Rod Laver vs Tony Roche USO F 1969 (4 of 4)

In a furious barrage of astonishing shotmaking by Laver, he seals his Grand Slam triumph in the fourth set. As glorious as a performance on court as he is humility personified when he speaks afterwards to the gallery. 7-9, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to Rod Laver of Australia!

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Rod Laver
• Tony Roche
• Tennis

[cain2335]

you know what i like about Laver? besides him being the greatest to ever play the game, he was, and is, such a humble champion. when he wins, he doesnt jump up and down, scream at the crowd, and cry like todays players. he first goes to the net and shakes him opponents hand first, which i think is very respectful. then, he gives a short, humble speech. such a great champion

[sharpasaneraser]

Thanks, folkstone57!

[Folkstone57]

@sharpasaneraser Roache didn't want the spikes because he drags his back foot so much on his serve.

[Aaronthegreatest]

Laver is so casual even when he wins a spectacular point XD But these guys both really know how to construct a point well....there was more tactics in tennis in these days. Watching these old tennis vids always reminds me how good past players really were.

[Aaronthegreatest]

@Scoclamor Omfg I thought I recognized Bud Collins' voice 0.0; that's crazy!! he sounds so nice in this lol....I'm so used to him being corny and slow-talking, it's weird to hear him with such a good commentator voice.

[Ariamaluum]

@AdamJamesTebble. Inside out cross-court. Wow.

[belitnakoff]

@Scoclamor Fantastic match!

[Scoclamor]

Thanks for posting this. So the final score WAS 7-9, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2, eh? That;s what I've been saying all the time since I saw a pic of the scoreboard back many years ago in a book I had. My tennis pals say, 7-9, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2, that's what it says in the record book. Hmmm, looks like I'm right.

That's Jack Kramer and a young Bud Collins as the commentators, btw!

[sharpasaneraser]

@AdamJamesTebble yup!

[sharpasaneraser]

roche should have been given the option of spike shoes too.