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 1957 and the two players did not meet until January 1963 when Laver turned pro. They played several times until 1976 when both semi-retired from the main tour.[2]

Analysis

Including tournaments and one-night stands, they played at least 144 matches with Laver leading 80–64.

Except the first year (1963) and the last year they played (1976), the statistics of their meetings show a domination by Laver which can be explained by two main reasons : Laver was technically superior, with a better serve, and Laver faced an already declining Rosewall: in their first meeting ever, Rosewall was already 28 years of age.[lower-alpha 1]

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:[3]

Player 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 Total
Australia Rod Laver 12 15 13 7 8 5 8 5 3 3 1 0 0 0 80
Australia Ken Rosewall 34 4 5 7 5 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 2 64

Results on each court surface

These statistics should be taken carefully because the surface only has been documented in about two thirds of matches.

List of all matches

Legend:
Rod Laver's wins
Ken Rosewall's wins
Winner No. Year Date Event Round Surface Score
Ken Rosewall 1. 1963 6 January Australasian Tour – Sydney White City [4] Tour Grass 6–3, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 2. 1963 12 January Australasian Tour – Brisbane Milton Tour Grass 3–6, 10–8, 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 1. 1963 19 January Australasian Tour – Melbourne [5] Tour Grass 6–3, 3–6, 7–5, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 3. 1963 21 January Australasian Tour – Canberra [6] Tour Grass 10–8, 6–3
Rod Laver 2. 1963 January Australasian Tour – Adelaide Tour Grass 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 4. 1963 January Australasian Tour – Auckland Tour Grass 6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 5. 1963 January Australasian Tour – Dunedin Tour Grass 10–8, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 6. 1963 January Australasian Tour – Napier Tour Grass 6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 7. 1963 January Australasian Tour – Palmerston North Tour Grass 7–9, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 8. 1963 January Australasian Tour – Masterton Tour Grass 6–2, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 9. 1963 January Australasian Tour – Wellington Tour Grass 6–3, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 10. 1963 3 February Australasian Tour – Hamilton Tour Grass 6–3, 7–5[lower-alpha 2]
Ken Rosewall 11. 1963 10 February North America Tour (group phase) – New York Tour Indoor 12–10
Ken Rosewall 12. 1963 14 February North America Tour (group phase) – College Park (MD) Tour Indoor 8–5
Ken Rosewall 13. 1963 17 February North America Tour (group phase) – Baltimore (MD) Tour Indoor
Ken Rosewall 14. 1963 22 February North America Tour (group phase) – Montreal, Canada Tour Indoor 8–6
Ken Rosewall 15. 1963 31 March North America Tour (group phase) – Kansas City Tour Indoor 12–10
Rod Laver 3. 1963 7 April North America Tour (group phase) – Louisville (KY) Tour 8–3
Rod Laver 4. 1963 11 April North America Tour (group phase) – Wheaton (IL) Tour 8–6 (or 8–5)
Rod Laver 5. 1963 14 April North America Tour (group phase) – Hamilton, Bermuda Tour 10–8
Rod Laver 6. 1963 26 April North America Tour (play-off phase) – San Francisco Tour 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 16. 1963 27 April North America Tour (play-off phase) – Los Angeles Tour Indoor 10–8, 7–5
Rod Laver 7. 1963 29 April North America Tour (play-off phase) – Salt Lake City Tour 6–4, 16–18, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 17. 1963 30 April North America Tour (play-off phase) – Denver Tour 6–3, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 18. 1963 2 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Winnipeg (Canada) Tour
Rod Laver 8. 1963 5 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Unknown city Tour Laver's win
Ken Rosewall 19. 1963 May (?) North America Tour (play-off phase) – Unknown city Tour Rosewall's win
Ken Rosewall 20. 1963 10 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Unknown city Tour Rosewall's win
Ken Rosewall 21. 1963 11 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Hershey (PA) Tour Rosewall's win
Ken Rosewall 22. 1963 12 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – New Haven (CT) Tour Rosewall's win
Rod Laver 9. 1963 16 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – New York Tour Indoor 6–0, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 23. 1963 18 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Corvallis (Oregon) Tour 10–8, 7–5
Ken Rosewall 24. 1963 20 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Unknown city Tour Rosewall's win
