Ken Rosewall's Quest: Four Finals, No Wimbledon Titles
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Chapter 1: The Legacy of Wimbledon Finals
The Gentlemen's Singles division at the Wimbledon Championships, inaugurated in 1877, features many players who have made multiple bids for the prestigious grass court title. While some have succeeded, others have fallen short, yet their relentless pursuit of victory has created unforgettable moments in the tournament's history.
Prominent figures such as Ilie Năstase and Ivan Lendl reached the finals numerous times without claiming the trophy. More recently, players like Patrick Rafter and Andy Roddick have faced similar fates, finishing as finalists but without success. A notable story is that of Goran Ivanišević, who, after three unsuccessful finals, made history in 2001 by becoming the lowest-ranked player and the first wild card to win Wimbledon.
Going back further in time, during the amateur era prior to 1968, we find the tale of Jaroslav Drobný. A Czech by birth, Drobný played as an Egyptian citizen before acquiring British citizenship. After making his debut at the All England Club in 1938, he was a runner-up in the 1949 final, losing to American Ted Schroeder in a five-set match.
Drobný returned to the final in 1952 but was decisively outperformed by Australian Frank Sedgman. Undaunted, at the age of 32, Drobný reached the final for the third time, ultimately claiming victory against a 19-year-old newcomer in four sets.
The 1954 Wimbledon Championships could have seen a sequel to this story, had Ivanišević not triumphed in a thrilling five-set match against Rafter.
Section 1.1: Rosewall's Early Attempts
Two years later, in 1956, Ken Rosewall found himself in the finals again, this time against fellow Australian Lew Hoad, the tournament's top seed. Hoad was the reigning champion at both the Australian and French Opens, having previously defeated Rosewall on the grass courts of Brisbane.
Hoad required four sets to secure his Wimbledon victory, with Rosewall only managing to win the second set. This marked another disappointment for Rosewall, who had to wait an additional 14 years for his next chance to claim the elusive title at the All England Club.
In 1970, having already won the other three major tournaments, Rosewall aimed to complete his career Grand Slam. The top five seeds were all Australians, with Rosewall being the fifth seed. He had a smooth journey to the final, dropping only two sets along the way. Facing another compatriot, the second seed John Newcombe, Rosewall started strong, winning the first set (7–5), but ultimately lost the next two (6–3, 6–2). He managed to force a deciding set but succumbed to Newcombe in the end (6–1), marking his third final loss at Wimbledon.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Final Attempt
As the 1974 tournament approached, Rosewall was nearing his 40th birthday. He had not participated in either the 1972 or 1973 tournaments, the latter being boycotted by ATP players. Entering as the ninth seed, he dropped just one set in his initial matches.
Rosewall faced young Roscoe Tanner in the Round of 16, winning in four sets. He then avenged his previous loss to Newcombe in the quarter-finals, defeating the top seed comfortably (6–1, 1–6, 6–0, 7–5). In the semi-finals, he faced Stan Smith, the fourth seed and 1972 champion, overcoming a two-set deficit to win (6–3).
This led Rosewall to his fourth Wimbledon final, two decades after his first appearance. His opponent, Jimmy Connors, was enjoying a stellar season, having lost only two of his 58 matches before the final. Connors dominated the match, winning decisively with scores of 6–1, 6–1, 6–4, capturing his first title at the All England Club.
Chapter 2: Reflections on a Near Miss
Looking back, Rosewall's ability to win six games against a formidable Connors in the final was commendable. Just weeks later, in the US Open final, he managed to win only two games, with Connors delivering a historic 6–1, 6–0, 6–1 victory, which remains the shortest men's singles final in Grand Slam history at just 1 hour and 18 minutes.
Returning to Wimbledon, Rosewall's failure to convert any of his four final opportunities means he has not achieved the career Grand Slam. He stands out as the only player to lose four finals at the All England Club without ever winning the championship—a record that, while unfortunate, highlights his status as a legend of the sport.
Today, as we reflect on the past, it is worth noting that with Ivanišević winning the coveted trophy in his fourth attempt, Rosewall remains the sole holder of this unwanted record. Five decades have passed since that disappointing defeat to Connors, and as he approaches his 90th birthday in November, Ken Rosewall is arguably the greatest player never to have won the Gentlemen's Singles title at Wimbledon, despite competing in four finals over a span of 20 years.
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