43 years have passed since Ken Rosewall played his last Grand Slam final, but his legacy continues to live on.
Now aged 82, he has returned to Wimbledon to watch today’s players fight it out for this year’s title. A lot has changed since Rosewall made his SW19 debut in 1952. For instance the Wimbledon champion will take home a pay cheque of £2.2 million, more than Rosewall ever earned during his entire career that lasted almost 30 years.
The Australian is one of the few players that won grand slam titles both before and during the Open Era with four in each. Over a 26-year period, Rosewall won 26 titles in the Ameteur Era, 64 in the professional and 43 in the Open. One of his greatest rivalries was the one he had with countryman Rod Laver. 11 times they clashed in major finals with Rosewell coming out on top on six occasions. Although one of their most memorable matches occurred in 1972 when Rosewell triumphed at the World Championship Tennis Finals.
“Rod and I played a lot of great matches, it just happened that was a day when anyone could have won that match.” He recounted. “You know, I just lucked out in the end. I think I played better in that whole match than what Rod did.”
Rosewall’s rivalry with Laver remains embedded in the history of tennis. In 2012 Laver, who has won two calendar grand slams, once joked that his opponent ‘pushed him for 20 years’ on the tour. Even today, both men have found memories of their rivalry.
“To win against Rod you had to be playing well.” Stated Rosewall. “You had to kind of understand what might be some kind of a weakness in his game, which was very minimal because he developed his game to such a high extent.”
“I kept the ball in play and made him work hard most of the time.” He added.
Praise for Federer
Currently it is the ‘big four’ that dominates the men’s tour. Between them, they have won 48 grand slam titles since 2003. The most decorated is Roger Federer, who lifted his 18th major title at the start of the year in Australia. Rosewall, who openly describes himself as a ‘Federer fan,’ credits the Swiss player for the development of the men’s game.
“I think Roger has been fantastic for men’s tennis and tennis around the world because of what he has done on the court and also what he has done off it. Probably a lot of other things that nobody knows are all good.”
Like Federer, Rosewall knows what it is like to shine on the tour at a late age. In 1974 he contested the US Open final at the age of 39 years and five months, becoming the oldest finalist in grand slam history. He also won the Australian Open at the age of 37. These records are now under threat from 36-year-old Federer, who has received full backing from the 82-year-old.
“He might be able to if he has the desire.” Rosewall explained. “As long as he is injury free and has the support from his family.”
The full interview with Ken Rosewall can be listened to below.
