Memories of US Open At West Side Tennis Club – Tennis Now

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By Raymond Lee | Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Picture credit score: Elgrafico.com.ar/Wikimedia Commons

Subsequent yr would be the fiftieth anniversary that the US Open has been performed on the USTA-Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Middle in Flushing Meadows, New York.

That’s a very long time.

However do you know that the US Open, referred to as US Nationals earlier than the Open Period was
performed on the outdated West Facet Tennis Membership in Forest Hills, New York 60 instances?

Forest Hills is a group in Queens not removed from Queens Boulevard, the main street within the space. It was then and is now a quiet residential group.

The US Championship which later in 1968 turned the US Open was performed there from 1915 to 1977, often on a grass court docket. Many nice legends performed there like Pancho Gonzalez, Alice Marble, Billie Jean King, Margaret Court docket, Jack Kramer, Rod Laver, Ellsworth Vines, Henri Cochet amongst a zillion others.

Issues have been lots totally different than these days. It was lots quieter and lots much less company.

With the development of tennis and the necessity for a bigger stadium finally, that they had
to maneuver it to a much bigger facility in Flushing Meadow Park.

I grew up attending the US Open, which as you possibly can think about, seemed lots totally different again within the Forest Hills period.

Through the early days of the Open Period, it was an enormous transition from the beginner days to an enormous cash skilled enterprise. You didn’t see the mobs of individuals and all the company sponsorships. Tickets needed to even have been purchased on the ticket sales space not on the Web and scanned on a wise cellphone.

I’m certain some individuals don’t even know what a ticket sales space is these days. Everybody buys
off the web.

Once I went to the US Open for the primary time. I noticed the top of the Julie Heldman versus Billie Jean King match wherein King was upset within the third set by Heldman. The warmth was sweltering though I actually didn’t discover. I in all probability ought to say King retired within the third set moderately than utilizing the time period upset because the match wasn’t totally accomplished with King down 1-4 within the third set.

So, after I left the West Facet Tennis Membership, I assumed maybe I may get tickets to the quarterfinals though it was just some days away. I went to the ticket sales space there exterior the stadium and requested if quarterfinal tickets have been obtainable.

Now the quarterfinals have been on Wednesday that yr. The staffer on the ticket sales space stated quarterfinal tickets have been offered out. That was anticipated. I figured they might be offered out.

Upset, I made a decision to make a joke. I stated “Effectively, in the event you don’t have quarterfinal tickets, do you may have tickets for Wednesday?”

It was a joke in that it was the identical day. I simply assumed he would know.

Then he goes to me, “Sure, I’ve tickets for Wednesday!!” Shocked, I stored a straight face and didn’t say a phrase! I paid him in money and walked away very quickly. I had no thought what occurred and I used to be not going to ask.

I used to be simply strolling across the stadium that Wednesday for the quarters then. I sat down in one of many upper-level seats. Out of the blue I noticed Bud Collins and Rod Laver sitting down just a few toes from me to look at the Vijay Amritraj versus Ken Rosewall match. Vijay had upset Laver earlier within the event in a five-set match. I used to be tempted to speak to them, however I didn’t wish to disturb them. I turned a superb good friend with Bud later and I instructed him about that first time I noticed him in individual.

To offer a little bit info on Vijay Amritraj, Vijay in 1973 was a really younger teenage participant, 19 years outdated I consider then. He had the right classical strokes with a superb forehand and good backhand. He had an enormous first serve and an excellent volley and overhead. I consider his second serve wasn’t the best from what Vijay has stated. Vijay was a rare expertise.

The gifted younger gamers of that point have been Vijay, Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors. Some thought Vijay was essentially the most gifted of the three which says lots for Vijay’s expertise. I’d additionally add Guillermo Vilas and Raul Ramirez to the younger group the tennis consultants thought had large potential.

There’s a well-known story concerning the first match Vijay performed towards Ken Rosewall in his e book Vijay. The essential gist of it was that his coach was the good Pancho Gonzalez. Gonzalez stored mentioning to him to not serve to the legendary Rosewall backhand. He was always mentioning it to Vijay.

