That was the "infamous" Chemold aluminum racquet that ruined many an elbow in its day. Laver played with one, temporarily.

PS: It was very similar to the Spalding "Smasher" used by Pancho Gonzales in the late 60's early 70's. I'm not sure which came first. But, the Smasher didn't seem to be as harsh on the arm as the Chemold.

you´re correctit´s the chemold in this video, not the yonex-7500 that he also played for some time.

[tennismonkey]

never seen vijay play before. amazing game. it's crazy to see the amount of control they have. would be interesting to see these guys hit with a modern racquet and poly strings.

[josofo]

i always think rosewall doesn't get talked about enought in the goat discussions.