I had never seen him Mr. Laver play and all I can say is "WOW"! I can see why he was a champion and was called "the Rocket". I know he is loved and highly respected by many, and because of all his accomplishments, the "Laver Cup" was created and was very successful which just tells us all what a true and great champion Rod Laver was! I thank who ever put this video up - it was totally awesome to watch!

@donna25871

4 жыл бұрын

M. P. Laver’s nickname ‘Rocket’ came from his early days in Rockhampton - his coach would complain about his speed around the court and how slow he was. So the nickname was a bit of a joke (from Australian Story)

This is the first time for me seeing Laver in action. His court coverage (among other things!) is amazing and recalls what Gretsky once said "I don't skate to where the puck IS, I skate to where it WILL BE." Same with Laver, he never seems to be chasing a shot, but rather, anticipating it on the run. Sick.

I’d forgotten how good Laver was. He could live with Djokovic and Federer given the advances in equipment and fitness. This video shows the ball better than some modern ones.

First time seeing Laver play. I understand now why he's considered the greatest tennis player of all time. An absolute pleasure to watch.

@davidforbes2795

2 жыл бұрын

Watch Pancho Gonzales!

@jonglewongle3438

2 жыл бұрын

Laver has those two CALENDER Grand Slams. But it was too close to call between Laver and Rosewall head to head. Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal are the three actually greatest players of all time.

@lloydkline1518

2 жыл бұрын

Rod laver is my old sports books ❤️ watchinh him play tennis

@stevencoardvenice

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I grew up in the 90s. Laver is like perfect fundamentals. That crosscourt backhand passing shot was insane. Dude is a computer

@noahbody9782

Жыл бұрын

Amazing to watch. Probably not factually true, but it's like he was never coached and it all just came naturally.

I'm a BIG fan of both of these 2. Watched Laver in the '80's play Team tennis live in Newport Bch., and Connors in Palm Springs. These guys got me hooked and I'm still playing singles 30 yrs later! Lucky me!

As great as Connors was, and one can easily see how his power was so effective against anybody at this time...WOW it's so evident that Laver, even a couple years past his prime, could compete against anybody in the world. He had every shot in the book and in my opinion, was the greatest player that ever lived. Not just by winning two grand slams 8 years apart, but then being able to compete at this level against the terrifying Connors at this stage of his career. Incredible.

@SuperHammaren

8 жыл бұрын

+Jack Kitchen Well Connors could compete at the highest level also at higher age, 39 in US-Open 91.. in 90 he beat Edberg in the Open, World 2 at the time. But hat off for Lavers grandslams.

@alanchong7513

8 жыл бұрын

SuperHammaren So who is better? Connors or Laver? Or in the words of Yoda..." There is another.."

@SuperHammaren

8 жыл бұрын

Alan Chong Hard that one, perhaps Laver anyway because of his best years, not the ones after 30. He was not allowed to play Slams between 63-68(I think). I think he would have done good there. But it is indeed close. Both are legends for sure.

@alanchong7513

8 жыл бұрын

SuperHammaren I reckon this is the best matchup in history! Can anyone name a matchup with bigger names than these two legends combined? I can only suggest Federer vs Nadal or Federer vs Sampras.

@alanchong7513

8 жыл бұрын

+Alan Chong McEnroe vs Borg is right up there too, on reflection.

i love the backcourt, slightly-above-ground-level POV of the camera! some of the old wooden racquet era games can look relatively anemic when the footage was shot from the typical crow's next camera position, but get close to the court & you really get a sense of how incredibly fast the pro game is, even then. also, at that level the camera operator has to pan to follow the ball, and even zooms in when laver or conners goes to the net - it's so kinetic. nowadays the default camera position is fixed & high up, and court level shots are mostly reserved for slow-mo replays. what we see here is imho so much more exciting.

@gvivo2120

3 жыл бұрын

That it is exactly what I miss with the older telecasts: the view and angle relative to the tennis court and how you FREQUENTLY get almost the linesman's perspective even for at least a few seconds of active play.

