Which era of top players ranks the highest?!

[JAY1]

The following 7 groups of top players cover the last 45 years of mens tennis.

Which groups were the best, most talented and most entertaining?!

Group (A) Laver, Newcombe, Rosewall & Ashe
Group (B) Connors, Borg, Vilas, & Nastase
Group (C) Mcenroe, Borg, Connors & Lendl
Group (D) Becker, Wilander, Edberg & Lendl
Group (E) Sampras, Agassi, Courier & Chang
Group (F) Hewitt, Kuerten, Rafter, Kafenlikov
Group (G) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray

 

[Nadal_Power]

Golden era of group C.. just like Group C in Motorsport

 

[Iron Man]

Group (C) Mcenroe, Borg, Connors & Lendl

Group (D) Becker, Wilander, Edberg & Lendl

Group (G) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray

I choose these ones , they're equally talented and entertaining

 

[FEDERERNADAL13]

Group F ftw

I like out current crop TBH, but I was born in '95, so I'm not the best judge

 

[kiki]

Golden era of group C.. just like Group C in Motorsport

True from 1968... but even better the 1960´s at the Pros with Hoad/Laver/Rosewall/Gonzales...

 

[Nadal_Power]

True from 1968... but even better the 1960´s at the Pros with Hoad/Laver/Rosewall/Gonzales...

No doubt.. but for Open era this giants are best we ever had

And in some untied Tour, like today, 1960's probably would bring most great tennis players in one era..

 

[kiki]

No doubt.. but for Open era this giants are best we ever had

And in some untied Tour, like today, 1960's probably would bring most great tennis players in one era..

Right.I just saw little from Hoad and Gonzales, but those two are the 1950´s top players.And if you add Laver and Rosewall at their prime ( whom I had the fortune to watch live)...it´s just the Fab 4.

 

[kiki]

Group (C) Mcenroe, Borg, Connors & Lendl

Group (D) Becker, Wilander, Edberg & Lendl

Group (G) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray

I choose these ones , they're equally talented and entertaining

Look at early 70´s: Newcombe,Ashe,Nastase,Kodes,Smith,Laver,Rosewall, plus Roche,Gimeno and Okker...this is probably the greatest top 10 ever.

But I agree Borg/lendl/Connors/Mac are the guys that everybody associates with the climax of the Golden Era of tennis, that staretd with Laver and ended with Sampras...

 

[Benhur]

I like group C as well, but one major problem I see with it is that it seems to be more wishful than real, because there is very little overlap between Borg and Lendl. Just the year 1981, since prior to that Lendl wasn't very relevant, certainly not anywhere near the same league as the other three. The way I see it, Borg and Lendl are not really from the same period. If you allow short overlaps like that, then you might also allow the overlap between Gonzalez, Hoad, Rosewall and Laver (I imagine there was some kind of overlap with those four as well).

 

[kiki]

I like group C as well, but one major problem I see with it is that it seems to be more wishful than real, because there is very little overlap between Borg and Lendl. Just the year 1981, since prior to that Lendl wasn't very relevant, certainly not anywhere near the same league as the other three. The way I see it, Borg and Lendl are not really from the same period. If you allow short overlaps like that, then you might also allow the overlap between Gonzalez, Hoad, Rosewall and Laver (I imagine there was some kind of overlap with those four as well).

I agree.In any case, at a given moment, say 1963 or 1981, those were absolute peaks.

 

[elpolaco84]

inbetween B and C

 

[robow7]

As far as entertaining, tough to beat group C but I can't say for sure taht they were more talented far and away than others.

 

[pc1]

Honestly no one can ever really know but we all have our opinions. Depends on what we define as the highest level.

As far as entertaining, tough to beat group C but I can't say for sure taht they were more talented far and away than others.

I may agree with you on entertainment value at least for myself. Group A is fun if nothing else to be see Laver and Rosewall battle it out.

 

[Xavier G]

I would have loved to have seen Laver and Rosewall at their best. I can't imagine they were more entertaining than Mac and Jimmy though! Group C wins for the entertainment, the rivalries, the way the game grew at that time with television and media exposure. C ie better than B. Group A would be second.
I lost interest in the 90's with the Sampras and Agassi era, but I like the present era, Federer is a genius, Nadal is a little reminiscent of Connors and Djokovic and Murray have skills. This is the most interesting to me since Becker/Wilander/Edberg, Lendl.

