Connors US Open 1974 v Rosewall 2/2

Your watching two of the greatest players. Rosewall was one of the best players for 26 years (in the Top 20 from 1952 to 1977). Ken Rosewall won his last tournaments in Hong Kong and Tokyo (Gunze Open) at the age of 43. Jimmy Connors reached the World No. 1 ranking in July 1974, and held it for 160 straight weeks--that was the world record of straight weeks being number one until Roger Federer. Over the course of his career, he held the World No. 1 ranking for a total of 268 weeks.

Yes, Jimmy thrashed Ken Rosewall, but how incredible it was that a man nearly 40 was playing for the championship. It would be pretty astounding to see this again. The closest to this we'd later see (on the women's side) was Martina's run to the Wimbledon final in 1994 - she was a few months shy of 38. She wasn't blown off the court either - losing in three hard-flought sets to Conchita Martinez. She would win one more grand-slam (m. doubles) title in 2006 - a month short of age 50 (US Open).

nobody complained about Ken beating an old Pancho Segura. The thing that Ken had was a quick lateral step over most guys who serve and volley. That step frustrated so many players even when he was in his late 40's but Kenny didn't play well others who had that quick lateral step particularly with Connors. In this case, age didn't matter.

3:08 That is amazing !!

I don't know if we will ever see a 39 year old in Tennis again.

Chris Everett got married too young and from what I hear Connors was a jerk to her.

karma came around for connors when mcenroe thumped him at the '84 wimbledon.

Trabert and Summerall were great together.

thts my uncle

they also played wimbledon final that year....and connors won the match also easily.......rosewall was 39, he was born in 1934........his first grand slam final had been in 1953, winning the AO.....genious KEN

Rosewall was 38.
Conners won, but not despite of the age difference....

Rosewall was 39. He was born on November 2, 1934.