Laver–Rosewall rivalry

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

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 many times until 1977 when both semi-retired from the main tour.[2]

Analysis

Including tournaments and one-night stands, they played at least 160 matches with Laver leading 86–74.

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]

Head-to-head tallies

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 1977 Total
Australia Rod Laver 13 16 15 9 8 5 8 5 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 86
Australia Ken Rosewall 38 6 7 8 5 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 74

Results on each court surface

These statistics should be viewed cautiously 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 25 January Australasian Tour – Adelaide Tour Grass 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 4. 1963 Unknown date Australasian Tour – Unknown city in Australia Tour Rosewall's win
Ken Rosewall 5. 1963 28 January Australasian Tour – Auckland Tour 6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 6. 1963 29 or 30 January Australasian Tour – Dunedin Tour 10–8, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 7. 1963 29 or 30 January Australasian Tour – Napier Tour 6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 8. 1963 31 January Australasian Tour – Palmerston North Tour 7–9, 6–3, 6–4[lower-alpha 2]
Ken Rosewall 9. 1963 1 or 2 February Australasian Tour – Masterton Tour 6–2, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 10. 1963 1 or 2 February Australasian Tour – Wellington Tour 6–3, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 11. 1963 3 February Australasian Tour – Hamilton Tour 6–3, 7–5[lower-alpha 3]
Ken Rosewall 12. 1963 10 February North America Tour (group phase) – New York Tour Indoor 12–10
Ken Rosewall 13. 1963 14 February North America Tour (group phase) – College Park (MD) Tour Indoor 8–5
Ken Rosewall 14. 1963 17 February North America Tour (group phase) – Baltimore (MD) Tour Indoor 8–4
Ken Rosewall 15. 1963 22 February North America Tour (group phase) – Montreal, Canada Tour Indoor 8–6
Ken Rosewall 16. 1963 29 March North America Tour (group phase) – Kansas City Tour Indoor 12–10
Rod Laver 3. 1963 1 April Cleveland Tournament 3rd place Indoor 9–7
Rod Laver 4. 1963 7 April North America Tour (group phase) – Louisville (KY) Tour Indoor 8–3
Rod Laver 5. 1963 10 April North America Tour (group phase) – Wheaton (IL) Tour Indoor 8–6
Rod Laver 6. 1963 14 April North America Tour (group phase) – Hamilton, Bermuda Tour Clay 10–8
Rod Laver 7. 1963 25 April North America Tour (play-off phase) – San Francisco Tour Indoor 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 17. 1963 26 April North America Tour (play-off phase) – Los Angeles Tour Indoor 10–8, 7–5
Rod Laver 8. 1963 28 April North America Tour (play-off phase) – Salt Lake City Tour Clay 6–4, 16–18, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 18. 1963 29 April North America Tour (play-off phase) – Denver Tour 6–3, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 19. 1963 3 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Minneapolis Tour Indoors 6–3, 3–6, 6–1
Rod Laver 9. 1963 5 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Chicago Tour Indoor 6–4, 7–5
Ken Rosewall 20. 1963 7 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Muncie, Indiana Tour Indoors 6–2, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 21. 1963 10 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Hershey (PA) Tour Indoor 7–5, 4–6, 9–7
Ken Rosewall 22. 1963 11 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Cherry Hill (NJ) Tour Indoor 7–5, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 23. 1963 12 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – New Haven (CT) Tour Indoor 14–12, 9–7