Ken Rosewall 25. 1963 21 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Medford (Oregon) Tour Indoor 6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 26. 1963 22 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Eugene (Oregon) Tour Indoor 6–2, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 27. 1963 23 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Seattle Tour 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 28. 1963 24 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Unknown city Tour Rosewall's win
Ken Rosewall 29. 1963 May (?) North America Tour (play-off phase) – Unknown city Tour Rosewall's win
Rod Laver 10. 1963 1 April Cleveland Tournament 3rd place Indoor 9–7
Ken Rosewall 30. 1963 16 June Los Angeles Pro [7] Final Hard 14–12, 6–4, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 31. 1963 29 June U.S. Pro – Forest Hills [8] Final Grass 6–4, 6–2, 6–2
Rod Laver 11. 1963 5 August Kitzbühel Pro Final Clay 6–3, 6–4, 6–4
Rod Laver 12. 1963 12 August Cannes Pro Final Wood (i) 6–2, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 32. 1963 15 September French Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin Final Wood (i) 6–8, 6–4, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 33. 1963 30 September Italian Pro – Rome Final 6–4 6–3
Ken Rosewall 34. 1963 3 November Japan Pro – Osaka [9] Tour 5–7, 6–2 6–4
Rod Laver 13. 1964 5 January Western Australian Pro – Perth (4 man tournament) [10] Round robin Grass 6–2, 6–1
Ken Rosewall 35. 1964 11 January Melbourne Pro Final Grass 6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 36. 1964 1 March New Zealand Tour – Hamilton East Tour 5–7, 6–3, 6–1
Rod Laver 14. 1964 8 March New Zealand Tour – Nelson Tour 7–5, 6–2
Rod Laver 15. 1964 9 March New Zealand Tour – Palmerston North Tour Laver's win
Rod Laver 16. 1964 February or March New Zealand Tour – Unknown city Tour Laver's win
Rod Laver 17. 1964 20 June Monterey California Pro Semifinal 11–9, 6–3r
Rod Laver 18. 1964 11 July U.S. Pro – Brookline outside Boston Semifinal Grass 6–3, 6–3, 7–9, 6–2
Rod Laver 19. 1964 July Nottingham (UK) Tour 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 20. 1964 22 July Knokke-le-Zoute Pro (4 man Tournament) Semifinal 6–1, 6–1
Rod Laver 21. 1964 1 September Montreux Tour 6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 37. 1964 13 September French Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin Final Wood (i) 6–3, 7–5, 3–6, 6–3
Rod Laver 22. 1964 19 September Wembley Pro – London Final Wood (i) 7–5, 5–7, 4–6, 8–6, 8–6
Rod Laver 23. 1964 6 October Faenza Tour 7–5, 6–4
Rod Laver 24. 1964 8 October Torino Tour 8–6, 6–2
Rod Laver 25. 1964 October Bloemfontein Tour 8–6, 6–4
Rod Laver 26. 1964 October East London Tour 6–4, 3–6, 6–4
Rod Laver 27. 1964 October Durban Tour 6–4, 9–7
Ken Rosewall 38. 1964 October Johannesburg – Ellis Park Challenge 6–4, 6–1, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 39. 1965 16 January Queensland Pro – Brisbane Final Grass 6–8, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver 28. 1965 31 January South Australian Pro – Adelaide Final Grass 6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver 29. 1965 13 February Victorian Pro – Melbourne [11] Final Grass 2–6, 6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver 30. 1965 5 June Greater Seattle Pro Semifinal 6–8, 15–13, 6–4
Rod Laver 31. 1965 19 June Lake Tahoe Pro Semifinal 6–3, 3–6, 6–1
Ken Rosewall 40. 1965 27 June Greater Washington Pro – Reston Final 8–6, 6–1
Ken Rosewall 41. 1965 3 July St Louis Pro Semifinal 6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver 32. 1965 6–12 July Newport Pro Round robin Grass 31–21
Rod Laver 33. 1965 6–12 July Newport Pro Play off Grass 31–28
Ken Rosewall 42. 1965 19 July U.S. Pro – Brookline outside Boston Final Grass 6–4, 6–3, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 43. 1965 13 September French Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin Final Wood (i) 6–3, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver 34. 1965 19 September Brighton (UK) Tour 1–6, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver 35. 1965 October Nairobi Pro Final 6–1, 4–6, 6–2
Rod Laver 36. 1965 October Rhodesian Pro – Bulawayo and Salisbury Final 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
Rod Laver 37. 1965 October Natal Pro – Durban Final 6–2, 8–6
Rod Laver 38. 1965 October East London Tour Laver's win
Rod Laver 39. 1965 October Johannesburg – Ellis Park Tour 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver 40. 1965 1–4 November Western Province Pro – Cape Town Final 4–6, 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 41. 1966 22 January Victorian Pro – Melbourne Final Grass 6–3, 6–0
Ken Rosewall 44. 1966 23 January Shepparton Tour Grass 7–5, 9–7
Rod Laver 42. 1966 29 January Western Australian Pro – Perth Final Grass 6–2, 10–8
Ken Rosewall 45. 1966 26 March Madison Square Garden Pro – New York City [12] Final Indoor 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 43. 1966 8–12 June Forest Hills Pro Round robin Grass 31–20
Rod Laver 44. 1966 12 June Forest Hills Pro Final Grass 31–29
Ken Rosewall 46. 1966 27 June San Rafael Pro Round robin 31–29
Ken Rosewall 47. 1966 9 July (or 10) Newport Pro Round robin 31–23