 

[pc1]

I would have loved to have seen Laver and Rosewall at their best. I can't imagine they were more entertaining than Mac and Jimmy though! Group C wins for the entertainment, the rivalries, the way the game grew at that time with television and media exposure. C ie better than B. Group A would be second.
I lost interest in the 90's with the Sampras and Agassi era, but I like the present era, Federer is a genius, Nadal is a little reminiscent of Connors and Djokovic and Murray have skills. This is the most interesting to me since Becker/Wilander/Edberg, Lendl.

I do enjoy the current era a lot. Lots of great ball strikers with excellent mobility. The rallies are fun to watch. Only complaint I have is from an enjoyment point of view is I wish some of them could change their styles when they are losing. I don't much variety from some of them but that's a minor complaint.

 

[kiki]

In quality terms, the mid 60´s in the pros (Hoad/Gonzales/Rosewall/Laver) wins it all.

1980 cast of Borg/Connors/JMac/Lendl not only had amazing quality but also made tennis reach its peakest peak.Don´t forget that just behind them there were the names of Vilas,Tanner,Gerulaitis,Kriek,Clerc,Noah.Mayer and Pecci.

I´d add early 90´s, with Agassi/Sampras/Edberg/Becker leading a cast that also included Bruguera,Muster,Chang,Courier,Ivanisevic,Krajicek,Stich and Kafelnikov.Rafter would come next.

 

[kiki]

...but, if one looks at the top ten, to me, the best in open era tennis are 1993 ,1985, 1981,1977 and 1971.In 1971, we had what I believe to be the greatest top 10 ever:

Newcombe
Rosewall
Laver
Ashe
Smith
Nastase
Kodes
Roche
Gimeno
Okker

and second stringers like Pilic,Franulovic,Lutz,Gorman,Hewitt,Taylor,Drysdales,Jauffret,Orantes,Alexander,Richey,Marty Riessen,Dennis Ralston, Emerson,Stolle and a few others, with sensational diversity and shotmaking talent.

 

[Capt. Willie]

Tough call for me between B and C. The Golden Age of tennis as far as I'm concerned coincided with Jimmy Conners career. I'm not at all claiming he was the best player (before I'm accused of that) but he ushered it in when he defeated Ken Rosewall at Wimbledon in 1974 and it ended with his exit at the 1991 US Open. Despite what the youngsters here believe, tennis hasn't been the same since.

 

[JAY1]

Tough call for me between B and C. The Golden Age of tennis as far as I'm concerned coincided with Jimmy Conners career. I'm not at all claiming he was the best player (before I'm accused of that) but he ushered it in when he defeated Ken Rosewall at Wimbledon in 1974 and it ended with his exit at the 1991 US Open. Despite what the youngsters here believe, tennis hasn't been the same since.

Absolutely spot on!
There was a golden period of 18 years, starting with Connors Australian open win in 1974 and culminating with Connors run to the semi final of the 1991 US open.
As Capt Willie says, Connors was not the best player in this 18 years period, except for a few odd years 74, 76, 82, 83?, but without a doubt was the most important player of this 18 years, if not ever!

 

[BobFL]

Imo, tennis players are better than ever hence (G) would be my choice. And the field is deeper than ever also.

 

[Xavier G]

I do enjoy the current era a lot. Lots of great ball strikers with excellent mobility. The rallies are fun to watch. Only complaint I have is from an enjoyment point of view is I wish some of them could change their styles when they are losing. I don't much variety from some of them but that's a minor complaint.

I essentially agree. I like the present scene a lot, but I think there was more variety back in Group C's days with the players' playing styles , different surfaces, court specialists etc. We have Hawkeye now though. The court officials could have done with that back in 81, 82!

 

[TMF]

The following 7 groups of top players cover the last 45 years of mens tennis.

Which groups were the best, most talented and most entertaining?!

Group (A) Laver, Newcombe, Rosewall & Ashe
Group (B) Connors, Borg, Vilas, & Nastase
Group (C) Mcenroe, Borg, Connors & Lendl
Group (D) Becker, Wilander, Edberg & Lendl
Group (E) Sampras, Agassi, Courier & Chang
Group (F) Hewitt, Kuerten, Rafter, Kafenlikov
Group (G) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray

I say group G, despite those 4 players are from 1998-present, or only 14 years. However group C have players that stretch from 1973-1994, or 21 years. These comparison is a flaw. You might want to throw in Sampras and Agassi into group G.

