Laver–Rosewall rivalry

Australian tennis player Rod Laver (born 1938) had a long-running and friendly rivalry with countryman Ken Rosewall (born 1934).[1] In 1956 both players toured in the amateur circuit but never faced each other. Rosewall turned professional in January 1957 and the two players did not meet until January 1963 when Laver turned pro. They played many times until 1977 when both semi-retired from the main tour.[2]

Rod Laver
* World No1
* 19 Major singles
* 200 singles titles
Ken Rosewall
* World No1
* 23 Major singles
* 133 singles titles

Analysis

Including tournaments and one-night stands, they played at least 164 matches with Laver leading 89–75.

Their meetings took place in the span 1963–77. They met in 13 individual years in that span, and in 9 of those 13 Laver had an edge, which can be explained considering that Laver faced an already declining Rosewall: in their first meeting ever, Rosewall was already 28 years of age.[lower-alpha 1]

After their 1969 Roland Garros final, Laver said, "Ken has consistently been my toughest opponent, on any surface, and we've played each other, I don't know, well over 200 times."[3]

Head-to-head tallies

Ken [Rosewall] pushed me around for about 20 years.

Rod Laver, in 2012

The following is a breakdown of their documented head-to-head results:[4]

Player196319641965196619671968196919701971197219731974197519761977Total
Rod Laver 13 17 16 10 8 5 8 5 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 89
Ken Rosewall 38 7 7 8 5 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 75

Results per court surface

  • Grass courts: Laver 18–13
  • Hard courts: Laver 21–13 (18–12 on outdoor hard courts and 3–1 on indoor hard courts)
  • Clay courts: Laver 13–11
  • Indoor courts (carpet, wood, canvas – not including indoor hard courts and clay courts): Rosewall 38–34

