ROSEWALL LOBBED

No one lobbed more effectively – and faced more hot-to-trot attackers on fast surfaces – than Ken Rosewall.

His approach was to lob early and often, floating deadly accurate lobs off both sides down-the-line and crosscourt.

Well aware that many of his lobs might well be smashed away early on, Rosewall knew his use of the shot was both physically and mentally taxing. Opponents would get worn out – and even more to Rosewall’s favor, the threat of yet another lob kept his opponents from getting imposingly close to the net.

Rosewall was also a master at following the lobs that went over his opponent’s head into the net – as well as tracking down overheads and either sending up another lob or feathering a difficult passing shot.

“Every point with Rosewall,” says his fellow Aussie Hall of Famer, Roy Emerson, “was World War III.”