Vijay served first and Rosewall apparently moved extraordinarily far to his proper to obtain, virtually within the alley. So, regardless of Gonzalez teaching and recommendation to not serve to one of many legendary pictures of all time, the Rosewall backhand, Vijay thought Rosewall left an excessive amount of of a gap and thought a decently paced serve down the center can be efficient, maybe an ace.

Vijay hit a superb first serve down the center to the good Rosewall backhand and naturally the return zoomed previous him. He thought it was a fluke. He served three extra instances to the Rosewall backhand, every time with the identical outcome. 4 good first serves, 4 Rosewall return winners.

Not precisely the easiest way to begin a match towards the legendary Rosewall. Vijay was amazed. Gonzalez I’m certain was not amazed. Gonzalez left the stadium!

Vijay was now left with out his coach which couldn’t have helped his psychological state of being.

I used to be not watching Rod Laver’s or Bud Collin’s response, however I’m certain they thought to themselves that what simply occurred to Vijay seemed very acquainted and that Rosewall had the whole lot below management.

I consider Laver and Collins left across the first set or maybe early within the second set. Rosewall for these of you who’re curious simply dissected Amritraj in straight units 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

The following yr they each met once more on the US Open. Vijay gained the primary set towards Rosewall 6-2 and led 3-1 within the second. One of many followers there, who I used to see at varied tennis courts within the space turned to me and stated “He (that means Vijay) goes to blow proper by way of him!” I didn’t assume so as a result of at that time I assumed nobody may blow by Ken Rosewall besides Rod Laver or John Newcombe at instances. Rosewall proceeded to win the subsequent 5 video games to win the second set 6-3 and gained the subsequent two units by 6-3 6-2 to finish the win.

Vijay was able to reaching nice heights towards nice gamers. He did very wellagainst Connors, Laver, Nastase, Vilas amongst others. I loved his enjoying fashion and smoothness. He was an incredible expertise and will play nicely on all surfaces.

On the identical day, I don’t bear in mind if it was previous to Amritraj/Rosewall or afterwards, however a match was performed that to me was basically the ultimate of the 1973 US Open. It was a younger upcoming nice participant who had presumably the best return in historical past and doubtless the very best groundstrokes on the planet at that cut-off date versus a former No. 1 who was one of many best serve and volleyers of all time.

It was Jimmy Connors versus John Newcombe!

*Jimmy Connors of the US serves through the Males’s 1974 US Open Tennis Championships circa 1974 at Forest Hills West Facet Tennis Membership. (Picture by Deal with Sport/Getty Pictures*

Newcombe gained the Australian Open earlier within the yr however had not lived as much as the extent
individuals anticipated of John Newcombe since then.

Nonetheless, he was slowly enjoying himself into type. When Newcombe performed Connors on this quarterfinal, he was the Newcombe that gained a number of Wimbledons.

Connors was fairly shut or maybe on the similar degree as he can be in 1974 wherein he gained 3 majors out of three entered with a 99-4 file or a 93-4 relying on the supply. It’s such a disgrace Connors was not in a position to enter the French. We are going to by no means know if he may have gained the Grand Slam that yr.

In some ways you might argue Connors’ season in 1974 is superior to Laver’s Open Grand Slam season or Budge’s Grand Slam in 1938. The proportion file of Connors that yr is superior to Laver’s or Budge’s Grand Slam years. Connors gained 15 tournaments on each floor. He gained on clay, onerous court docket, indoor carpet and naturally on grass. He performed tremendous gamers like Rosewall, Borg, Ashe, Nastase, Solomon,
Gerulaitis.

I’m not saying it’s superior to Laver’s Grand Slam 1969 season, nevertheless it might be argued to be so. I do assume it’s clearly superior to Budge’s Grand Slam season contemplating most of Budge’s primary rivals have been within the Professionals or unable to play the beginner circuit.Connors was in good type in that event. He defeated Charlie Pasarell in 4 units and Tom Okker in straight units to succeed in the quarterfinals towards Newcombe.