List of all matches

Legend:
Rod Laver's wins
Ken Rosewall's wins
No. Winner Win No. Year Date Event Round Surface Score
1 Ken Rosewall1.19636 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – Sydney White City[5]TourGrass6–3, 6–3, 6–4
2 Ken Rosewall2.196312 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – Brisbane MiltonTourGrass3–6, 10–8, 6–2, 6–3
3 Rod Laver1.196319 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – Melbourne[6]TourGrass6–3, 3–6, 7–5, 6–2
4 Ken Rosewall3.196320 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – AlburyTourGrass4–6, 6–3, 6–0
5 Ken Rosewall4.196321 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – Canberra[7]TourClay10–8, 6–3
Rod Laver2.196325 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – AdelaideTourGrass6–1, 6–2, 6–2
Ken Rosewall5.196328 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – AucklandTourGrass6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall6.196329 or 30 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – DunedinTourGrass 10–8, 6–4
Ken Rosewall7.196329 or 30 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – NapierTourWood (i) 6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall8.196331 JanuaryAustralasian Tour – Palmerston NorthTourWood (i)7–9, 6–3, 6–4[lower-alpha 2]
Ken Rosewall9.19631 or 2 FebruaryAustralasian Tour – MastertonTourWood (i)6–2, 6–3
Ken Rosewall10.19631 or 2 FebruaryAustralasian Tour – WellingtonTourGrass6–3, 6–3
Ken Rosewall11.19633 FebruaryAustralasian Tour – HamiltonTourWood (i)6–3, 7–5[lower-alpha 3]
Ken Rosewall12.196310 FebruaryNorth America Tour (group phase) – New YorkTourCanvas (i) *12–10
Ken Rosewall13.196314 FebruaryNorth America Tour (group phase) – College Park (MD)TourCanvas (i) *8–5
Ken Rosewall14.196317 FebruaryNorth America Tour (group phase) – Baltimore (MD)TourCanvas (i) *8–4
Ken Rosewall15.196322 FebruaryNorth America Tour (group phase) – Montreal, CanadaTourCanvas (i) *8–6
Ken Rosewall16.196329 MarchNorth America Tour (group phase) – Kansas CityTourCanvas (i) *12–10
Rod Laver3.19631 AprilCleveland Tournament3rd placeCanvas (i)9–7
Rod Laver4.19637 AprilNorth America Tour (group phase) – Louisville (KY)TourCanvas (i) *8–3
Rod Laver5.196310 AprilNorth America Tour (group phase) – Wheaton (IL)TourCanvas (i) *8–6
Rod Laver6.196314 AprilNorth America Tour (group phase) – Hamilton, BermudaTourClay10–8
Rod Laver7.196325 AprilNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – San FranciscoTourCanvas (i) *3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall17.196326 AprilNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Los AngelesTourCanvas (i) *10–8, 7–5
Rod Laver8.196328 AprilNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Salt Lake CityTourConcrete (o)6–4, 16–18, 6–4
Ken Rosewall18.196329 AprilNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – DenverTourCanvas (i) *6–3, 6–2
Ken Rosewall19.19633 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – MinneapolisTourCanvas (i) *6–3, 3–6, 6–1
Rod Laver9.19635 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – ChicagoTourCanvas (i) *6–4, 7–5
Ken Rosewall20.19637 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Muncie, IndianaTourCanvas (i) *6–2, 6–4
Ken Rosewall21.196310 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Hershey (PA)TourCanvas (i) *7–5, 4–6, 9–7
Ken Rosewall22.196311 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Cherry Hill (NJ)TourCanvas (i) *7–5, 6–2
Ken Rosewall23.196312 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – New Haven (CT)TourCanvas (i) *14–12, 9–7
Rod Laver10.196316 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – New YorkTourCanvas (i) *6–0, 6–3
Ken Rosewall24.196317 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Corvallis (Oregon)TourCanvas (i) *10–8, 7–5
Ken Rosewall25.196318 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – PortlandTourCanvas (i) *8–6, 6–2
Ken Rosewall26.196320 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Medford (Oregon)TourCanvas (i) *6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall27.196321 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Eugene (Oregon)TourCanvas (i) *6–2, 6–2
Ken Rosewall28.196323 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – SeattleTourCanvas (i) *6–2, 3–6, 6–3
Ken Rosewall29.196324 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – VancouverTourCanvas (i) *6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall30.196330 MayNorth America Tour (play-off phase) – Santa BarbaraTourHard6–2, 6–8, 6–3
Ken Rosewall31.1963JuneTV Series – Los AngelesTourHardRosewall's win
Ken Rosewall32.196316 JuneLos Angeles Pro[8]FinalHard14–12, 6–4, 6–3
Ken Rosewall33.1963JuneTV Series – Los AngelesTourHardRosewall's win
Ken Rosewall34.196329 JuneU.S. Pro – Forest Hills[9]FinalGrass6–4, 6–2, 6–2
Rod Laver11.196311 AugustKitzbühel ProFinalClay6–3, 6–4, 6–4
