What were rosewall's favorite surface?
- Thread starter Rogerer
- Start date
sandy mayer
Semi-Pro
One of Rosewall's many strengths is he was great on all surfaces.
King_olaf_the_hairy
Semi-Pro
I would imagine that grass is his "favourite" simply because that's what he'll have grown up and learned his craft on Down Under. The other Hopman Aussies of the '50s and '60s were all serve-volleyers; Sedgman, Hoad, Laver, Emerson, Newcombe et al were at their best on the green stuff, although they could adapt to slower conditions. I'd say Rosewall was better than all of them on la terre battue, but he was still never a clay specialist, just a terrific all-rounder.
Consider this: for most of its history the French Professional Championships were held at Roland-Garros in late June, a month after the amateur event which eventually became the French Open. On those same red clay courts that Nadal and Borg later dominated, Rosewall won the French Pro in 1960, '61, and '62. The authorities then switched venue to Paris's Stade Pierre de Coubertin, and thereafter the tournament was played on indoor wood, the fastest surface of all. 'Muscles' continued to dominate, beating Laver each time for four more titles from '63 to '66, and seven consecutively altogether.
Consider this: for most of its history the French Professional Championships were held at Roland-Garros in late June, a month after the amateur event which eventually became the French Open. On those same red clay courts that Nadal and Borg later dominated, Rosewall won the French Pro in 1960, '61, and '62. The authorities then switched venue to Paris's Stade Pierre de Coubertin, and thereafter the tournament was played on indoor wood, the fastest surface of all. 'Muscles' continued to dominate, beating Laver each time for four more titles from '63 to '66, and seven consecutively altogether.
I think he preferred playing on grass. Throughout his career he won: 8 majors on grass, 6 on clay, 9 on indoor wood. He probably would have won another 2 or 4 on clay had the French Pro not moved from RG to a very fast indoor surface in 63. His most successful country was France, having won 8 French Pro titles, I amateur and 1 open era French titles.
He also won the French Pro at RG in 58 beating Gonzalez in the semi's and Hoad in the final.
Dedans Penthouse
Legend
. . . "Muscles"
flanker2000fr
Hall of Fame
He was a great all court player, but having learnt his tennis predominantly on grass, I guess it would have been the most natural for him. Also, having limited natural power, but great ball placement, a fantastic slice and great net play, grass was probably his best surface.
Hoad beat Gonzales in the semis, Thrust.
Oops! Ken though, did beat Pancho in a French pro semi and the 61 final
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
A great question.
He did win two French championships on clay, but no Wimbledon titles on grass.
So on the surface one might be tempted to say clay.
(The irony of his career is that he was in four Wimbledon finals but never won. But he did win four Australian titles and two US championships--all on grass.)
He was a great all-surface player.
He did win two French championships on clay, but no Wimbledon titles on grass.
So on the surface one might be tempted to say clay.
(The irony of his career is that he was in four Wimbledon finals but never won. But he did win four Australian titles and two US championships--all on grass.)
He was a great all-surface player.
Ken had serious allergy problems which tended to affect him more at Wimbledon because of the heavy foliage there. Margret Court had a similar problem, so I read. I also read that Ken had a serious skin irritation problem which was very annoying at times. Also, as you probably know, Ken misses 11 of his prime years playing slams while on the pro tour.
Yes, but Ken's supporters made up for that by assigning a huge number of Pro Slams to his resume, titles in which the amateur stars were excluded.
Which semi? Not on clay, I presume.
Correct! It was the indoor 64 semi's which was a 5 set match. The next day Ken beat Laver in the final.
Those allergy problems probably cost Ken the 1970 Wimbledon title.
AceyMan
Professional
Jeebus,
What was the top finish on these courts like?
When I was in uni we had two courts in the center of the sports field house which was a general purpose rubber for volleyball, badminton, etc. Tennis shoes of the day had good traction but the felt had no bite at all. The *entire court* was about fifty percent faster than hitting a wet line on a modern hardcourt. (Rallies were not long, let's just say.)
I was playing 5.0 tennis then, but I can't even imagine 7.0 (pro) tennis on anything near as fast, which indoor hardwood certainly sounds like it would be.
skaj
Legend
The best slice backhand that I have seen. (For the best backhand overall I would choose Nalbandian, or Henin for the one-hander.)
As for the surface, I think he was good on all surfaces. A crafty all-court player with great hands and superb footwork.