The grass on the US Open on the West Facet Tennis Membership was not practically the identical because the grass they’ve at Wimbledon at this time. The grass at Wimbledon at this time permits gamers to hit sturdy groundstrokes from the baseline.

The grass in these days on the 1973 US Open was so dangerous and chewed up you couldn’t have respectable rallies. Typically the ball wouldn’t bounce up in any respect. This is able to favor a participant with an enormous first service and volley
like John Newcombe over one of many best baseline gamers ever in Jimmy Connors. Newcombe had good groundstrokes additionally by the best way.

To name Jimmy Connors a baseline participant after all shouldn’t be totally correct. Connors was an amazing all court docket participant. He may serve and volley if he needed to, however his groundstrokes and his return have been the very best within the recreation on the time on reflection.

This was a real battle of titans. Newcombe broke Connors as soon as within the first set and served out to win the set 6-4. Typical super-efficient set by Newcombe at his greatest.

The second set, with each gamers holding serve all through went right into a better of 9 tiebreaker. Sure, you learn that accurately. It was a better of 9. First participant who wins 5 factors takes the tiebreaker. You didn’t need to win the tiebreaker by two factors.

The tiebreaker went to 4 factors apiece. It was set level for each gamers! Newcombe gained the subsequent level to win the tiebreaker 5 factors to 4. He now had a two-set lead.

The third set additionally had each gamers holding serve all through. Once more, within the tiebreaker it was once more tied at 4 factors apiece. It was set level for Connors however match level for Newcombe. Newcombe once more gained the ninth level of the tiebreaker to win the tiebreaker 5 factors to 4.

This was an especially well-played match between presumably the 2 greatest gamers on the planet at the moment. Sure, I do know Nastase was primary in 1973 on the finish of the yr however at this level I felt each Connors and Newcombe have been higher.

Amazingly environment friendly match by Newcombe. To not lose serve as soon as towards presumably the best returner of all time says lots. Nonetheless if Connors gained the ninth level of every tiebreaker, he would have been forward two
units to at least one. It was that shut.

Newcombe performed Rosewall within the subsequent spherical and defeated him pretty simply in straight units 6-4, 7-6, 6-3.

I believe Connors, if he had gained his quarterfinal towards Newcombe would have additionally crushed Rosewall. We all know now from historical past that Connors’ energy attacking recreation and return was an enormous drawback for Rosewall’s nice recreation.

Connors had a 6-0 lifetime file towards Kodes so whereas Kodes is able to nice heights I do assume Connors would have defeated Kodes that yr additionally. However you by no means know. Kodes performed exceptionally nicely in dropping to Newcombe in 5 units within the closing.

Nonetheless if it was Connors going through Kodes within the 1973 US Open closing I’d take Connors.

The finals of the Girls’s Championship had the good Margaret Court docket, in her final nice yr versus Evonne Goolagong at or close to her peak at age 22. Court docket attain the finals by defeating one other up and coming future famous person in Chris Evert by 7-5 2-6 6-2.

Court docket defeated Goolagong 7-6 5-7 6-2 to win her 24 th and final main. As of August of 2026, that’s nonetheless the all-time file for majors gained. The great thing about this file is that Court docket had two pregnancies and retired for a yr as a result of she was married. She in all probability would have gained a variety of different majors. The 24 majors have been gained in solely 47 majors entered. She gained greater than half of the majors she entered.

For 1973 Court docket gained 18 of 25 tournaments with a 102-6 file. Considered one of a variety of seasons wherein Court docket gained over 100 matches. She gained the Australian, French and the US Open for one more considered one of her seemingly typical years. However it could be the final nice yr of her profession.

Newcombe gained the ultimate towards Jan Kodes. The ultimate was very nicely performed. Even though Kodes was the upper seed, I believe most favored Newcombe within the closing. As standard Newcombe gained the ultimate in 5 units 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. He at all times appeared to win huge matches in 5 units.

