kiki
Banned
he seems to be a bit forgotten amids the loas to the players like Nastase,Laver,Rosewall,Newcombe,Ashe who were his main rivals and were certainly loaded with more natural talent.
He never was a super talent but he had one of the best serves of his generation ( and I may say one of the absolute best) and a solid and steady Fh and net game where his reach helped him so much.And his patented BH overhead was something great to see.
One of the last classic S&V champions with 4 major titles won during his three best years ( 1970-1973).Felt a bit for some years due to injuries but how great was to see him back to the top or nearby in 1980 and 1981 when he won a few circuit´s events on fast indoors and gave Mac a great match at Wimbledon.One of the best DC players that I can recall, loyal and a true gentleman.He was the Stefan Edberg of the early 70´s.But unlike Edberg, he supported doubles play for long time and his team with Lutz was one of the best of the open era.
That DC profile, shown specially in the 1972 Final was one of his best memeories.Nobody ever imagined he could beat a team with Nastase and Tiriac in the histerical Bucarest but he did.and even more, he lifted the unknown and unmature Erik Van Dillen during the deciding doubles match that the US won.
Any memories of the " Gentle Blond Giant", the laid back californian fellow that was as well a late blossomer ( he didn´t start playing till 15 and it took him a while to be in the elite group) ?
He never was a super talent but he had one of the best serves of his generation ( and I may say one of the absolute best) and a solid and steady Fh and net game where his reach helped him so much.And his patented BH overhead was something great to see.
One of the last classic S&V champions with 4 major titles won during his three best years ( 1970-1973).Felt a bit for some years due to injuries but how great was to see him back to the top or nearby in 1980 and 1981 when he won a few circuit´s events on fast indoors and gave Mac a great match at Wimbledon.One of the best DC players that I can recall, loyal and a true gentleman.He was the Stefan Edberg of the early 70´s.But unlike Edberg, he supported doubles play for long time and his team with Lutz was one of the best of the open era.
That DC profile, shown specially in the 1972 Final was one of his best memeories.Nobody ever imagined he could beat a team with Nastase and Tiriac in the histerical Bucarest but he did.and even more, he lifted the unknown and unmature Erik Van Dillen during the deciding doubles match that the US won.
Any memories of the " Gentle Blond Giant", the laid back californian fellow that was as well a late blossomer ( he didn´t start playing till 15 and it took him a while to be in the elite group) ?