This really surprised me. Laver was a bit before my time and I've never really watched him play. I really surprised at the pace and the power of the tennis in this footage. And this was when Laver was near the end of his career as well. One thing's for certain, if he'd had the benefit of today's equipment Laver would have definitely been just as successful in today's game.

@erikthehalfabee6234

4 жыл бұрын

Actually you can not be sure. Tennis is a much broader sport nowadays, so Laver might just be a top 50 player. Also he would need to change to become a baseline player, everybody is nowadays.

@chrisk8187

4 жыл бұрын

Erik, ALL the players were serve and volley baseline players back then. I think that "style" of tennis is more exciting to watch instead of the long baseline rallies that most of the points are played.

@Alexander-dt2eq

4 жыл бұрын

he could win lots of doubles slams though. The quality of his volleys shows tremendous feel, but you have to take into account that racquets were much heavier back then giving you more stability also. So maybe for volleys current tech does not help, for groundstrokes and spin though current racquets are the best

@hadesdescent6664

4 жыл бұрын

Every point is played at the net. And max 5-7 shot rallies! How would Laver last long from the base line, with rare occasions of coming to the net? Nowadays he would be among top 30, but winning the Grand Slam, hardly and rarely!

@johnoneill7947

4 жыл бұрын

@@erikthehalfabee6234 Laver beat Ashe who beat Connors who beat Lendl wo beat Aggasi who beat Federer, etc

What an elegance and accuracy in ever Laver's stroke (forehand, backhand, volley, pasing shot) ; there were strong reasons because Mr. Laver won 2 times all four grand slam tournaments in the same year (62 and 69) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy cow! Rod Laver was magnificent.

Laver was 37 years old and hadn't played a pro match in almost 6 months. He only played for the $50,000 payday and he more than carried his own. What is evident is his mastery of almost every shot in the tennis vocabulary.

@Surcoufful

Жыл бұрын

it makes you admire Gonzales for beating him in New York!! [laver]

@joemarshall4226

Сағат бұрын

Connors was 25, at the height of his powers.

Can't believe how quick Laver is here in his mid-30s. Wow

@jesusmorenopostigo197

4 жыл бұрын

The Rocket

Very fast game, better than most players nowadays, and with that mediocre rackets, they did miracles each point!

Rod Laver simply has no equal and never will. But rarely do we ever actually see footage of him playing. What's fascinating to me is his insane volley skills.

My god!!! I’ve never could imagine Rod Laver been a serve and volley master. What an elegant way to play tennis. So impressive!!!!

This is the first time I am watching Rod laver in action.Thank you so much for the post.

Totally agree! You can see in this video just how good Laver's technique is, not to mention his athleticism. If he had grown up in today's world, he would definitely be a top player, given all the training improvements we have since his time.

Pete Sampras said that Rod Laver was his hero and he modeled his game on him.

@jameskwan5008

2 жыл бұрын

Pete Sampras and Roger both know that Laver is the true GOAT

Fantastic stuff. Connors really hit those hard flat shots when he was young. Great returns here. Laver is unbelievable. I wish I could have seen him play.

You can see here that even well pass his prime why many still consider Rod Laver to be the greatest male tennis play ever. The fact that at this age he can hang with a young Connors is incredible.

@alanchong7513

8 жыл бұрын

You are right on! The best of 1962 & 1969 hanging with the best of 1974!

@mothertree

8 жыл бұрын

yep he is still grinning about it today cause everyone knows...yet he was always humble...true talent shines..thanks mr laver

@pantherablaxxx9930

7 жыл бұрын

Arnold Stephenson Right! I asked myself, "Is it me, or Rod Laver's serve was pretty powerful, and he could still measure up against youngsters???"Simply amazing!

@arnoldjr200040

7 жыл бұрын

Stephanie St-Elien Yeah. With a wooden racquet no doubt.

@pantherablaxxx9930

7 жыл бұрын

Arnold Stephenson Is There a difference? Please tell me.

Like King Roger, an all over the court player, a true Boss. It was my childhood dream to watch Rod and Ken Rosewall hitting the ball. Great to see them now in KZread.