Later within the yr Newcombe could have performed in the very best match of the yr within the Davis Cup towards Stan Smith.

To cite Bud Collins’ nice e book The Bud Collins Historical past of Tennis-“Newcombe set the temper by beating Smith within the opener 6-1 3-6 6-3 3-6 6-4. Artistically, this would possibly nicely have been the match of the yr. Newcombe—an enforced absentee from Davis Cup since 1967—got here again from 1-3 and a break level within the fifth set with some elegant play, that includes considerate baselining to go along with his volleying.”

1974: Connors Appears to be like Invincible and King Holds off Goolagong

The following yr 1974 was the final yr that the U.S. Open at Forest Hills was performed on grass. Jimmy Connors on the idea of successful the Australian open over Phil Dent and Wimbledon in crushing style over Ken Rosewall was the highest seed.

The defending champion John Newcombe was the second seed.

Maybe the star of the present was once more Vijay Amritraj who did his standard spectacular upset earlier than dropping to his nemesis Ken Rosewall. Within the second-round Vijay performed somebody who can be very accustomed to the tennis followers, a younger teen named Bjorn Borg. Borg gained the French Open that yr over Manuel Orantes, coming from two units right down to win the final three units 6-1, 6-1, 6-1. Borg’s heavy topspin was thought of to be unusual in these days. Some thought he could injure himself due to the violent topspin he imparted on the ball.

Borg was additionally an influence on the WCT tour, reaching the WCT finals earlier than dropping to John Newcombe. Borg was the fourth seed on the US Open that yr at age 18. Vijay was 20. It was attention-grabbing that when Bud Collins and Donald Dell interviewed Borg on Public Broadcasting a number of weeks previous to the US Open that Borg stated he would face Vijay Amritraj within the second spherical.

Borg clearly knew how harmful Vijay was, particularly on grass. Vijay began shortly and hit a variety of outright winners cross Borg to simply win the primary set 6-1. The second set was nearer, however Vijay pulled it out in a tiebreaker 7-6. Borg took management within the subsequent two units successful by 6-3, 6-1. It seemed as if Borg was
going to make one other considered one of his unimaginable two set comebacks.

Within the fifth set, which is the set that’s often owned by Borg, Vijay broke to take a 4-2 lead. The following recreation appeared to final without end as Borg desperately tried to interrupt again. The sport went to 9 deuces. Borg had 4 break factors to get again on serve however Vijay held off the seemingly relentless Borg.

Amritraj held for a 5-2 lead after which broke Borg once more to win the match 6-2 within the fifth. Regardless of the seemingly one-sided rating within the closing set, it was a really tense set. If Borg broke within the seventh recreation, he very nicely may have gained the match.

An astonishingly nicely performed match performed by two of essentially the most gifted gamers on the planet. Vijay misplaced to his arch nemesis Ken Rosewall later. In a manner it’s a disgrace that Vijay gained. It could’ve been nice to see a younger Bjorn Borg versus the veteran Ken Rosewall. Borg defeated Rosewall of their solely assembly.

Billie Jean King and Evonne Goolagong reached the finals on the Girls’s facet. Evonne defeated Evert 6-0 6-7 6-3 within the semi-finals. Goolagong led Evert 6-0 4-3 when the match was postponed to the subsequent day by rain. They waited for a lot of hours hoping to renew the match however to no avail.

I believe the rain delay favored Evert. She was not enjoying at her standard degree because it appeared. Maybe a greater motive was that Goolagong was stopping her from enjoying at her standard degree. Regardless of the case, Evert gained the tiebreaker 5 factors to three. Evonne, nevertheless, gained the match 6-3 within the third on a controversial name.

The ultimate was to be Billie Jean King towards Evonne Goolagong within the closing. King had superior to the ultimate by getting revenge on Julie Heldman within the semifinals 6-1 within the third set.

