Richard Gonzalez and Rod Laver

After defeating Charlie Pasarell, Gonzalez lost in the round of 16 to Arthur

After his amazing 2-day, five set win over Charlie Pasarell, the 41 year old Richard Gonzalez advanced in the tournament until he lost to Arthur Ashe in the fourth round of action. Rod Laver won the tournament.

Laver’s win was as remarkable as Gonzalez’s victory over Pasarell. It was Laver’s second win in a row at Wimbledon, and Laver was on his way to becoming the first player ever to win the Grand Slam twice.

His first Grand Slam had been in 1962. By winning Wimbledon in 1969, he had three of the four victories necessary to do it again.

But Laver’s amazing accomplishment at Wimbledon in 1969 was overshadowed in many news reports by Gonzalez’s victory over Pasarell. Laver was not surprised.

He commented, “That’s Pancho for you, always stealing the show.” Even today when play at Wimbledon is stopped due to rain, audiences are often entertained by a broadcast of the Gonzalez-Pasarell match.

Laver completed his second Grand Slam by beating Tony Roche in the 1969 U.S. final at Forest Hills. No other player has ever won two Grand Slams. As a result, many consider…