Rod Laver 10. 1963 16 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – New York Tour Indoor 6–0, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 24. 1963 17 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Corvallis (Oregon) Tour Indoor 10–8, 7–5
Ken Rosewall 25. 1963 18 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Portland Tour 8–6, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 26. 1963 20 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Medford (Oregon) Tour Indoor 6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 27. 1963 21 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Eugene (Oregon) Tour Indoor 6–2, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 28. 1963 23 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Seattle Tour 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 29. 1963 24 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Vancouver Tour 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 30. 1963 30 May North America Tour (play-off phase) – Santa Barbara Tour 6-2, 6-8, 6-3
Ken Rosewall 31. 1963 June TV Series - Los Angeles Tour Rosewall's win
Ken Rosewall 32. 1963 16 June Los Angeles Pro [7] Final Hard 14–12, 6–4, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 33. 1963 June TV Series - Los Angeles Tour Rosewall's win
Ken Rosewall 34. 1963 29 June U.S. Pro – Forest Hills [8] Final Grass 6–4, 6–2, 6–2
Rod Laver 11. 1963 11 August Kitzbühel Pro Final Clay 6–3, 6–4, 6–4
Rod Laver 12. 1963 18 August Cannes Pro Final Wood (i) 6–2, 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 35. 1963 7 September Dublin tour match Tour Grass 6-1, 6-4
Ken Rosewall 36. 1963 15 September French Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin Final Wood (i) 6–8, 6–4, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver 13. 1963 22 September Brighton Tour 6–3, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 37. 1963 30 September Italian Pro – Rome Final 6–4, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 38. 1963 3 November Japan Pro – Osaka [9] Tour 5–7, 6–2 6–4
Rod Laver 14. 1964 5 January Western Australian Pro – Perth (4 man tournament) [10] Round robin Grass 6–2, 6–1
Ken Rosewall 39. 1964 11 January Melbourne Pro Final Grass 6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 40. 1964 1 March New Zealand Tour – Hamilton East Tour 5–7, 6–3, 6–1
Rod Laver 15. 1964 8 March New Zealand Tour – Nelson Tour Grass 7–5, 6–2
Rod Laver 16. 1964 9 March New Zealand Tour – Palmerston North Tour Laver's win
Rod Laver 17. 1964 February or March New Zealand Tour – Gisborne Tour Wood (i) Laver's win
Rod Laver 18. 1964 20 June Monterey California Pro Semifinal Hard 11–9, 6–3r
Rod Laver 19. 1964 11 July U.S. Pro – Brookline Semifinal Grass 6–3, 6–3, 7–9, 6–2
Rod Laver 20. 1964 20 July Nottingham (UK) Tour 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 21. 1964 22 July Knokke-le-Zoute Pro (4 man Tournament) Semifinal Clay 6–1, 6–1
Rod Laver 22. 1964 31 August Zurich Tour Clay 2-6, 6–1, 6–3
Rod Laver 23. 1964 1 September Montreux Tour Clay 6–1, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 41. 1964 13 September French Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin Final Wood (i) 6–3, 7–5, 3–6, 6–3
Rod Laver 24. 1964 19 September Wembley Pro – London Final Wood (i) 7–5, 5–7, 4–6, 8–6, 8–6
Ken Rosewall 42. 1964 22 September Glasgow Indoor hard 6–1
Ken Rosewall 43. 1964 29 September Rome Tour 6–3, 9-7
Rod Laver 25. 1964 6 October Faenza Tour 7–5, 6–4
Rod Laver 26. 1964 8 October Torino Tour Clay (i) 8–6, 6–2
Rod Laver 27. 1964 20 October Bloemfontein Tour 8–6, 6–4
Rod Laver 28. 1964 27 October East London Tour Hard 6–4, 3–6, 6–4
Rod Laver 29. 1964 29 October Durban Tour Hard 6–4, 9–7
Ken Rosewall 44. 1964 31 October Johannesburg – Ellis Park Challenge Hard 6–4, 6–1, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 45. 1965 16 January Queensland Pro – Brisbane Final Grass 6–8, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver 30. 1965 30 January South Australian Pro – Adelaide Final Grass 6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver 31. 1965 13 February Victorian Pro – Melbourne [11] Final Grass 2–6, 6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver 32. 1965 5 June Greater Seattle Pro Semifinal Hard 6–8, 15–13, 6–4
