Man "The Rocket" was great. I grew up playing in the 80's, where the highlight matches I remember were of the Australian Open: Pat Cash vs. Wilander, and Cash vs. Stefan Edberg were my favorite matches. I really miss the days of the painted faces in the stands, including a little guy by the name of Lleyton Hewitt! Hopefully the U.S and Australia get back to the glory days they once had in tennis. It will only happen when the hunger comes back though. Too many "suits" & gutless players these days
@theatlantean1 The funny thing is, the nick-name The Rocket was one given him ironically by the great Harry Hopkins. As Laver himself told it once in an interview, when he first came to train at Hopkins' legendary tennis camp(as did Lew Hoad, Maureen Connolly, Margaret Smith Court, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewell, John Newcombe, Fred Stolle, Tony Roche, et. al.) everybody felt he was a bit lethargic on the court and didn't run well enough, hence - and with great affection - the nickname "Rocket."
OMG!!!!!!!! at 2:26 , I can't stop smiling, laver playing with a ball in his hand for the second serve. :) brilliant. There were just some awsome touches in this match
yea laver was part of the over the top electricity of the sixties...I was an over the top baseball player at the time, I played a little tennis, was also a sprinter, but not anything great...seeing laver got me into an attitude of awe and respect for tennis, on sampras he's great, but laver was electric...
I'm delighted and excited by your comment. I'm 30 and most of all a big Sampras fan, but seeing this "short man" (with much respect) with a wooden racket hitting so cleanly, powerfully and accurately is just inspiring.
And Laver is the GOAT. He missed his prime years for grand slams. Fed can be compared to , Laver, but Laver is so much mentally stronger. Quit mentioning Nadal and Laver in the same sentence - Laver's game is so much purer.
LOL. Newcombe DOES look like Roach without his trademark mustache !! These two hit such solid shots with wood - true Masters. Laver hits with so much Authority contrasted with delicate touch. A real treat to watch. Kudos!!!
laver also won the pro slam during his pro career in bewteen amateur and open era slams, so, you might say 3 calendar slams.
to give you an idea of how strong the pro slams were, the French Pros in 1967 invited the amateur French Open champion to play in the Pro French Slam - an he was routinely beaten 6/0 6/1 6/1 - IN ROUND 1!! the Pros was where it was at, make no mistake about that people.
I know these are only hihlights but I am totally gob smacked how good Laver is.. Not one shot in the book missing from this guy, Finesse,creativity,top forehand/backhand,anticipation,speed of a mouse,return of serve,smash,lob,serve..and Laver is only 5"8, wooden racquet, 2 Calender slams,GS double and mixed,davis cups...oh yeh and longevity way till his late 30's...the guy is a freak!!!
He had a freakishly HUGE left forearm (like a Lobster Claw) which explains alot. For 5'8" he was a GIANT who hit many aces and killed anything over his head. A complete all court player. Amazing to watch in person. :):):)
unbelievable 1962 wins all four turns pro goes missing for 7 year comes back in 1969 wins four in row again. laver would have won 30 grand slams he missed out on his prime seven years not playing grand slam tennis. watching him play on this video hes perfection personafied. laver the best ever sampras or federer or bjorg 2nd 3rd 4th
Well he had to miss them since he turned pro in 1962 after the grand slams titles. They only allowed Rod Laver to play grand slams in 1968 when professional were allwed to play in grand slams. After 1968 pro were allowed in grand slams.This was the start of open era and this happened becase amteurs were kicking the crap out of pros. So they allwed amteurs and professional into the game.
I was waiting for Laver to counter any of newcombe's lobs with a between the legs-shot, but I don't think anyone thought of pulling off such a goofy move back then. ^_^
Anyway, thanks for uploading this! I can't get enough of Laver.
Comment removed
zico463 2 months ago
The volley lob @7:49 was just nasty..
roo7227 8 months ago
Stunning, how well they hit the ball with little wood racquets!!! Masterful and entertaining. One for the ages. 1969
JJLOB 1 year ago 2
you can CLEARLY notice where did Sampras got his game from.... : D
drugstoremarc 1 year ago 2
Man "The Rocket" was great. I grew up playing in the 80's, where the highlight matches I remember were of the Australian Open: Pat Cash vs. Wilander, and Cash vs. Stefan Edberg were my favorite matches. I really miss the days of the painted faces in the stands, including a little guy by the name of Lleyton Hewitt! Hopefully the U.S and Australia get back to the glory days they once had in tennis. It will only happen when the hunger comes back though. Too many "suits" & gutless players these days
theatlantean1 1 year ago
@theatlantean1 The funny thing is, the nick-name The Rocket was one given him ironically by the great Harry Hopkins. As Laver himself told it once in an interview, when he first came to train at Hopkins' legendary tennis camp(as did Lew Hoad, Maureen Connolly, Margaret Smith Court, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewell, John Newcombe, Fred Stolle, Tony Roche, et. al.) everybody felt he was a bit lethargic on the court and didn't run well enough, hence - and with great affection - the nickname "Rocket."
