Ken Rosewall

A career that would have made ‘Father Time’ proud. A career that spanned the peak of the amateur and the Open Era in Tennis. He had great success in both those eras. He modified his style according to the demands of that time. Predominantly a backcourt player, he transformed himself into a serve-and-volley player primarily because he wanted to prolong his longevity. His rivalry with Rod Laver was legendary while another rivalry is not so well documented. Rosewall, in that period, never allowed his physical disadvantages to overcome him. He converted those instances into good opportunities. Rosewall’s career is a lesson as to how one needs to change according to the demands of time. The success that he achieved in all the events, across both ends of the eras, is a testament to his brilliance. Rosewall’s name continues to be used as the benchmark for Tennis success in any era.

Born on November 2, 1986, in Sydney, Rosewall started playing Tennis at the age of three. He was a left-handed server and had a right-handed one-hand backhand. His height was five foot seven inches and weighed close to 67 kgs, with many giving him the nickname ‘Muscles’. These were not the ideal attributes for a solid Tennis player but Rosewall overcame them all. He also changed his style. In the Amateur Era, Rosewall was predominantly a backcourt player. But, in the Open Era, he transformed into a serve-and-volley player. 

It is very important to note that Rosewall’s successful career came in the Amateur and Open Era as well. Before 1968, Rosewall was the master in the Professional Major tournaments held throughout the year. The US Pro, Wembley Pro, French Pro, and the Tournament of Champions were the major events held in that period. 

Rosewall won the US Pro twice in 1963 and 1965. But, it was in Wembley and the French Pro tournaments that he had maximum success. His first success came in Wembley in 1957 and he went on to win that tournament four more times in 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963. The French Pro saw Rosewall at the peak of his powers. After winning in 1958, he won seven consecutive titles from 1960 to 1966. The tournament of champions eluded him, with his best result coming in 1958 when he entered the final.

In the Grand Slam events in both the Amateur and Open Eras, Rosewall had great success as well. In 1953, he won the Australian and French Open. In the years 1955 and 1956, he won the Australian and US Open. When the Open Era began in 1968, Rosewall began in grand style. He won the Australian Open in 1971 and 1972. He secured the French Open in 1968 and the US Open in 1970. 

Wimbledon was the only title that eluded him in his entire playing career. He reached the final in 1954, 1956, 1970, and 1974 but he never managed to win. In his rivalry with Laver, he had a negative head-to-head record. As the years wore on, he was beaten by younger stars like Jimmy Connors. But, he had cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in Tennis. 

Grand Slam records

Australian Open: W (1953, 1956, 1971, 1972)

French Open: W (1953, 1968)

Wimbledon: F (1954, 1956, 1970, 1974)

US Open: W (1956, 1970)