@lakipacino

5 жыл бұрын

Novak is the King.

@caldwellkelley3084

4 жыл бұрын

Much as I've loved (on film) watch Rosewall and Laver, my guy is still Lew Hoad! Both he and Laver were cat like quick!

@ensembleSon

5 ай бұрын

⁠ä på å på på öl

I think the pace at which they are hitting the ball is amazing. It makes you wonder how well both of them would day today with unbelievably better equipment.

2 Incredible Players. Two of the Greatest Ever. 🎾🎾

Tennis is timeless. This still gives Excitement.

Rosewall is another amazing legend, though he often gets overlooked because he failed to win Wimbledon. In terms of playing career Ken`s was certainly the longest.. He won his 1st AO in 1953 & last in 1972 [19-years apart].. Even at 43yrs in 1978 he was still good enough to be winning some smaller titles & made the semi-finals at the Australian Open!!

@stevenmac9158

2 жыл бұрын

When he was 39 he made US Open and Wimbledon finals, both against Conners. 6-1,6-0,6-1 (shortest final in US Open history at 1 hr 18 min but Conners was 22?) and 6-1,6-4,6-1 (Wimbledon).. In 1975 at 40 he was seeded 2 at Wimbledon and lost in 4th round. He turned pro in 1957 and was ineligible to play the 4 slams 45 times until 1968. That's insane. The middle of his prime. He won 15 pro slams and 8 grand slams. 23 combined! He won his last slam at 37 years old.

most folks don't realize how great Connors was he still holds the record for most matches won and would be higher if more of the established pros would have not avoided playing him. Also he was ahead of his time in equipment and basically invented the two hand backhand

@charles6762

3 ай бұрын

Was not aware of that will have to check it out thanks@@robertmangano353

@yann664

Ай бұрын

IHe was coached in the two handed backhand. To have invented it he'd have had to come up with it when he was a toddler and he'd have had to show it to Chris Evert too.

@charles6762

Ай бұрын

@@yann664 I misspoke he did not invent he popularized the two handed backhand

Damn! Laver had some pop on that serve. And those fast reflex volleys? Ok, he really is a genuine GOAT contender.

@jameskwan5008

Жыл бұрын

Laver is not the GOAT contender - he is the GOAT

@albertoartuso80

11 ай бұрын

Much better Rosewall. Here connors won easily

laver was awesome! never seen video before thanks for posting!

@liner011f7

4 жыл бұрын

Did Connors throw one set, to make it more respectable?

Awesome footage. A Jimmy Connors in his prime has to produce his best Tennis to fend off a semi-retired, almost 37 years old Rod Laver. Jimmy, known as one of the physically fittest players on tour almost looks like a beanstalk compared to Rod The Rocket! It´s amazing how well Laver covered the court and the net. He did not seem to have any weak spots in his game and that backhand is just sweet.

Holy crap... some of those volleys Laver pulled off were absolutely world class (by any standard... let alone using 70s racquets). As much as I admire Connors and regard him among the best of the best, I think a young Laver would have beaten him.

@stevencoardvenice

9 жыл бұрын

It's incredible Thanks to youtube for seeing this

@hodell82

9 жыл бұрын

Alan Frost I agree. A young Laver would have smoked Connors. He's doing this at 36, which is pretty incredible.

@alanfrost75

9 жыл бұрын

***** Pretty much every pro gets worse and worse after hitting 30, and certainly by the mid-30s. This particularly holds true in tennis. I doubt very much Laver is anywhere near his best here.

@alanfrost75

9 жыл бұрын

***** I meant in overall ability as a tennis player, taking everything into account. I cannot speak specifically for Laver, but I think there is a reason almost all tennis players are done by 30-35. He is ancient here by tennis standards.

@GinDubonnet

8 жыл бұрын

+Alan Frost Yeah. I agree with your assessment of the relative abilities of Connors and Laver. Laver in his prime is too fast, too good with the racquet head. Here, he still has some of the touch he would have had in his youth, but not as much of the foot speed. That would equalize for Connors's harder groundstrokes. Laver's net game puts him over the top, especially on a slightly faster surface (like this one).