assindiastignani 7 months ago
OMG!!!!!!!! at 2:26 , I can't stop smiling, laver playing with a ball in his hand for the second serve. :) brilliant. There were just some awsome touches in this match
Jamus182 1 year ago
100% tennis!
pablotjob 2 years ago
@pablotjob 100% tennis, 0% ball. I guess we have to flex that imagination.
isselman2000 1 year ago
yea laver was part of the over the top electricity of the sixties...I was an over the top baseball player at the time, I played a little tennis, was also a sprinter, but not anything great...seeing laver got me into an attitude of awe and respect for tennis, on sampras he's great, but laver was electric...
whothehellgivesadamn 2 years ago
I watched him play in 68, his speed and power was so tremendous it was like watching a ping pong game....
whothehellgivesadamn 2 years ago
I'm delighted and excited by your comment. I'm 30 and most of all a big Sampras fan, but seeing this "short man" (with much respect) with a wooden racket hitting so cleanly, powerfully and accurately is just inspiring.
Thetoughestweight1 2 years ago
These were two fine playes - certainly among the best ever - Laver and Newcombe.
Richardhedditch261 2 years ago
laver just dominates his serve with incredible returns. The topspin backhand is amazing with such small racquets.
stevenaho137 2 years ago 2
Laver is Federer with more shots and movement around the court. Laver is the king.
mrbobevans 2 years ago
Newc''s serve looks just like Pat Rafter's.
And Laver is the GOAT. He missed his prime years for grand slams. Fed can be compared to , Laver, but Laver is so much mentally stronger. Quit mentioning Nadal and Laver in the same sentence - Laver's game is so much purer.
mrbobevans 2 years ago 2
That is'nt john newcombe in this vid its Tony Roesch
Fedepras 2 years ago
LOL. Newcombe DOES look like Roach without his trademark mustache !! These two hit such solid shots with wood - true Masters. Laver hits with so much Authority contrasted with delicate touch. A real treat to watch. Kudos!!!
JJLOB 2 years ago
Speculating, speculating... speculating!
Zozim57 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
laver also won the pro slam during his pro career in bewteen amateur and open era slams, so, you might say 3 calendar slams.
to give you an idea of how strong the pro slams were, the French Pros in 1967 invited the amateur French Open champion to play in the Pro French Slam - an he was routinely beaten 6/0 6/1 6/1 - IN ROUND 1!! the Pros was where it was at, make no mistake about that people.
including Pro Slams:
Laver 22 Slams
Gonzalez 22 Slams
Rosewall 26 Slams
renesonce 2 years ago
I know these are only hihlights but I am totally gob smacked how good Laver is.. Not one shot in the book missing from this guy, Finesse,creativity,top forehand/backhand,anticipation,speed of a mouse,return of serve,smash,lob,serve..and Laver is only 5"8, wooden racquet, 2 Calender slams,GS double and mixed,davis cups...oh yeh and longevity way till his late 30's...the guy is a freak!!!
robinho1979 2 years ago 2
He had a freakishly HUGE left forearm (like a Lobster Claw) which explains alot. For 5'8" he was a GIANT who hit many aces and killed anything over his head. A complete all court player. Amazing to watch in person. :):):)
JJLOB 2 years ago
was newcombe known for his floating lobs? he's always floating them up in every video.
teflonmagnet 3 years ago
unbelievable 1962 wins all four turns pro goes missing for 7 year comes back in 1969 wins four in row again. laver would have won 30 grand slams he missed out on his prime seven years not playing grand slam tennis. watching him play on this video hes perfection personafied. laver the best ever sampras or federer or bjorg 2nd 3rd 4th
themios72 3 years ago 2
Well he had to miss them since he turned pro in 1962 after the grand slams titles. They only allowed Rod Laver to play grand slams in 1968 when professional were allwed to play in grand slams. After 1968 pro were allowed in grand slams.This was the start of open era and this happened becase amteurs were kicking the crap out of pros. So they allwed amteurs and professional into the game.
Kishnabe 3 years ago
I was waiting for Laver to counter any of newcombe's lobs with a between the legs-shot, but I don't think anyone thought of pulling off such a goofy move back then. ^_^
Anyway, thanks for uploading this! I can't get enough of Laver.
Nidhogg86 4 years ago
Knowing Laver...out of respect he prolly did not consider trying the shot..but I bet my house he could pull off such tricks with concistency!
robinho1979 2 years ago
wow. laver was really fast.
mdjenders 4 years ago
Textbook = Laver
bradtillack 4 years ago 2
Thank you koreso for sharingthese wonderful clips. Many players and even pros can learn from these great legends. Laver a complete all-round artist!
robinho1979 4 years ago