Rod Laver 45. 1966 16 July U.S. Pro – Brookline [13] Final Grass 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 8–10, 6–3
Rod Laver 46. 1966 17 September Wembley Pro – London [14] Final Wood (i) 6–2, 6–2, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 48. 1966 2 October French Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin [15] Final Wood (i) 6–3, 6–2, 14–12
Ken Rosewall 49. 1966 20 October Johannesburg Pro[lower-alpha 3] Final Hard 31–26
Ken Rosewall 50. 1966 24 October Port Elizabeth Tour 6–3, 7–5
Rod Laver 47. 1966 23 October Western Province Pro – Cape Town Final 5–7, 6–4, 7–5
Rod Laver 48. 1967 2 April Boston Pro[lower-alpha 4] Final Indoor 6–4, 6–0
Rod Laver 49. 1967 9 April Paris Pro – Stade Coubertin[lower-alpha 5] Final Indoor 6–0, 10–8, 10–8
Ken Rosewall 51. 1967 28 May Los Angeles Pro Final Hard 6–2, 2–6, 7–5
Ken Rosewall 52. 1967 4 June Pacific Coast Pro – Berkeley Final Hard 4–6, 6–3, 8–6
Rod Laver 50. 1967 9 June Madison Square Garden Pro, New York City Final Indoor 6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 53. 1967 25 June Newport Beach Pro Final 6–3, 6–
Rod Laver 51. 1967 4 July World Pro – Oklahoma City Final 6–2, 3–6, 6–4
Rod Laver 52. 1967 18–23 July Newport Pro Round robin Grass 31–20
Rod Laver 53. 1967 28 August Wimbledon Pro, England [16] Final Grass 6–2, 6–2, 12–10
Ken Rosewall 54. 1967 6 September Transvaal Pro – Pretoria, Benoni and Klerksdorp Hard 6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver 54. 1967 11 September East London Pro 3rd place 8–5
Ken Rosewall 55. 1967 24 September Mbabane Tour Hard 6–2, 8–6
Rod Laver 55. 1967 28 October Wembley Pro – London Final Wood (i) 2–6, 6–1, 1–6, 8–6, 6–2
Rod Laver 56. 1968 18 April BBC2 World Invitation Champs Pro – Wembley Final 6–3, 10–8r
Ken Rosewall 56. 1968 27 April Bournemouth Open Final Clay 3–6, 6–2, 6–0, 6–3
Rod Laver 57. 1968 6 May NTL Wembley Invitation Pro Final Indoor 6–0, 6–1, 6–0
Rod Laver 58. 1968 18 May NTL Madison Square Garden Pro – New York City Final Indoor 4–6, 6–3, 9–7, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 57. 1968 9 June French Open – Stade Roland Garros Paris Final Clay 6–3, 6–1, 2–6, 6–2
Rod Laver 59. 1968 23 September Pacific Southwest Open – Los Angeles Final Hard 4–6, 6–0, 6–0
Rod Laver 60. 1968 10 December Nashville - Dixie Tennis Classic Final Wood (i) 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 61. 1969 8 February Philadelphia Open Semifinal Carpet (i) 6–4, 6–2
Rod Laver 62. 1969 10–15 February Orlando Pro Final 6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver 63. 1969 25 February Oakland Pro Semifinal 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 64. 1969 22 May BBC2 World Pro – Wembley Final Indoor 8–6, 6–0
Rod Laver 65. 1969 22–24 May Dutch Pro Champs – Amsterdam and Eindhoven Round robin 6–2, 1–6, 6–3
Rod Laver 66. 1969 8 June French Open – Stade Roland Garros Paris Final Clay 6–4, 6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver 67. 1969 14 July U.S. Pro – Brookline Semifinal 6–3, 5–7, 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 68. 1969 17 August Fort Worth Pro Final Hard 6–3, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 58. 1969 October Hamburg – One-night stand 2–6, 7–5, 8–6
Rod Laver 69. 1970 22 March Dunlop Sydney Open – White City [17] Final Grass 3–6, 6–2, 3–6, 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 70. 1970 1 June St Louis WCT Final Carpet (i) 6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver 71. 1970 16 July Tennis Champions Classic Pro – New York City Final Indoor 6–4, 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 72. 1970 1 August Louisville WCT Semifinal Clay 6–4, 1–6, 6–1
Rod Laver 73. 1970 15 December Masters, Tokyo Round robin Carpet (i) 5–6, 6–3, 6–5
Rod Laver 74. 1971 2 January Tennis Champions Classic Pro – New York Indoor 6–3, 6–2, 7–5
Rod Laver 75. 1971 1 August Fort Worth WCT Quarterfinal Hard 7–5, 5–7, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 59. 1971 August (15?) Washington WCT Round of 16 Clay 5–7, 6–3, 6–1
Rod Laver 76. 1971 3 October Berkeley WCT Final Hard 6–4, 6–4, 7–6
Ken Rosewall 60. 1971 18 November WCT Finals, Houston and Dallas Final Carpet (i) 6–4, 1–6, 7–6, 7–6
Rod Laver 77. 1972 13 February U.S. Pro Indoor – Philadelphia WCT Final Carpet (i) 4–6, 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
Rod Laver 78. 1972 20 February Toronto WCT Final Carpet (i) 6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver 79. 1972 9 April Houston River Oaks WCT Final Clay 6–2, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 61. 1972 14 May WCT Finals, Dallas Final Carpet (i) 4–6, 6–0, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6
Ken Rosewall 62. 1973 9–13 May WCT Finals, Dallas 3rd place Carpet (i) 6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver 80. 1973 10 November Sydney Semifinal Indoor 6–4, 3–6, 8–6
Ken Rosewall 63. 1976 15 February WCT Avis Challenge Cup Round robin Hard 6–4, 6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 64. 1976 5–10 April Houston River Oaks WCT (first Tour) Round of 16 Clay 3–6, 6–4, 6–3

