Rod Laver vs. John Newcombe (2 of 2)

Highlights from the last two sets of the 1969 Wimbledon final. Rod Laver d. John Newcombe, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

This was Laver's fourth title at Wimbledon, and his fourth straight victory in four attempts beginning in 1961.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• tennis
• Laver
• Newcombe

[assindiastignani]

@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."

[roo7227]

The volley lob @7:49 was just nasty..

[JJLOB]

Stunning, how well they hit the ball with little wood racquets!!! Masterful and entertaining. One for the ages. 1969

[drugstoremarc]

you can CLEARLY notice where did Sampras got his game from.... : D

[theatlantean1]

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

[isselman2000]

@pablotjob 100% tennis, 0% ball. I guess we have to flex that imagination.

[Jamus182]

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

[pablotjob]

100% tennis!

[whothehellgivesadamn]

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...