Rod Laver12.196318 AugustCannes ProFinalWood (i)6–2, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall35.19637 SeptemberDublin tour matchTourGrass6–1, 6–4
Ken Rosewall36.196315 SeptemberFrench Pro – Paris Stade CoubertinFinalWood (i)6–8, 6–4, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver13.196322 SeptemberBrightonTourWood (i)6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall37.196330 SeptemberItalian Pro – RomeFinalWood (i)6–4, 6–3
Ken Rosewall38.19633 NovemberJapan Pro – Osaka[10]TourWood (i)5–7, 6–2 6–4
Rod Laver14.19645 JanuaryWestern Australian Pro – Perth (4-man tournament)[11]Round robinGrass6–2, 6–1
Ken Rosewall39.196411 JanuaryMelbourne ProFinalGrass6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall40.19641 MarchNew Zealand Tour – Hamilton EastTourClay5–7, 6–3, 6–1
Rod Laver15.19643 MarchNew Zealand Tour – GisborneTourWood (i)6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver16.19648 MarchNew Zealand Tour – NelsonTourGrass7–5, 6–2
Rod Laver17.196413 MarchNew Zealand Tour – InvercargillTourHard (i)6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver18.196420 JuneMonterey California ProSemifinalHard (o)9-11, 6–3, 6-4
Rod Laver19.196411 JulyU.S. Pro – BrooklineSemifinalGrass6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver20.196420 JulyNottingham (UK)TourWood (i)6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver21.196422 JulyKnokke-le-Zoute Pro (4-man Tournament)SemifinalClay6–1, 6–1
Rod Laver22.196425 JulyAltrinchamTour6–2, 6–2
Rod Laver23.196431 AugustZurichTourClay2–6, 6–1, 6–3
Rod Laver24.19641 SeptemberMontreuxTourClay6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall41.196413 SeptemberFrench Pro – Paris Stade CoubertinFinalWood (i)6–3, 7–5, 3–6, 6–3
Rod Laver25.196419 SeptemberWembley Pro – LondonFinalWood (i)7–5, 5–7, 4–6, 8–6, 8–6
Ken Rosewall42.196421 SeptemberCardiffTourHard (i)6–4, 6–3
Ken Rosewall43.196422 SeptemberGlasgowTourWood (i)6–1
Ken Rosewall44.196429 SeptemberRomeTourWood (i)6–3, 9–7
Rod Laver26.19646 OctoberFaenzaTourWood (i)7–5, 6–4
Rod Laver27.19648 OctoberTorinoTourClay (i)8–6, 6–2
Rod Laver28.196420 OctoberBloemfonteinTourHard**8–6, 6–4
Rod Laver29.196427 OctoberEast LondonTourHard6–4, 3–6, 6–4
Rod Laver30.196429 OctoberDurbanTourHard6–4, 9–7
Ken Rosewall45.196431 OctoberJohannesburg – Ellis ParkChallengeHard (o)6–4, 6–1, 6–4
Ken Rosewall46.196516 JanuaryQueensland Pro – BrisbaneFinalGrass6–8, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver31.196530 JanuarySouth Australian Pro – AdelaideFinalGrass6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver32.196513 FebruaryVictorian Pro – Melbourne[12]FinalGrass2–6, 6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver33.19655 JuneGreater Seattle ProSemifinalHard6–8, 15–13, 6–4
Rod Laver34.196519 JuneLake Tahoe ProSemifinalHard6–3, 3–6, 6–1
Ken Rosewall47.196527 JuneGreater Washington Pro – RestonFinalClay8–6, 6–1
Ken Rosewall48.19653 JulySt Louis ProSemifinalClay6–1, 6–4
Ken Rosewall49.19655 JulyUS Tour – CincinnatiTourClay10–8
Rod Laver35.196510 JulyNewport ProRound robinGrass31–21
Rod Laver36.196512 JulyNewport ProPlay-offGrass31–28
Ken Rosewall50.196519 JulyU.S. Pro – BrooklineFinalGrass6–4, 6–3, 6–3
Ken Rosewall51.196512 SeptemberFrench Pro – Paris Stade CoubertinFinalWood (i)6–3, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver37.196519 SeptemberBrighton (UK)TourWood (i)1–6, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver38.196522 SeptemberStalybridge (UK)TourWood (i)6–2, 4–6, 6–3
Rod Laver39.19653 OctoberVarese, ItalyTourWood (i)3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver40.19654 OctoberBolognaTourWood (i)6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall52.19656 OctoberTorinoTourClay (i)9–7, 6–2
Rod Laver41.196512 OctoberNairobi ProFinalClay6–1, 4–6, 6–2
Rod Laver42.196517 OctoberRhodesian Pro – Bulawayo and SalisburyFinalHard3–6, 6–4, 6–1
Rod Laver43.196530 OctoberNatal Pro – DurbanFinalHard6–2, 8–6
Rod Laver44.196529 OctoberEast LondonTourHard7–5, 6–4
Rod Laver45.19653 NovemberWestern Province Pro – Cape TownFinalHard4–6, 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver46.19656 NovemberJohannesburg – Ellis ParkChallengeHard5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver47.196622 JanuaryVictorian Pro – MelbourneFinalGrass6–3, 6–0
Rod Laver48.196623 JanuaryWarrnamboolTourGrass6–2, 6–0
Ken Rosewall53.196624 JanuarySheppartonTourGrass7–5, 9–7
Rod Laver49.196629 JanuaryWestern Australian Pro – PerthFinalGrass6–2, 10–8
Ken Rosewall54.196626 MarchMadison Square Garden Pro – New York City[13]FinalCarpet (i)6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver50.196612 JuneForest Hills ProRound robinGrass31–20
Rod Laver51.196612 JuneForest Hills ProFinalGrass31–29
Ken Rosewall55.196626 JuneSan Rafael ProRound robinHard31–29
Ken Rosewall56.19665 JulyCincinnatiTourClay8–5
Rod Laver52.19665 JulyCincinnatiTourClay21–18
Ken Rosewall57.196610 JulyNewport ProRound robinGrass31–23