Laver was one of a kind. Amazing player!

@johnholmes912

2 жыл бұрын

he wasn't one of a kind. there were a lot of great players in his era, which is why it is regarded as the golden era

@charles6762

11 ай бұрын

LAVER AVOIDED PLAYING HIM FOR YEARS

Great post. This is incredible footage of two of the all-time greats' careers merging (however briefly it did). They are both killing the ball and yet playing with unbelievable deftness, dexterity, and control. They are both playing at a very high level, but particularly, this may be the best I have ever seen Laver play. As great and dominant as Laver was in the 1960's, I'm not sure he didn't get better with age into the mid to late 70's. Just great stuff by both players.

The best tennis clip in the net, camera close to the players. Rod and Jimmy, impressive lefty players. I love how Rod hit low volleys.

@opencurtin

7 жыл бұрын

It would be interesting how Laver would fair in the modern game ..

@eselsdistel

7 жыл бұрын

With today's gear and training methods he would probably beat the hell out of everyone, Federer included. If with Roger you always have the impression he always has something elegant for every situation no matter how hard up his sleeve, Laver gave me an even stronger impression of superiority. Not as fast or strong as his opponent, and with perfect positioning, perfect timing, wonderful technique and a lot of brains he still schooled in so many points. I'm really impressed with Laver.

What impresses me most about Laver is his speed, the guy has good defensive foot work, and especially as a 36 year old in this video. His slice also has very impressive pace I would say. If only fantasies could be fulfilled, and we could see all the greats of tennis play with each other in their primes.

@rc-darkangel774

5 жыл бұрын

And just think ...Pacho Gonzalez beat Laver, Conners and Borg .....and he was older than the Rocket! We are slaves to our own time.

Laver vs Bjorg footage is also entertaining. More entertaining than most modern matches.

I've never seen anything like those backhand passing shots by Laver! Breathtaking

Any youngsters out there who think the old guys can't measure up to today's talent need to watch this video. Lave is already well passed is his prime, and he's still hanging in there with the world's then #1 player, Jimmy Connors. You transport Rod Laver in his prime to 2019 and give him a few months to get used to the new racquets, strings, etc., and I guarantee you he would be in the top 10 players in the world within a year, and most likely back to number 1 with a year or so after that. I got to meet him and see him play in person once in Charlotte, North Carolina around the same time as this video was made, and he was still amazing. And...he was a perfect gentleman, something the game had lost until Federer brought back to "cool factor" of being a good sport.

You can really see Lavers looping heavy topspin continental forehand with a short backswing

I read Rod Laver's biography many years ago, I learned how he was born in Queensland, how he loved to fish in the barrier reef, how was tennis in Australia and then with that bunch of professionals playing all over the map for a few dollars. He said he had a contract with a tennis shoes maker and sometimes he received cheques of 7 dollars. It was very interesting to learn so many things about the sport and the old champions like Pancho González, and then the Open era arrived when he was 30, and yet he could win a second Grand Slam in 1969. You could see how he was humble and a true sportsman. I only had the chance to see him in tv, he was amazing, small, but very fast and strong, his technique far superior to todays players, perhaps with the only exception of Federer

Ah, Dunlop Fort vs. Wilson T2000. I remember those long-gone days. And such terrific tennis, with two of the best at the time. Rod Laver's reflexes, especially at the net, were simply awesome and Jimmy Connors's power and precision were staggering.

I have been fortunate to have seen Laver play Ken Rosewall on clay. I also saw Connors play Rosewall on clay. At that time no one hit the ball harder consistently as Jimmy Connors. Jimmy would “pound from the ground “. He hit the ball hard and flat with low net clearance. Connors was an “ all court player who would follow in his devastating shots and hit a volley to close the point. His racquet The Wilson T 2000 was a metal frame with a unique string system. It produced a lot of pace if you could control it like Connors. I got to watch Connors play live quite a few times and learned to apply his style of play and court coverage. Check KZread for the Connors match at the US Open when Connors was 38 years old if you like to see an old guy hustle and stay in a point as Jimmy use to say.