Goolagong gained the primary set 6-3 and Billie Jean returned the favor by successful the second set additionally by the rating of 6-3. Within the closing set, Goolagong obtained off to a fast begin and led 3-0 within the third. The US Open appeared hers for the taking. King, nevertheless, rallied to tie the match at 3 and finally gained the ultimate 7-5 within the third.

The Males’s closing was a repeat of the Wimbledon finals that yr. Rosewall upset Newcombe within the semifinals.

This was a horrible match up for Rosewall. Rosewall, for many of his profession had essentially the most constant groundstrokes within the recreation. This, alongside along with his nice volley and quickness made him one of many all-time greats. The issue was that Connors’ groundstrokes have been superior and his energy was a lot better than Rosewall’s power.

The Rosewall serve, which was typically adequate towards most gamers was not highly effective sufficient towards the good Jimmy Connors return. Rosewall was unable to serve and volley towards the good Connors return so he needed to keep again solely to be outdueled from the baseline.

It was a bloodbath. Connors gained 82 of 124 factors performed with 31 winners towards both 11 unforced errors or 16 unforced relying on who did the scoring. The ultimate rating was 6-1, 6-0, 6-1. It’s superb as a result of on the dangerous grass of Forest Hills in these days, you figured a prime participant would be capable to win greater than 2 video games as a result of it was a lot simpler to carry serve.

Pat Summerall, across the 3:14 mark within the video I’ll go away a hyperlink to, stated that the Rosewall backhand was unmatched. Sure, typically it was however at that time I’d say it was greater than matched by the Jimmy Connors backhand, simply throughout the online.

For tournaments gained and majors gained, this was Connors greatest yr and one of many best tennis years ever. Jimmy gained 15 tournaments, together with the Australian, Wimbledon and the US Open. He gained a whole lot of different robust tournaments too just like the US Clay Courts over Borg within the closing.

For successful proportion within the Open Period Jimmy Connors in 1974 was the second greatest subsequent to John McEnroe in 1984 when McEnroe gained 82 and solely misplaced 3 matches.

Connors, relying on the positioning gained 99 and solely misplaced 4 or gained 93 and solely misplaced 4. At any charge it was unimaginable. After crushing Rosewall once more, he simply appeared in one other league. A lot of the summer time tennis circuit in 1974 principally turned the Summer season Clay Court docket.

So gamers like Guillermo Vilas, Harold Solomon thrived on this circuit. Vilas turned maybe the most well-liked participant on the circuit since he was on TV so typically on Public Broadcasting with Bud Collins and Donald Dell.

The Manuel Orantes Miracle and Chrissie Evert Begins her US Open Dominance

In 1975 it was no totally different besides that the West Facet Tennis Membership additionally joined the parade and the US Open switched to har-tru which was a claylike floor. The brand new floor modified a lot of the tennis hierarchy on the US Open. Not have been the favorites for the US Open, the good serve and volleyers like John Newcombe (who was a terrific clay courter additionally), Stan Smith, and Arthur Ashe however a few of the nice baseliners like Vilas, Orantes, Solomon.

The serve and volleyers I discussed have been additionally glorious clay courters too by the best way however their large serving energy and volleying can be diminished on the slower Har Tru floor.

Jimmy Connors was the highest seed and he in all probability was the very best participant on the planet. The Prime 10 seeds have been so as Connors, Vilas, Orantes, Ashe, Borg, Okker, Roche, Nastase, Laver and Tanner. Laver was 37 years outdated at this level and clearly previous his prime. He was nonetheless very harmful nevertheless and able to defeating anybody.

Laver performed Borg within the fourth spherical and misplaced in 4 units 6-1, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Glorious displaying by Laver towards a participant who can be the dominant participant on the planet in just a few years, particularly on Har Tru, generally known as “American inexperienced clay” like sort of floor the place Borg would reign supreme. Right here’s small clip of this match on the finish.

These are two gamers who each have been argued to be the GOAT of tennis though neither one is kind of at their peak. Laver, as I discussed was previous his peak and Borg was but to succeed in his peak.