Rod Laver 33. 1965 19 June Lake Tahoe Pro Semifinal Hard 6–3, 3–6, 6–1
Ken Rosewall 46. 1965 27 June Greater Washington Pro – Reston Final Clay 8–6, 6–1
Ken Rosewall 47. 1965 3 July St Louis Pro Semifinal Clay 6–1, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 48. 1965 5 July US Tour – Cincinnati Tour Clay 10–8
Rod Laver 34. 1965 10 July Newport Pro Round robin Grass 31–21
Rod Laver 35. 1965 12 July Newport Pro Play off Grass 31–28
Ken Rosewall 49. 1965 19 July U.S. Pro – Brookline Final Grass 6–4, 6–3, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 50. 1965 12 September French Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin Final Wood (i) 6–3, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver 36. 1965 19 September Brighton (UK) Tour Wood (i) 1–6, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver 37. 1965 3 October Varese, Italy Tour Wood (i) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Rod Laver 38. 1965 4 October Bologna Tour 6-3, 6-4
Ken Rosewall 51. 1965 6 October Torino Tour Clay (i) 9–7, 6–2
Rod Laver 39. 1965 12 October Nairobi Pro Final 6–1, 4–6, 6–2
Rod Laver 40. 1965 17 October Rhodesian Pro – Bulawayo and Salisbury Final 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
Rod Laver 41. 1965 30 October Natal Pro – Durban Final Hard 6–2, 8–6
Rod Laver 42. 1965 29 October East London Tour Hard 7-5, 6-4
Rod Laver 43. 1965 3 November Western Province Pro – Cape Town Final 4–6, 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 44. 1965 6 November Johannesburg – Ellis Park Challenge Hard 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
Rod Laver 45. 1966 22 January Victorian Pro – Melbourne Final Grass 6–3, 6–0
Rod Laver 46. 1966 23 January Warrnambool Tour Grass 6–2, 6–0
Ken Rosewall 52. 1966 23 January Shepparton Tour Grass 7–5, 9–7
Rod Laver 47. 1966 29 January Western Australian Pro – Perth Final Grass 6–2, 10–8
Ken Rosewall 53. 1966 26 March Madison Square Garden Pro – New York City [12] Final Carpet (i) 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 48. 1966 12 June Forest Hills Pro Round robin Grass 31–20
Rod Laver 49. 1966 12 June Forest Hills Pro Final Grass 31–29
Ken Rosewall 54. 1966 26 June San Rafael Pro Round robin Hard 31–29
Ken Rosewall 55. 1966 6 July Cincinnati Tour 8-5
Rod Laver 50. 1966 6 July Cincinnati Tour 21–18
Ken Rosewall 56. 1966 10 July Newport Pro Round robin Grass 31–23
Rod Laver 51. 1966 17 July U.S. Pro – Brookline [13] Final Grass 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 8–10, 6–3
Rod Laver 52. 1966 17 September Wembley Pro – London [14] Final Wood (i) 6–2, 6–2, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 57. 1966 2 October French Pro – Paris Stade Coubertin [15] Final Wood (i) 6–3, 6–2, 14–12
Ken Rosewall 58. 1966 20 October Johannesburg Pro[lower-alpha 4] Final Hard 31–26
Rod Laver 53. 1966 23 October Western Province Pro – Cape Town Final 5–7, 6–4, 7–5
Ken Rosewall 59. 1966 24 October Port Elizabeth Tour 6–3, 7–5
Rod Laver 54. 1967 28 March Boston Pro[lower-alpha 5] Final Carpet (i) 6–4, 6–0
Rod Laver 55. 1967 9 April Paris Pro – Stade Coubertin[lower-alpha 6] Final Wood (i) 6–0, 10–8, 10–8
Ken Rosewall 60. 1967 28 May Los Angeles Pro Final Carpet 6–2, 2–6, 7–5[lower-alpha 7]
Ken Rosewall 61. 1967 4 June Pacific Coast Pro – Berkeley Final Hard 4–6, 6–3, 8–6
Rod Laver 56. 1967 10 June Madison Square Garden Pro, New York City Final Carpet (i) 6–4, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 62. 1967 25 June Newport Beach Pro Final Hard 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 57. 1967 3 July World Pro – Oklahoma City Final Hard 6–2, 3–6, 6–4