Rod Laver53.196617 JulyU.S. Pro – Brookline[14]FinalGrass6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 8–10, 6–3
Rod Laver54.196617 SeptemberWembley Pro – London[15]FinalWood (i)6–2, 6–2, 6–3
Ken Rosewall58.19662 OctoberFrench Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin[16]FinalWood (i)6–3, 6–2, 14–12
Ken Rosewall59.196620 OctoberJohannesburg Pro[lower-alpha 4]FinalHard31–26
Rod Laver55.196623 OctoberWestern Province Pro – Cape TownFinalHard5–7, 6–4, 7–5
Ken Rosewall60.196624 OctoberPort ElizabethTourHard6–3, 7–5
Rod Laver56.196628 OctoberPretoriaTour8–6, 6–2
Rod Laver57.196728 MarchBoston Pro[lower-alpha 5]FinalCarpet (i)6–4, 6–0
Rod Laver58.19679 AprilParis Pro – Stade Coubertin[lower-alpha 6]FinalWood (i)6–0, 10–8, 10–8
Ken Rosewall61.196728 MayLos Angeles ProFinalCarpet6–2, 2–6, 7–5[lower-alpha 7]
Ken Rosewall62.19674 JunePacific Coast Pro – BerkeleyFinalHard4–6, 6–3, 8–6
Rod Laver59.196710 JuneMadison Square Garden Pro, New York CityFinalCarpet (i)6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall63.196725 JuneNewport Beach ProFinalHard6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver60.19673 JulyWorld Pro – Oklahoma CityFinalHard6–2, 3–6, 6–4
Rod Laver61.196723 JulyNewport ProRound robinGrass31–20
Rod Laver62.196728 AugustWimbledon Pro, England[17]FinalGrass6–2, 6–2, 12–10
Ken Rosewall64.19676 SeptemberTransvaal Pro – Pretoria, Benoni and Klerksdorp3rd placeHard6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver63.196711 SeptemberEast London Pro3rd placeHard8–5
Ken Rosewall65.196724 SeptemberMbabaneTourHard**6–2, 8–6
Rod Laver64.196728 OctoberWembley Pro – LondonFinalWood (i)2–6, 6–1, 1–6, 8–6, 6–2
Rod Laver65.196817 AprilBBC2 World Invitation Champs Pro – WembleyFinalWood (i)6–3, 10–8
Ken Rosewall66.196828 AprilBournemouth OpenFinalClay3–6, 6–2, 6–0, 6–3
Rod Laver66.19687 MayNTL Wembley Invitation ProFinalWood (i)6–0, 6–1, 6–0
Rod Laver67.196818 MayNTL Madison Square Garden Pro – New York CityFinalCarpet (i)4–6, 6–3, 9–7, 6–4
Ken Rosewall67.19689 JuneFrench Open – Stade Roland Garros ParisFinalClay6–3, 6–1, 2–6, 6–2
Rod Laver68.196822 SeptemberPacific Southwest Open – Los AngelesFinalHard (i)4–6, 6–0, 6–0[lower-alpha 8]
Rod Laver69.196810 DecemberNashville – Dixie Tennis ClassicFinalCarpet (i)6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver70.19698 FebruaryPhiladelphia OpenSemifinalCarpet (i)6–4, 6–2
Rod Laver71.196911 FebruaryOrlando ProFinalClay6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver72.196925 FebruaryOakland ProSemifinalCarpet (i)6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver73.196921 MayBBC2 World Pro – WembleyFinalWood (i)8–6, 6–0
Rod Laver74.196922–24 MayDutch Pro Champs – Amsterdam and EindhovenRound robinClay6–2, 1–6, 6–3
Rod Laver75.19698 JuneFrench Open – Stade Roland Garros ParisFinalClay6–4, 6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver76.196914 JulyU.S. Pro – BrooklineSemifinalHard6–3, 5–7, 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver77.196917 AugustFort Worth ProFinalHard6–3, 6–2
Ken Rosewall68.196917 OctoberHamburg – One-night standSingle matchCarpet (i)0–6, 6–4, 8–6
Rod Laver78.197022 MarchDunlop Sydney Open – White City[18]FinalGrass3–6, 6–2, 3–6, 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver79.19701 JuneSt Louis WCTFinalCarpet (i)6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver80.197016 JulyTennis Champions Classic Pro – New York CityFinalCarpet (i)6–4, 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver81.19701 AugustLouisville WCTSemifinalClay6–4, 1–6, 6–1
Rod Laver82.197015 DecemberMasters, TokyoRound robinCarpet (i)5–6, 6–3, 6–5
Rod Laver83.19712 JanuaryTennis Champions Classic Pro – New YorkCarpet (i)6–3, 6–2, 7–5
Ken Rosewall69.197115 JulyWashington WCTRound of 16Clay5–7, 6–3, 6–1
Rod Laver84.19711 AugustFort Worth WCTQuarterfinalHard7–5, 5–7, 6–2
Rod Laver85.19713 OctoberBerkeley WCTFinalHard6–4, 6–4, 7–6(7–3)
Ken Rosewall70.197118 NovemberWCT Finals, Houston and DallasFinalCarpet (i)6–4, 1–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–4)
Rod Laver86.197213 FebruaryU.S. Pro Indoor – Philadelphia WCTFinalCarpet (i)4–6, 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
Rod Laver87.197220 FebruaryToronto WCTFinalCarpet (i)6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver88.19729 AprilHouston River Oaks WCTFinalClay6–2, 6–4
Ken Rosewall71.197214 MayWCT Finals, DallasFinalCarpet (i)4–6, 6–0, 6–3, 6–7(3–7), 7–6(7–5)
Ken Rosewall72.197312 MayWCT Finals, Dallas3rd placeCarpet (i)6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver89.197310 NovemberAustralian Indoors, SydneySemifinalHard (i)6–4, 3–6, 8–6
Ken Rosewall73.197615 FebruaryWCT Avis Challenge CupRound robinCarpet6–4, 6–1, 6–3[lower-alpha 9]
Ken Rosewall74.19768 AprilHouston River Oaks WCT (first Tour)Round of 16Clay3–6, 6–4, 6–3
Ken Rosewall75.19774 FebruaryGreen Bay, WisconsinTourCarpet (i)7–6, 7–5

