In 1973, i think, the Aussies would have beaten any US Team that year. Gorman is quite underrated today, and was Laver's nemesis, had beaten him at Wim in 1971. Laver, who came to form in late 1973, would have much preferred to play Ashe or an unexperienced Connors. Also the Team aspect is important: The Smith, Gorman, van Dillen Team had sharpened its skill, they had gone through the deathmarch at Bukarest in 1972, and had beaten some very strong teams in 1973. I think, that Ashe didn't want to join that stabile Champions Team in 1973, and Connors was always a disturbing maverick in team events.
By the way, in the Aetna World Cup, all the best Yankees and Aussies played a Team Event between 1970 and 1975, consisting of singles and double, and in each year, the Aussies prevailed. They excelled in Team events.