 

[pc1]

I say group G, despite those 4 players are from 1998-present, or only 14 years. However group C have players that stretch from 1973-1994, or 21 years. These comparison is a flaw. You might want to throw in Sampras and Agassi into group G.

It's not really flawed, I think he just wanted to see what rivalries worked best. Now I know you enjoy this era the best but are there any particular ones in the previous eras that you would think would be interesting?

 

[kiki]

what about Tilden and the 3 Mousketeers? fascinating national and international rivalries, as they come...

 

[urban]

I still find, that 3 eras stand out as particulary strong, with 6 or more top contenders: the mid 30s, with Vines, Perry, Budge, Crawford, von Cramm, Tilden, Nuesslein. Problem was the am pro split, so these rivalries couldn't evolve on one circuit. The late 50s on the pro tour, with Gonzalez, Sedgman, Hoad, Rosewall, Segura, Trabert all in good shape. And the period round 1970, with old pros facing a new generation of players: Laver, Rosewall, Emerson, Gimeno, Newcombe, Roche, Ashe, Smith, Nastase. Every one of those matchups, in all thinkable combinations, generated actually genuin great matches.

 

[kiki]

I still find, that 3 eras stand out as particulary strong, with 6 or more top contenders: the mid 30s, with Vines, Perry, Budge, Crawford, von Cramm, Tilden, Nuesslein. Problem was the am pro split, so these rivalries couldn't evolve on one circuit. The late 50s on the pro tour, with Gonzalez, Sedgman, Hoad, Rosewall, Segura, Trabert all in good shape. And the period round 1970, with old pros facing a new generation of players: Laver, Rosewall, Emerson, Gimeno, Newcombe, Roche, Ashe, Smith, Nastase. Every one of those matchups, in all thinkable combinations, generated actually genuin great matches.

I agree.Say 1935, 1959 and 1971.Kodes,Okker were also challengers for big titles in the early 70´s.

Then you have 1980/81 witht he Borg/Connors/Mc/Lendl group followed by champions like Tanner,Kriek,Gerulaitis,Vilas and some appealing players such as Clerc,Mayer,Noah and Victor Pecci.

 

[Limpinhitter]

The following 7 groups of top players cover the last 45 years of mens tennis.

Which groups were the best, most talented and most entertaining?!

Group (A) Laver, Newcombe, Rosewall & Ashe
Group (B) Connors, Borg, Vilas, & Nastase
Group (C) Mcenroe, Borg, Connors & Lendl
Group (D) Becker, Wilander, Edberg & Lendl
Group (E) Sampras, Agassi, Courier & Chang
Group (F) Hewitt, Kuerten, Rafter, Kafenlikov
Group (G) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray

Group (A+) Gonzales, Hoad, Rosewall & Laver

 

[kiki]

Group (A+) Gonzales, Hoad, Rosewall & Laver

Good one¡¡¡ I agree.The fab 4 played when the Fab 4 started their own legend at Liverpool...

 

[kiki]

I think most seasoned posters will agree the true Golden Era is bordered by an aussie, Laver, in 1968 and an american,sampras, 25 years later.In the very midle of that, 1980/81, it peaked with Borg/Mc Enroe/Connors/Lendl putting tennis at a peak never reached.I don´t think that Big Four was better than that of the 60´s or that of the 90´s, but it certainly reached the all time high in public imagination.

 

[kiki]

Laver, the aussie, staretd the GE with his all round court greatness.Borg, the european, simbolized the hard hitting, top spin baseline game...and Sampras, the american, returned with his mastership the S&V game to former greatness.A circle of 25 years that many of us call The Golden Era

 

[JAY1]

I think most seasoned posters will agree the true Golden Era is bordered by an aussie, Laver, in 1968 and an american,sampras, 25 years later.In the very midle of that, 1980/81, it peaked with Borg/Mc Enroe/Connors/Lendl putting tennis at a peak never reached.I don´t think that Big Four was better than that of the 60´s or that of the 90´s, but it certainly reached the all time high in public imagination.

You know your tennis KiKi! I could'nt agree more.