I never knew how good Laver was until I saw this video. This is Laver at the end of his career and Conners at his beginning. Laver had such amazing court presence and shot making ability. He had all the shots and a great touch. Not one unforced error in this short clip. I truly believe a player with the skills of Laver today would dominate tennis just like Laver did in the 1960s.

I was a kid during this time and had no interest in tennis but started playing in the early 80's so I only heard about RL. Thanks to you tube I am like what the fuck this guy could play now and be champ 30 years from now and be champ. I get how when its era you think only your players are the best, but that's bullshit. Connors could play now and be champ because of his heart. I can't wait until all these old school videos are cleaned up and brought into modern times.

I loved them both. Rod is the bigger name, player and legend I think. Jimmy brought a power to the game. At the time, they said no one had hit harder and for longer than Jimmy. Then Becker Agassi and now the big hitting larger framed super athlete players are hitting harder than ever. The gasps that Laver's passing shots brought, were because at the time, they were really something. Now, they all hit wonder shots every game from everywhere on the court. When Laver was winning his Slams, hardly any other player had a topspin backhand. Only Lew Hoad previously had used it. I loved the game in Emerson and Laver days and I have loved it every era through. It is still fantastic and we are blessed with the present era indeed

Laver was SO good at the net! :o

I sat next to Rod Laver at Wimbledon two year ago. It was a real honour. We were watching Sinner v Djokovic. I asked him what he thought they'd be like if they were playing with wooden racquets. He said he'd give them a run for their money in his prime but their fitness was on another level. Connors was arguably the first of the truly fit modern era players. At 37 Laver was 14 years older than Connors when this game was played. Often matches of this era seem slow when we watch them on the screen. Not this one. These two were two of the greats. I don't think they'd have stood a chance against Novak or Roger. But we will never know.

so great! thank you for posting this!

Wow Laver was a phenomenal volleyer. Only guy that I can think of that might compare as a volleyer is Sampras. His serve is so quick, reminds me of Dolgopolov style. He was also really athletic. Now I see why he is among the best of all time with Fed and Sampras

Connors played like a warrior, full of ferocious drive and spirit. There's never been any player I've supported as much as him.

The way tennis coverage looks has changed, but the ever familiar sound of that racket string hitting the ball....that wil never change!

This is the first time I have seen Laver properly, and apart from all his other assets, I think he has the most poetic, fluid backhand I have ever seen. When he times that thing he just smokes it. I remember he knocked around with Sampras at Wimbledon in the 90's and was still hitting those supreme backhands.

@Gregoryt700

8 жыл бұрын

It's true, but it's also fun comparing eras. Newcombe once said Vilas had an even better backhand than Laver (after Vilas won the 74 Masters on grass beating Newcombe, Borg and Nastase)

@opencurtin

7 жыл бұрын

A magician ...

@RobertKekuna

7 жыл бұрын

If you tried to hit a backhand like Vilas your arm would fall off. Laver's backhand is more economical.

Même chose pour moi, première fois que je vois Rod Laver jouer. Je suis très impressionné : ça va vite, les détentes au filet sont dingues; ce gars aurait définitivement fait un carton aujourd'hui!

Amazing tennis from two all-time greats playing with archaic racquets. Connors was the Mike Tyson of men's tennis at this time taking on the man who had dominated the sport over the past 15 years.

At about 2.33 a guy in the crowd chomping on a Cigar how times have changed .lol

I saw this match live on TV back in 1975. But missed the ending as I had to catch a bus. Heard the result on the bus radio. This is a match all tennis fans should watch for it's historical significance!

Thank you so much for posting this. The shot making was unbelievable between these two. Great stuff.

Now I understand the ovation for our Rod Laver. Greetings from Australia😊❤

I love how hard yet effortless Laver hits his serves. He's only 5'8, using wooden rackets, yet he's blasting them at a buck 20. That the doesn't leap for the ball but keeps one leg on the ground, allowing him to gain extra leverage is a big reason for his speed.

