Ken Rosewall Backhand

[rwiener]

A while back there was a discussion in this forum on whether there is any video showing Ken Rosewall hitting a topspin backhand. I believe the consensus was there is no such video. Interestingly, while watching a YouTube of the Laver-Rosewall 1972 Dallas Final, I noticed two times in the video in which it looked to me that Rosewall hit a non-slice backhand in which he appeared to come over the ball. Here is the Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNwBZd7Kg2A.

The first time (just past 12:10 minutes) is a passing shot in which it looks like Rosewall's racquet goes from low to high to produce a fairly flat (but non-slice) drive. Of course, there are plenty of Rosewall slice drives in which he finishes with the racquet high, but this shot doesn't look like a slice to me. I'm curious what others think.

The second time (just past 14:40) is after Rosewall runs down a lob and hits a passing shot. It seems unambiguous to me, since the ball clearly follows an arcing path that results from topspin (albeit still not a large loop).

[stotty]

A while back there was a discussion in this forum on whether there is any video showing Ken Rosewall hitting a topspin backhand. I believe the consensus was there is no such video. Interestingly, while watching a YouTube of the Laver-Rosewall 1972 Dallas Final, I noticed two times in the video in which it looked to me that Rosewall hit a non-slice backhand in which he appeared to come over the ball. Here is the Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNwBZd7Kg2A.

The first time (just past 12:10 minutes) is a passing shot in which it looks like Rosewall's racquet goes from low to high to produce a fairly flat (but non-slice) drive. Of course, there are plenty of Rosewall slice drives in which he finishes with the racquet high, but this shot doesn't look like a slice to me. I'm curious what others think.

The second time (just past 14:40) is after Rosewall runs down a lob and hits a passing shot. It seems unambiguous to me, since the ball clearly follows an arcing path that results from topspin (albeit still not a large loop).

Thanks for this wonderful clip of two of the greatest players from the classic era. I would be inclined to think he is hitting over the ball at 14:40. The one at 12:10 is less conclusive as the film is so grainy, but, nevertheless, it looks like he is hitting over the ball.

I did have the privilege of watching Ken knocking up with Fred Stolle many years ago at Wimbledon. Most of the backhands Ken hit that day were flat and I don't recall him hitting any with topspin. His default backhand seemed to be flat and slice, depending. It's tough to hit sliced passing shots so it's likely he hit those flat or, as it appears in the clip, maybe even with a bit of topspin.

Thanks for sharing. What a terrific find!

[don_budge]

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/rod-laver-vs-ken-rosewall/L058/R075

[don_budge]

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/a...wall/L058/R075

A rather fascinating head to head summary of Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall. Interesting that they met so many times in the finals and semifinals. Seemingly dominated by "The Rocket" many of the matches went to three or five sets.

[onielrickler]

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[don_budge]

Thanks for this interesting information!

Great! Here's another fascinating Head to Head with Ken Rosewall. This time none other than Richard Gonzales. Would have LOVED to have seen some of these matches.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/ken-rosewall-vs-richard-pancho%20gonzales/R075/G077

[seano]

I was very fortunate back in the late 80's, I was teaching at Congressional country club when the club hosted the Dow World Seniors for 2 years. Ken Rosewall, as well as all the well-known players of that generation were very nice and personable. Ken was very giving of his time and was very nice to my mother-in-law, who was a huge fan of his. It was a great setting, low key so you were able to spent plenty of time with the players.

Sean

[don_budge]

I was very fortunate back in the late 80's, I was teaching at Congressional country club when the club hosted the Dow World Seniors for 2 years. Ken Rosewall, as well as all the well-known players of that generation were very nice and personable. Ken was very giving of his time and was very nice to my mother-in-law, who was a huge fan of his. It was a great setting, low key so you were able to spent plenty of time with the players.

Sean

Another interesting Kenny Rosewall Head to Head. None other than Arturo Ashe. Somewhat surprising. Before opening the link...guess as to had the upper hand.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/ken-rosewall-vs-arthur-ashe/R075/A063