 

[kiki]

For Ladies, I´d take 1974 ( with the emergence of Evert and the consolidation of King,Court,Cawley,Wade) to 1999 (last moments of Graf and Seles,Hingis,Kournikova,Sanchez,Martinez,Davenport,young Venus,Mauresmo,young Clijsters,Capriati,Novotna)

The middle year would be 1986/87, when Evert,Navratilova and Mandlikova dominated but Graf and Sabatini had made their marks already on the tour.

 

[kiki]

You know your tennis KiKi! I could'nt agree more.

Thank you.What I like most about tennis from 1970 to 1995 is the variety of stroke production at the top level.Of course, courts were much more different than today, specialisation was a kew word and the poly and current rackets have nothing to see with the wood or early graphite/fiber.

In the early 70´s, even if there were great baseline artist like Rosewall,Nastase and Kodes, S&V was the predominant style with Laver,Newcombe,Ashe,Smith or Roche leading the rankings.

In the early 80´s, you had a mixture of the climbing baseline deffensive game (Borg,Vilas,Clerc), the offensive baseliners (Lendl,Connors, Mayer somehow), pure S&V guys (Tanner,Pecci,Noah) and all court players (Mac,Gerulaitis,Kriek)

That would continue all through the 80´s, with the arrival of guys like Curren, Cash,Becker,Edberg,Mecir,Gomez and Wilander, to name a few ones.

1990´s returned to the preeminence of the S&V game with Sampras, still strong Edberg and Becker,Krajicek,rafter,Stich,Goran with a minority of strong baseliners like Courier,Agassi,Bruguera,Muster,Kafelnikov,Chang...

I may be wrong, because I didn´t see pre open tennis, but I firmly believe that the diversity of the 1970´s, 1980´s and early to mid 1990´s might never be equalled ( unfortunately)

 

[Dan Lobb]

Thank you.What I like most about tennis from 1970 to 1995 is the variety of stroke production at the top level.Of course, courts were much more different than today, specialisation was a kew word and the poly and current rackets have nothing to see with the wood or early graphite/fiber.

In the early 70´s, even if there were great baseline artist like Rosewall,Nastase and Kodes, S&V was the predominant style with Laver,Newcombe,Ashe,Smith or Roche leading the rankings.

In the early 80´s, you had a mixture of the climbing baseline deffensive game (Borg,Vilas,Clerc), the offensive baseliners (Lendl,Connors, Mayer somehow), pure S&V guys (Tanner,Pecci,Noah) and all court players (Mac,Gerulaitis,Kriek)

That would continue all through the 80´s, with the arrival of guys like Curren, Cash,Becker,Edberg,Mecir,Gomez and Wilander, to name a few ones.

1990´s returned to the preeminence of the S&V game with Sampras, still strong Edberg and Becker,Krajicek,rafter,Stich,Goran with a minority of strong baseliners like Courier,Agassi,Bruguera,Muster,Kafelnikov,Chang...

I may be wrong, because I didn´t see pre open tennis, but I firmly believe that the diversity of the 1970´s, 1980´s and early to mid 1990´s might never be equalled ( unfortunately)

The greatest era would be the late 1950's in the pro game, beginning with Hoad's signing after the 1957 Wimbledon, and ending with the January 1960 Kooyong pro (this was actually the last event of the 1959 season). After this, Hoad refused to play the American championship tour, and Gonzales withdrew from tournament play, and there was insufficient play to determine a world champion for three years. Laver's turning pro in 1963 did not infuse new life into the pro game, and the pros stopped appearing in major venues until Open tennis arrived in 1968 (the 1967 Wimbledon Pro was arranged after the All-England Club had authorized open play for 1968).
In the extended 1959 season, there were eight full-time pros (plus Mervyn Rose and Rex Hartwig) who played a full schedule of tournaments world-wide, with each player winning at least one important event (Hoad won six tournaments (including Forest Hills and Kooyong 1960), Gonzales five, Rosewall two, Sedgman two (Kooyong 1959, Grand Prix de Europe), Trabert won at Roland Garros (with Hoad beating Rosewall for third place there), Cooper won the Slazenger in Britain, Anderson won Wembley, Segura won Tel Aviv). In addition, Gonzales edged out victory in the American championship tour, despite dropping his series with Hoad 15 to 13 (and splitting his sixteen tournament matches with Hoad at 8 to 8, for a 23 to 21 edge for Hoad on the year.)
This was the most complete year in pro tennis ever.