@MrPernell27

8 жыл бұрын

Laver never hit a serve anywhere near 120mph. Never! Secondly he doesn't leap off the ground because up until about 1972 it was against the rules for your front foot to leave the ground on your serve. Leaping off the ground would give you a higher elevation,which gives more power.

Love the sound of the old wood frames and gut strings.

This really gave me a perspective for these guys. From most of the old footage, it seemed like the pace of tennis back then was SOOOO slow, but these guys HIT!

@alanfrost75

10 жыл бұрын

Absolutely... and if you consider what it is they are hitting with it is even more impressive. Those racquets had sweet spots the size of an acorn.

@spiritxfly

10 жыл бұрын

Alan Frost It's really remarkable! Not only they hit, how they run it's unbelievable! No steroids then nothing fishy!

How nice it was tennis years ago ... technique, serve & volley, net game, wrist game, voleè, demi voleè, smash ... and above all how elegant the backhand attack was ... nowadays tennis has become baseball! Laver was truly a phenomenon ... not for this reason he is the last player to have won the grand slam and the only one to have won it together with Don Badge (Laver even twice, in 1962 as an amateur and in 1969 as a professional)

Laver was 36 going on 37 at this time, and he gave Connors a good run for his money. Laver has always been the most complete player I’ve ever seen, with the possible exception of McEnroe in ‘84 and Federer at his peak. I wish everyone who blathers about how slow and dull “old” tennis was would watch this clip. To me, this is far more interesting than most modern matches because it’s a contest of positioning, more so than just power.

This is great stuff. Thanks for posting it. I had heard of these "winer take all" matches when I was like 6 years old, but don't remember watching it. awesome.

Wow these guys were sooo good... they would definitely still be on top even if they played now with today's technology

Rocket was a genius! His shot selection, placement, reaction times were phenomenal! No wonder he's the only player to win two full grand slams in one calender year. Put a small racquet in any modern player (federer included) and Rod would have given them a lesson or three. In my opinion, he is the greatest player ever.

@toastyregent1448

2 жыл бұрын

Federer goat now

The speed and reflexes of laver are ridiculous for a 36 year older, absolutely ridiculous.

You can see in this video the complete game of Laver. There is no doubt in his prime he is at worst one of the greatest of all time. Laver had a much more varied game than Federer and with his huge left arm more power also, especially with the rackets of today. No shot was beyond his ability.

It seems aussie battler laver is giving a young jimmy connors a tennis lesson rod laver is truly the master of serve and volley

@aaronanderson1118

6 жыл бұрын

JIMMY throttled Rod...if that was the Aussie giving the lesson, nobody told Connors.

As I recall, Laver had retired from the game. Connors issued a challenge to Laver to play in a so-called heavyweight match at LV. Laver took 3 months to prepare. It was a good outcome for all to see.

Laver`s last truly big win was the 1971 Rome final

Laver's volleys puts the current top 10 to shame. Amazingly firm wrist with those planks

saw Laver in 1968 rome tournament....live! never seen anybody like Him.

Better control in those days with the old racquets. Funner to watch.

@chriswoodford4331

4 жыл бұрын

Rob Adamson Fantastic control with primitive gear.

Certainly, Laver is the best combination of talent, variety,risk and spctacularity ever to play tennis

AMAZING Laver!!! Always the right thing at the right time! What an incredible footwork, and what a hand!

I met Ken Rosewald and Rod Laver as a 12 year old kid. Both 5’7” and true gentlemen of the game, and humble.

Wow. Shows you how great Laver was. Cat quick at age 36 and every shot in the book. But Connors was too young and strong.

Que buen partido. Es uno de los buenos que he visto. El gran Rod Lever con uno de los grandes, Jimmy Connors. Que buen tenista era Rod Lever.

That backhand crosscourt passing shot from Laver! 4:32 😍

I am amazed with how hard and EARLY Connors is hitting the ball. this to me is proof that the game has changed far LESS than people think it has in the past 30-or-so years. and I'd say the rosewall 69 R.G looks 'leisurely' because A) rosewall hit with no pace on his backhand and B) it was on slow clay.