Rod Laver 58. 1967 23 July Newport Pro Round robin Grass 31–20
Rod Laver 59. 1967 28 August Wimbledon Pro, England [16] Final Grass 6–2, 6–2, 12–10
Ken Rosewall 63. 1967 6 September Transvaal Pro – Pretoria, Benoni and Klerksdorp 3rd place Hard 6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver 60. 1967 11 September East London Pro 3rd place Hard 8–5
Ken Rosewall 64. 1967 24 September Mbabane Tour Hard 6–2, 8–6
Rod Laver 61. 1967 28 October Wembley Pro – London Final Wood (i) 2–6, 6–1, 1–6, 8–6, 6–2
Rod Laver 62. 1968 17 April BBC2 World Invitation Champs Pro – Wembley Final Wood (i) 6–3, 10–8
Ken Rosewall 65. 1968 28 April Bournemouth Open Final Clay 3–6, 6–2, 6–0, 6–3
Rod Laver 63. 1968 7 May NTL Wembley Invitation Pro Final Wood (i) 6–0, 6–1, 6–0
Rod Laver 64. 1968 18 May NTL Madison Square Garden Pro – New York City Final Carpet (i) 4–6, 6–3, 9–7, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 66. 1968 9 June French Open – Stade Roland Garros Paris Final Clay 6–3, 6–1, 2–6, 6–2
Rod Laver 65. 1968 22 September Pacific Southwest Open – Los Angeles Final Hard (i) 4–6, 6–0, 6–0[lower-alpha 8]
Rod Laver 66. 1968 10 December Nashville - Dixie Tennis Classic Final Carpet (i) 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 67. 1969 8 February Philadelphia Open Semifinal Carpet (i) 6–4, 6–2
Rod Laver 68. 1969 11 February Orlando Pro Final Clay 6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver 69. 1969 25 February Oakland Pro Semifinal Carpet (i) 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 70. 1969 21 May BBC2 World Pro – Wembley Final Wood (i) 8–6, 6–0
Rod Laver 71. 1969 22–24 May Dutch Pro Champs – Amsterdam and Eindhoven Round robin Clay 6–2, 1–6, 6–3
Rod Laver 72. 1969 8 June French Open – Stade Roland Garros Paris Final Clay 6–4, 6–3, 6–4
Rod Laver 73. 1969 14 July U.S. Pro – Brookline Semifinal Hard 6–3, 5–7, 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 74. 1969 17 August Fort Worth Pro Final Hard 6–3, 6–2
Ken Rosewall 67. 1969 17 October Hamburg – One-night stand Indoors 2–6, 7–5, 8–6
Rod Laver 75. 1970 22 March Dunlop Sydney Open – White City [17] Final Grass 3–6, 6–2, 3–6, 6–2, 6–3
Rod Laver 76. 1970 1 June St Louis WCT Final Carpet (i) 6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver 77. 1970 16 July Tennis Champions Classic Pro – New York City Final Carpet (i) 6–4, 6–3, 6–3
Rod Laver 78. 1970 1 August Louisville WCT Semifinal Clay 6–4, 1–6, 6–1
Rod Laver 79. 1970 15 December Masters, Tokyo Round robin Carpet (i) 5–6, 6–3, 6–5
Rod Laver 80. 1971 2 January Tennis Champions Classic Pro – New York Carpet (i) 6–3, 6–2, 7–5
Ken Rosewall 68. 1971 15 July Washington WCT Round of 16 Clay 5–7, 6–3, 6–1
Rod Laver 81. 1971 1 August Fort Worth WCT Quarterfinal Hard 7–5, 5–7, 6–2
Rod Laver 82. 1971 3 October Berkeley WCT Final Hard 6–4, 6–4, 7–6
Ken Rosewall 69. 1971 18 November WCT Finals, Houston and Dallas Final Carpet (i) 6–4, 1–6, 7–6, 7–6
Rod Laver 83. 1972 13 February U.S. Pro Indoor – Philadelphia WCT Final Carpet (i) 4–6, 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
Rod Laver 84. 1972 20 February Toronto WCT Final Carpet (i) 6–1, 6–4
Rod Laver 85. 1972 9 April Houston River Oaks WCT Final Clay 6–2, 6–4
Ken Rosewall 70. 1972 14 May WCT Finals, Dallas Final Carpet (i) 4–6, 6–0, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6
Ken Rosewall 71. 1973 12 May WCT Finals, Dallas 3rd place Carpet (i) 6–3, 6–2
Rod Laver 86. 1973 10 November Australian Indoors, Sydney Semifinal Hard (i) 6–4, 3–6, 8–6
Ken Rosewall 72. 1976 15 February WCT Avis Challenge Cup Round robin Carpet 6–4, 6–1, 6–3[lower-alpha 9]
Ken Rosewall 73. 1976 8 April Houston River Oaks WCT (first Tour) Round of 16 Clay 3–6, 6–4, 6–3
Ken Rosewall 74. 1977 4 February Green Bay, WI Tour Indoors 7-6, 7-5

Other matches:

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 (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

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