Jaros Drobny: the forgotten legend

[kiki]

This czech born, UK naturalised player was one of the big names of the 1940´s and early 50´s in the amateur field.He had the word " legend " written all over his skin."

-.Like other eastern bloc sportsmen ( Hungarian footballers Puskas and Kubala come inmediately to mind) he lived a long story of rushes and escapings from Stalinism until the UK gave him a passport

-.His 1954 win over Ken Rosewall may have arguably been the most popular of all time.England was very, very happy as the whole country loved Jaroslav.He had also said before the final, it was his last chance at the Wimbledon Tournament as he had already been beaten in a final.

-.His drop shots ( he was also a lefty with a very good serve and touch from the backcourt) remain legendary, and some old journalists still believe them to be the finest they have seen all throughout the years.Those shots gave him two titles at Roland Garros.

Guys like him ( and his close friend and doubs mate, the " poet" Budge Patty, a Wimbledon and RG champion himself ) made tennis great, fun and rich and honours must be fully restored.

 

[RacquetAbuse101]

Drobny also won an Olympic Silver Medal and two World Championships. In
ice-hockey! Quite an athlete...

 

[Dan L]

This czech born, UK naturalised player was one of the big names of the 1940´s and early 50´s in the amateur field.He had the word " legend " written all over his skin."

-.Like other eastern bloc sportsmen ( Hungarian footballers Puskas and Kubala come inmediately to mind) he lived a long story of rushes and escapings from Stalinism until the UK gave him a passport

-.His 1954 win over Ken Rosewall may have arguably been the most popular of all time.England was very, very happy as the whole country loved Jaroslav.He had also said before the final, it was his last chance at the Wimbledon Tournament as he had already been beaten in a final.

-.His drop shots ( he was also a lefty with a very good serve and touch from the backcourt) remain legendary, and some old journalists still believe them to be the finest they have seen all throughout the years.Those shots gave him two titles at Roland Garros.

Guys like him ( and his close friend and doubs mate, the " poet" Budge Patty, a Wimbledon and RG champion himself ) made tennis great, fun and rich and honours must be fully restored.

Drobny defeated Kramer at Wimbledon in 1946 in a great match, and was twice runner up at Wimbledon, 1949 and 1952.
He defeated Laver in straight sets at Centre Court Wimbledon in 1958.

 

[kiki]

Drobny also won an Olympic Silver Medal and two World Championships. In
ice-hockey! Quite an athlete...

Yep, thanks.Forgot to mention it.

He was the only player to use glasses until Ashe did in the late 60´s¡¡¡ that was shocking

 

[kiki]

Drobny defeated Kramer at Wimbledon in 1946 in a great match, and was twice runner up at Wimbledon, 1949 and 1952.
He defeated Laver in straight sets at Centre Court Wimbledon in 1958.

Good additions.That shows he could beat the very best of all.I guess he lost to Sedgman, right? it was 1952; Frank´s glory season.

BTW,did he and Hoad play against each other?.If he met Rosewall, most likely he also met Rosewall´s " twin"

 

[timnz]

The most clay court tournament wins

Drobny won the most clay court tournaments in history (even more than Wilding, Vilas and Nadal). At least 93 trophies (probably over 100 actually). See here - everywhere it says Tb 'Terre battue' it means clay:

http://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaroslav_Drobný

Incredible time period range as well. He started winning clay court tournaments in 1938 and won his last won in 1965! 27 years apart!

He won 140 titles on all surfaces. A massive total!

 

[timnz]

Good additions.That shows he could beat the very best of all.I guess he lost to Sedgman, right? it was 1952; Frank´s glory season.

BTW,did he and Hoad play against each other?.If he met Rosewall, most likely he also met Rosewall´s " twin"

He played Hoad, he even played Laver!

See here

http://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaroslav_Drobný

Search for Hoad and you will see 4 match results. (This was just their matches in finals. They probably had others)

 

[kiki]

He played Hoad, he even played Laver!

See here

http://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaroslav_Drobný

Search for Hoad and you will see 4 match results. (This was just their matches in finals. They probably had others)

Thanks Timinz, good contribution to his memory

 

[Idzznew]

Drobny

http://www.tennisarchives.com/beheer/coureurw.php?coureurid=2192

 

[Dan L]

Good additions.That shows he could beat the very best of all.I guess he lost to Sedgman, right? it was 1952; Frank´s glory season.

BTW,did he and Hoad play against each other?.If he met Rosewall, most likely he also met Rosewall´s " twin"

Drobny defeated both Hoad and Rosewall to win the 1953 Italian title.
He defeated both Hoad and Rosewall to win the 1954 Wimbledon.

 

[kiki]

Drobny defeated both Hoad and Rosewall to win the 1953 Italian title.
He defeated both Hoad and Rosewall to win the 1954 Wimbledon.

well, with that I have no doubts he is an all top 25-30 great

 

[Dan L]

well, with that I have no doubts he is an all top 25-30 great

Kramer seemed to have trouble with this left-hander....Drobny defeated Kramer at Wimbledon in 1946 in a marathon classic, and the following year at Forest Hills had a substantial lead when darkness halted the match...the following day, Drobny could not find his form, and Kramer took control.

 

[kiki]

Those glasses, when not clean, must have been a big handicap for him...

 

[timnz]

well, with that I have no doubts he is an all top 25-30 great

With 140 titles (93+ on clay) he would have to be at least in the top 30 all time.