I agree their games are the most well-rounded in the history of tennis. Laver was mentally tougher than Federer; he was a true warrior. Laver's backhand is the most beautiful shot ever seen on a tennis court - breathtaking.

FANTASTIC ATHLETIC MANLY TENNIS!!!!

I am not one who believes wood racquets are a terrible disadvantage....I can serve over 120mph with both wood and graphite, and tennis pros can hit the sweetspot with just about anything, but you're right. Fed sometimes has a shankfest with his backhand, it would be BRUTAL on those days were he trying to use one of these racquets. His Backhand would have been picked on mercilessly (as they try to now), and with wood, it would probably break down fairly often.

I think it is not about how Rod would hit the ball nowadays, it is about how current players would perform with wood rackets. What RodL, Ken Rosewall, Pancho G and some others did is the best tennis w those tools, with impressive skills.

@eselsdistel

7 жыл бұрын

I find Laver's technique even more elegant than Federer's... Long, elegant movements, perfect pacing, a lot of power considering he played with wooden rackets... Textbook tennis.

@bobjones9596

6 жыл бұрын

eselsdistel Federer's technique is a lot more elegant than Rod Laver's

@appualliyanaa

5 жыл бұрын

Federer is the only player to excel with a wooden racket on todays top 10

@boraxsopanic2670

4 жыл бұрын

Federer like many others have elegant shots, but few players today are very challenging.

Totally awesome upload-great stuff!!

So these two guys.. legends and all...but these two guys playing with old ass tech rackets and strings, play like THIS?!?!?!?! Damn they are GREAT!!! At today's 4.5 USTA rating level I'm not sure I could even win ONE game off of these guys with their gear of the day. Their timing and foot speed in freaking insane.

First time seeing Laver’s volleys with an image that I can see...wow... He was playing with a totally inferior racquet but his hands were insane. I might say his volleys were one half percent better than my all time favorite McEnroe.

that backhand at 4:30 O_o

It's odd that some say Laver wouldn't keep up with today's game because he'd have trained in today's circumstances if he were playing today, and so his game would be just as successful as he was in his day.

I love these camera angles, makes everything look so face paced.

According to the NY Times, Connors was in control for the first two sets but then Laver started serving better, losing only 3 service pts in the 3rd. After the match Connors left the building with leg cramps, while Laver walked off fine. He'd trained very hard for the match -- later that spring he pushed Borg to five sets on the same surface (nearly beating him in four). So it seems that this four-set match between Connors and Laver fairly represents their abilities in '75.

True, Laver and Federer are some of the best tennis players in history. Jimmy Connors was also quite astonishing, look at the way he tries to beat Laver with the same tactic of moving up close to the net.

@ 2:40 the slow motion has Laver lunging to his right to get one of Jimmy's back-hands. It's not the only time, but Rocket really has GREAT court coverage!

Interesting to see lavers offensive backhand slice and approaching to finish at net...super movement and effortless play

Laver's forehand volley is exceptional.

watching this was like Sampras vs Agassi , absolutuly stunning and fluid

Laver = GOAT. He was 38 in this match against a 23 year old Connors. Laver is still the only player to complete the Grand Slam for men's singles. And he did it twice!

@zebez20

9 жыл бұрын

laver was 36 in this match

@stevencoardvenice

9 жыл бұрын

I thought roger was goat but these youtube clips make me think twice

@EJP286CRSKW

5 жыл бұрын

Donald Budge did in 1937. Jack Crawford missed it by one set in 1934.

From all the clips I've seen of Laver, he appears to be one of the fastest players I've ever seen...any generation

@vb14086

Жыл бұрын

Actually, that's why he got the nickname 'Rocket'. Contrary to what some think, it was for his legendary speed on the court (not to discount that he had every shot in the book, and then some).

Astonishing. Just astonishing. People get a little hyped up with the latest and greatest. The 37yo Laver power and diversity with a flimsy Dunlop max ply is absolutely frightening. Stunning power. Gonzales and hoad were astonishing too. When the dust has settled and all is said and done, laver is the greatest

Tennis greats. Loved them both.