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Ken Rosewall Discusses Pancho Gonzales use of “physical intimidation”
6 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Learning details about tennis history and the great champions of the past is a hobby of mine. Two players of particular intrigue are Kenny “Muscles” Rosewall and Pancho Gonzales who had a world class game and a ferocious intensity to match.
I found Ken Rosewall’s biography “Twenty Years At The Top” by Peter Rowley in a used book store in New York City recently and in it, Rosewall shared some fascinating anecdotes about the legendary Pancho…
“…a heckler repeatedly criticized Gonzales at Boston Garden. Gonzales said, ‘You’re entitled to your opinions but I think you should keep them to yourself, so will you please shut up?’
Gonzales missed an easy net shot. The man yelled again. Gonzales tossed a ball to hit it hard at the man, but held himself back momentarily and then struck it softly at the spectator. The man got up to leave and Gonzales ran after him, seizing him by the collar. A basketball player, Dick Hemric, standing nearby, walked over. ‘You’re not going to hit him, are you, Pancho?’ No, I just wanted to let him know he wasn’t an ideal spectator.’ Gonzales won 6-2, 5-7, 24-22.”
When Rosewall was asked who were the least sportsmanlike players, avoiding a direct answer, Ken observed, ‘Connors earlier troubles stemmed from Nastase, who got them from Tiriac.’
About Gonzales, Rosewall added, “I tried to ignore his outbursts on the court, such as when he smashed his racquet against the metal rod holding the microphone and broke the rod in half. There was a terrific uproar before the crowd of 14,000 in Adelaide. In Boston Garden, he seized the lapels of the Boston Garden physician Dr. Edward R. Brown. He died recently. He nearly died then, too. It was noticeable Gonzales’ game would pick up after explosions and my game would go off a little, losing concentration.
“I think Gonzales may have tried to physically intimidate me, frighten me, by his violence on the first pro tour. But he did it with everyone. He was naturally like that, and I don’t think he did it deliberately.”
“There was some pushing and shoving with other players, though he never pushed me. He and Trabert were always at each other. He never tried anything with Hoad. Lew was very strong. Gonzales always looked as though he was going to fight, but I don’t think he ever wanted to.”
Question: Why in an interview with him in about 1970 was he rating you below other stars, many of whom you were clearly superior to?
Ken Rosewall: “I think if you beat a man a lot, you tend to have a low opinion of his game, even if he is a very good player and beats about everyone else. I think that’s why he said it (referring to Gonzo’s 2-1 victory in their tour).”
Question: Do you think he harbored any old grudge because you were the one that ended his dominance?
Ken Rosewall: “I and others did.”
Question: Why do you think he gives you some credit such as praising your training habits and your always being in position for the ball?
Ken Rosewall: “He has to give me some credit [laughs]. He always did recognize my ability to move.”
"Tried to physically intimidate · frighten me."
Dan Markowitz · August 16, 2010 at 12:07 am
Pancho was a tough cuss. Rosewall’s nickname was “nails,” enough said. Never got to see Gonzo play, but heard the other Pancho, Segura, even though he had rickets so bad as a child that he never wore shorts on the court, was just an amazing player.
Loved Ken’s slice backhand, but he was a pretty stoic player and when he got ripped by Connors in the ’74 Wimbledon finals, seemed like he was totally out-classed. Of course, Jimbo was 16 years younger.
Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Pancho was a character beyond all characters, tennis sorely misses that kind of colorfulness today, imagine how much the TV ratings would skyrocket if there was a Mexican American like Pancho in the game today.
carlos millan · September 12, 2010 at 2:19 am
I have been an admirer of Ken Rosewall for many years.
Saw him play in Colordo once on a tour with Emerson, Nwecombe, Anderson and others.
Whre does he coach/live at present?
Peter Rowley · September 14, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Rosewall and his wife live in Sydney, Australia where he has always lived.
Scoop Malinowski · September 14, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Thanks for the update Peter. Thought he lived in America as he was a guest at the US Open this year and a couple years ago. I really enjoyed your book about Ken Rosewall. Thank you for visiting our site.
David · November 19, 2010 at 6:21 pm
“Nails” was the nickname of Bob Carmichael, not Rosewall (“Muscles” for his fitness).