The star(*) means it was most probably canvas. During the World Tour in 63, they used their portable canvas surface .It's possible (but very unlikely) that in some stops they played on wood.

The double star(**) means it was most probably hard, but not yet confirmed.

Other matches:

  • 1964, 30 January – Brisbane tour match. Rain stopped match when Laver was ahead 4–6, 8–6, 1–0.
  • 1965, 24 January – Manly Tour. Rain stopped match when Rosewall was ahead 6–2, 3–2.
  • 1966, October–November – Tour in Nairobi, Entebbe, Accra and Lagos.
  • 1967, August – Italian Tour, four cities with the pro troupe.
  • 1967, October – Spain Tour with Laver, Rosewall, Gimeno and Stolle.

See also

Notes

  1. Jack Kramer claimed in "Tennis de France N°174 Octobre 1967" that Rosewall's peak career was in 1961–1962.
  2. Fourth match on the NZ Tour. Two matches were played between Auckland and Palmerston North, two between Palmerston North and Hamilton.
  3. Rosewall won 6–3, 7–5 or 6–3, 7–6. They may have played a final game to finish the set off.
  4. Not to be confused with: South African Pro – Johannesburg.
  5. Not to be confused with: U.S. Pro.
  6. Not to be confused with: French Pro.
  7. Tournament played on AstroTurf carpet surface on Center Court and on cement on the secondary court.
  8. Last four days of the tournament held indoors at Los Angeles Sports Arena.
  9. Tournament started on Supreme Court carpet surface. Because of extreme heat, they changed to plexipave hardcourt.

References

  1. Conner, Floyd (2002). Tennis's Most Wanted : the top 10 book of baseline blunders, clay court wonders, and lucky lobs (1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: Brassey's, Inc. p. 224. ISBN 978-1574883633.
  2. Eben Harrell (8 September 2010). "Top 10 Tennis Rivalries". Time.
  3. Dick Roraback (9 June 1969). "Rod and Ken: Still Another Point of View". International Herald Tribune (European Edition). p. 13.
  4. Bud Collins (29 January 2006). "A rivalry for the ages". The Age.
  5. "Laver 'Crushed' In 65 Minutes – Grand Slam Champion Beaten By Rosewall". The Canberra Times. 7 January 1963. p. 16 via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Laver Downs Ken Rosewall". The Canberra Times. 21 January 1963. p. 20 via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Laver Down Before £850 Gate". The Canberra Times. 22 January 1963. p. 20 via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Rosewall Wins Pro. Title". The Canberra Times. 18 June 1963. p. 28 via National Library of Australia.
  9. "LAVER LOSES TO ROSEWALL". The Canberra Times. 2 July 1963. p. 24 via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Hoad Wins". The Canberra Times. 4 November 1963. p. 20 via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Laver in Form". The Canberra Times. 6 January 1964. p. 16 via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Rosewall down to Laver". The Canberra Times. 15 February 1965. p. 14 via National Library of Australia.
  13. "Professional tennis to Ken Rose wall". The Canberra Times. 28 March 1966. p. 23 via National Library of Australia.
  14. "Laver hits top again". The Canberra Times. 19 July 1966. p. 16 via National Library of Australia.
  15. "Layer outclasses Rosewall with swift efficiency". The Canberra Times. 19 September 1966. p. 13 via National Library of Australia.
  16. "Rosewall's singles title". The Canberra Times. 5 October 1966. p. 29 via National Library of Australia.
  17. "Wimbledon pro title to Laver". The Canberra Times. 30 August 1967. p. 36 via National Library of Australia.
  18. "Tennis thriller – Layer wins 'greatest game ever'". The Canberra Times. 23 March 1970. p. 20 via National Library of Australia.

Sources

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