Other matches:

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ John Albert Kramer claimed in "Tennis de France N°174 Octobre 1967" that Rosewall's peak career was in 1961-1962.
  2. ↑ Rosewall won 6–3, 7–5 or 6–3, 7–6. They may have played a final game to finish the set off.
  3. ↑ Not to be confused with: South African Pro – Johannesburg.
  4. ↑ Not to be confused with: U.S. Pro.
  5. ↑ Not to be confused with: French Pro.

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 (Sep 8, 2010). "Top 10 Tennis Rivalries". Time.
  3. ↑ Bud Collins (January 29, 2006). "A rivalry for the ages". The Age.
  4. ↑ "Laver 'Crushed' In 65 Minutes – Grand Slam Champion Beaten By Rosewall.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 7 January 1963. p. 16.
  5. ↑ "Laver Downs Ken Rosewall". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 21 January 1963. p. 20.
  6. ↑ "Laver Down Before £850 Gate.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 22 January 1963. p. 20.
  7. ↑ "Rosewall Wins Pro. Title.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 18 June 1963. p. 28.
  8. ↑ "LAVER LOSES TO ROSEWALL.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 2 July 1963. p. 24.
  9. ↑ "Hoad Wins". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 4 November 1963. p. 20.
  10. ↑ "Laver In Form.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 6 January 1964. p. 16.
  11. ↑ "Rosewall down to Laver.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 15 February 1965. p. 14.
  12. ↑ "Professional tennis to Ken Rose wall.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 28 March 1966. p. 23.
  13. ↑ "Laver hits top again.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 19 July 1966. p. 16.
  14. ↑ "Layer outclasses Rosewall with swift efficiency.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 19 September 1966. p. 13.
  15. ↑ "Rosewall's singles title.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 5 October 1966. p. 29.
  16. ↑ "Wimbledon pro title to Laver.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 30 August 1967. p. 36.
  17. ↑ "Tennis thriller – Layer wins 'greatest game ever'.". The Canberra Times (National Library of Australia). 23 March 1970. p. 20.

Sources

External links

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