 

[kiki]

The greatest era would be the late 1950's in the pro game, beginning with Hoad's signing after the 1957 Wimbledon, and ending with the January 1960 Kooyong pro (this was actually the last event of the 1959 season). After this, Hoad refused to play the American championship tour, and Gonzales withdrew from tournament play, and there was insufficient play to determine a world champion for three years. Laver's turning pro in 1963 did not infuse new life into the pro game, and the pros stopped appearing in major venues until Open tennis arrived in 1968 (the 1967 Wimbledon Pro was arranged after the All-England Club had authorized open play for 1968).
In the extended 1959 season, there were eight full-time pros (plus Mervyn Rose and Rex Hartwig) who played a full schedule of tournaments world-wide, with each player winning at least one important event (Hoad won six tournaments (including Forest Hills and Kooyong 1960), Gonzales five, Rosewall two, Sedgman two (Kooyong 1959, Grand Prix de Europe), Trabert won at Roland Garros (with Hoad beating Rosewall for third place there), Cooper won the Slazenger in Britain, Anderson won Wembley, Segura won Tel Aviv). In addition, Gonzales edged out victory in the American championship tour, despite dropping his series with Hoad 15 to 13 (and splitting his sixteen tournament matches with Hoad at 8 to 8, for a 23 to 21 edge for Hoad on the year.)
This was the most complete year in pro tennis ever.

If we consider more than 4 players, then I agree that 1959 has to be rated among the best ever.Since the inception of open tennis, I´d pick:

1971 (Ashe,Laver,Newcombe,Roche,Rosewall,Kodes,Nastase,Smith,Okker,Gimeno making what is definitley the best top 10 ever)

1975
(Borg,Connors,Newcombe,Laver,Rosewall,Ashe,Vilas,Orantes,Panatta and Ramorez or Dibbs )

1979
(Borg,Connors,Mc Enroe,Gerulaitis,Vilas,Tanner,Pecci,Solomon,Higueras and Dibbs)

1981
(Borg,Mc Enroe,Lendl,Connors,Gerulaitis,Clerc,Vilas,Tanner,Kriek and Mayer9

1985
(Mc Enroe,Lendl,Connors,Wilander,Becker,Edberg,Noah,Cash,Gomez,Mecir/Kriek/Curren)

1994
(Sampas,Agassi,Edberg,Courier,Becker,Chang,Ivanisevic,Bruguera,Krajickek and Stich)

 

[hoodjem]

True from 1968... but even better the 1960´s at the Pros with Hoad/Laver/Rosewall/Gonzales...

I have a serious non-rhetorical question: how much were Hoad and Gonzales still playing after Laver turned pro in 1963?

I see their names occasionally in a tournament here or there, but were they full-time on the pro tour?

 

[kiki]

I have a serious non-rhetorical question: how much were Hoad and Gonzales still playing after Laver turned pro in 1963?

I see their names occasionally in a tournament here or there, but were they full-time on the pro tour?

I should check.Gonzales played till 1970 or 1971, but he didn´t play full schedule.As far as 1969, tough, he was a regular schedule player, he played Laver at Wimbledon, played the SA Open, in 1968 he reached the FO sf, played certainly at Wimbledon and at the first US Open.He was a top tenner as far as 1968/69.beat laver at the New York Indoors, considered one of the most lucrative event and also scores wins over youngsters Connors and Borg while settling up at las Vegas.

Now, Hoad, due to injuries came and left, came and left continuously.I think Hoad was the only real top guy Laver didn´t face during his 1969 GS

 

[kiki]

HERE IS THE WAY TO RATE ERAS:

We have 4 classes among players

1/Champions
2/Upper Class Journeymen
3/Middle Class Journeymen
4/Lower Class Journeymen

Ratio A: Champions/Journeymen
Ratio B: Champions+Uper class Journeymen/rest of Journeymen

Today, we got:

3 champions
Upper Class: From Murray to nº 30

Middle Class: from 30 to 100

Lower class: from 100

Compare it to 1970´s-1980´s with 8-10 minimum champions at any given moment and an upper class of great quality that extended to nº50...and make your maths work

 

[urban]

Gonzalez played full schedule in the pros, after his semi-retirement in 1962/63, in the years 1964, in 1965 (when he had his best year of the 60s, regularly beating Rosewall, and playing Laver in the finals, and in 1967. In 1966, he played circa half of the schedule. In open tennis he played full schedule for the NTL in 1968, 69 and 70. Hoad played full schedule in 1963 (not the US world series in spring), 1964, and half in 1965. Then toe and back injuries prevented him from playing full schedule.

