Pancho Gonzalez: The Way Up

U.S. Champion again in 1949 with a last laugh over Ted Schroeder.

It took a record – breaking thirty – four games for Ted Schroeder to beat Richard Gonzalez in the first set of the 1949 U.S. Championships. Yet Gonzalez was not about to give up.

As the match wore on, he battled for every point. The crowd sensed his determination. Many found their admiration for him growing with every grueling point he won.

By the fifth and final set, spectators were cheering for Gonzalez. They were impressed with his lightning serve and powerful shots. More than anything, though, they were awed by his resolve to win.

It had been three hours since the contest began, and every point had been hard – won. Finally, Gonzalez had broken Schroeder’s serve, and Schroeder seemed to be weakening as Gonzalez continued his attack.

Gonzalez reached match point, and the crowd sat riveted by the action. Schroeder hit a drive down the sideline that Gonzalez did not return. Time stood still while everyone awaited the linesman’s call. When he signaled out – of – bounds, the crowd went wild! Richard Gonzalez was the 1949 United States tennis champion.

Allison Danzig reported in the…