Jimmy Connors performed Bjorn Borg within the first semifinal that day.

At that cut-off date, Borg and Connors have been tied of their rivalry at one match apiece.

Nonetheless Connors was thought of to be virtually unbeatable at that cut-off date and was regarded as the clear
favourite.

It was a really odd match in that the sequence of video games was completely the identical in each set. Connors held serve the primary recreation. Borg held within the second. Connors held within the third recreation and broke Borg within the fourth recreation of the set. Connors held within the fifth recreation to steer 4-1. Borg held to 4-2. Borg broke Connors within the seventh recreation for 4-3.

Borg held to tie the set at 4. Connors held and Borg held and the set was even at 5. Connors held and broke Borg within the twelve recreation to win the set.

It was precisely the identical within the second and third units. So Connors gained 7-5 7-5 7-5. Connors was again within the closing once more.

Guillermo Vilas was on an incredible sizzling streak going within the US Open in 1975. I consider at one level he gained 21 matches in a row. Many thought of Vilas the favourite to win the event. Vilas did appear invincible on the US Open till he reached the semifinals.

Maybe his most spectacular match was his annihilation of two-time French Open champion Jan Kodes within the fourth spherical by 6-2, 6-0, 6-0.

Vilas was in some methods the predecessor of Rafael Nadal. He had nice energy and nice groundstrokes with heavy topspin. He was very quick and had good stamina. His one-handed lefty backhand was terrific. His forehand was very highly effective though some thought of his backhand to be the higher general shot. A great however not nice volley and he had a superb serve.

Nonetheless, in watching that event I used to be fascinated by the good contact and artistry of Manuel Orantes. Orantes had typically given Vilas nice issues on clay. That yr, coming as much as the US Open, Orantes defeated Vilas 3 out of three instances. There appeared to be nothing that Vilas may do to harm Orantes. When Orantes was on his recreation, he had the ball on a string, and he appeared to place the ball anyplace he needed.

Nonetheless, going into the semifinals, Vilas was the favourite to win. Vilas simply seemed superior on this event, dropping solely 18 video games as much as the semifinals towards Orantes.

Vilas seemed invincible in successful the primary two units 6-1 6-4, which made it 14 units that he gained within the event with out a loss. Nonetheless the rallies have been lengthy and grinding. Vilas was identified for his stamina so you’d assume this is able to favor him.

The highly effective Vilas instantly broke to steer 2 love within the third set. You’d assume as a spectator that the match goes to be over shortly. Not so. Orantes, as he typically was able to, went into considered one of his personal sort of zone. Often while you consider a participant going into the zone, it might be like Sampras at Wimbledon wherein the participant simply overpowers the opponent with the good energy of his strokes.

With Orantes, sure he may put away pictures if want be however of 1 so many strengths was that he was in a position to put the ball precisely the place he needed that irritated his opponent. It was to make use of the outdated time period, enjoying cat and mouse. He would drop shot, the opponent would run to get it and someway Orantes can be standing within the good place to execute no matter winner he needed.

From 0-2 down, Orantes gained 6 straight video games in what appeared like a blink of an eye fixed to win the third set 6-2.

Vilas, nevertheless, methodically pounded away along with his heavy topspin energy and shortly led 5-0 15-40 on Orantes’ serve, double match level. Lots of the individuals within the outdated stadium have been transferring to the portals to prepare to go away. They must wait a very long time.

Orantes saved 5 match factors and gained 7 straight video games to win the set 7-5. There was nonetheless one set to go however I believe most within the stands thought Vilas now had little probability to win. Rallies have been after all approaching infinity with these two, however Orantes finally prevailed 6-4.

Right here’s a little bit video on that comeback:

The logic was that Orantes needed to be exhausted. This was coupled by the truth that Orantes had a plumbing drawback at his lodge that very same evening so he went to sleep even later than anticipated. Nonetheless, I assumed he was enjoying in addition to any participant within the event. Together with his selection and expertise, I assumed he may beat Connors.