 

[kiki]

HERE IS THE WAY TO RATE ERAS:

We have 4 classes among players

1/Champions
2/Upper Class Journeymen
3/Middle Class Journeymen
4/Lower Class Journeymen

Ratio A: Champions/Totals
Ratio B: Champions+Uper class Journeymen/rest of Journeymen

Today, we got:

3 champions
Upper Class: From Murray to nº 30

Middle Class: from 30 to 100

Lower class: from 100

Compare it to 1970´s-1980´s with 8-10 minimum champions at any given moment and an upper class of great quality that extended to nº50...and make your maths work

 

[hoodjem]

I should check.Gonzales played till 1970 or 1971, but he didn´t play full schedule.As far as 1969, tough, he was a regular schedule player, he played Laver at Wimbledon, played the SA Open, in 1968 he reached the FO sf, played certainly at Wimbledon and at the first US Open.He was a top tenner as far as 1968/69.beat laver at the New York Indoors, considered one of the most lucrative event and also scores wins over youngsters Connors and Borg while settling up at las Vegas.

Now, Hoad, due to injuries came and left, came and left continuously.I think Hoad was the only real top guy Laver didn´t face during his 1969 GS

Gonzalez played full schedule in the pros, after his semi-retirement in 1962/63, in the years 1964, in 1965 (when he had his best year of the 60s, regularly beating Rosewall, and playing Laver in the finals, and in 1967. In 1966, he played circa half of the schedule. In open tennis he played full schedule for the NTL in 1968, 69 and 70. Hoad played full schedule in 1963 (not the US world series in spring), 1964, and half in 1965. Then toe and back injuries prevented him from playing full schedule.

OK, thanks.

 

[kiki]

Lewis Hoad settled in a ranch in the south of Spain, where he felt like at home.I think, his wife was spanish, too.He was a guy that spanish people of the time would like him so much.I remember he coached the spaanish national team in the DC against...Australia, during the 1967 DC finals at Sidney (Australians won, as expected, 4-1)

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

The following 7 groups of top players cover the last 45 years of mens tennis.

Which groups were the best, most talented and most entertaining?!

Group (A) Laver, Newcombe, Rosewall & Ashe
Group (B) Connors, Borg, Vilas, & Nastase
Group (C) Mcenroe, Borg, Connors & Lendl
Group (D) Becker, Wilander, Edberg & Lendl
Group (E) Sampras, Agassi, Courier & Chang
Group (F) Hewitt, Kuerten, Rafter, Kafenlikov
Group (G) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray

Talent: C ... A/G

Best: G ... A/C

Entertaining: D ... C

 

[kiki]

Tilden,Vines,Perry,Budge

Kramer,Gonzales,Sedgman,Segura

Hoad,Laver,Rosewall,Gonzales

If I had to choose a quarter to see them play for the last 3 days of my life, I´d pick Hoad/Gonzales/Laver/Rosewall.

From 1970´s on I´ve seen them all but I think this would be the absolute GOATDOM Quartet.

 

[Dan Lobb]

I have a serious non-rhetorical question: how much were Hoad and Gonzales still playing after Laver turned pro in 1963?

I see their names occasionally in a tournament here or there, but were they full-time on the pro tour?

They were both part-time in 1960, 1961, and there was no tour in 1962.
Hoad and Rosewall played 13-match tours against Laver in early 1963, the most important matches at Kooyong were televised, with Hoad winning several five-set matches in a 13 to 0 skunking of Laver (Rosewall won 11 to 2, but lost the big match at Kooyong).
After that series, Hoad skipped a few months and returned to play at a lower level.
In 1964, Hoad started the season by winning a four-man tour against Laver, Rosewall, and Anderson (beating the second-place Laver 3 matches to 1), but played rather poorly the rest of the year. Early the next year, he lost a big toe to surgery, and his play was affected by a foot injury (perhaps for some months before this). His mobility and standard of play were reduced after this.