Extremely sufficient Orantes defeated Connors in straight units 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Presumably essentially the most unbelievable win in a significant in historical past. It might have even surpassed Henri Cochet’s
magical victory at Wimbledon in 1927.

Right here’s the match towards Connors:

On the ladies’s facet, the brand new change to Har Tru was good for Chrissie Evert, who had
the very best groundstrokes within the recreation.

Evonne Goolagong Crawley was no less than to my thoughts seeded too low, reached the ultimate towards prime seed Chris Evert. It was an incredible battle and only a few may give Evert any kind of battle on this clay sort floor. Evert gained 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

1976: Connors Conquers Borg, Evert Guidelines US Open Once more

Connors was having one other considered one of his nice years in 1976. He would finally win 12 tournaments for the yr however when the US Open began, he had not gained a significant event.

Borg, who this yr gained his first Wimbledon was having a improbable yr. Borg gained, moreover Wimbledon, one other “main” or no less than it was thought of a significant on the time, that might be the 1976 WCT Championship that Borg gained over Guillermo Vilas.

Connors and Borg have been seeded 1 and a couple of for the event. In all probability essentially the most attention-grabbing match of the event was Borg’s match towards the unimaginable Manuel Orantes within the quarterfinals. Orantes gained the primary set 6-4 however Borg blitzed him within the second second 6-0 after which the third set 6-2. Borg proceeded methodically to steer 4-0 within the fourth set. It seemed prefer it was over. At this level Borg had gained 16 of the final 18 video games.

However this was Orantes on a clay court docket floor.

Someway, even towards the good Borg, Orantes rallied to win the fourth set 7-5. Feels like a well-recognized script, doesn’t it?

However his opponent right here was not Vilas, it was Bjorn Borg. Borg, as he typically appeared to do, gained the fifth set 6-4 to advance to the semifinals towards Ilie Nastase.

Borg defeated Nastase in straight units and Connors did the identical to Vilas.

The highest two gamers on the planet confronted one another within the closing. Connors gained the primary set 6-4 and Borg responded by successful the second 6-3. It went to a 3rd set tiebreaker wherein Connors fought off a number of set factors to win 7-6 and he completed off Borg within the fourth set by 6-4.

Many known as Connors the highest participant on the planet for 1976 due to this win. That is debatable since Borg gained basically two majors and was within the finals of a 3rd.

1977: Vilas Is Irresistible Power, Evert Steamrolls All

Borg, Connors and Vilas have been virtually invincible this yr. Borg gained 13 of 20 tournaments with an 82-7 file. Connors gained 8 of 21 tournaments with a 70-11 file which frankly was an off yr for him.

Vilas gained 17 of 33 tournaments with a 145-14 file. Vilas additionally gained, relying on what website 46 or 50 in a row. I’d are inclined to go along with 50 in a row as a result of all of them have been authentic tournaments.

Mixed they gained 38 tournaments out of 74 performed.

Chris Evert had her standard yr in these days with a 70-4 file. Chris gained 11 tournaments out of 14 performed.

Evert was not fairly as dominant as she was on the 1976 US Open however like 1976, she gained the event with out dropping a set. Evert’s solely minor drawback was when Wendy Turnbull took her to a tiebreaker within the first set of the ultimate. After all, Evert gained the tiebreaker and gained the second set simply 6-2. Evert was the US Open Champion once more for the third yr in a row.

The lads’s event was regarded as between the superstars of Borg,

Connors and Vilas. Borg was prime seed with Connors second seed, surprisingly to me no less than Brian Gottfried was the third seed with Vilas the fourth seed.

Just a bit minor word, the good Spanish Champion Manuel Santana performed his final main at this US Open however sadly confronted Vilas within the first spherical and misplaced 6-1 6-0. Borg sadly had a shoulder damage simply previous to the US Open. The floor was virtually constructed to Borg’s specs. If he was wholesome he clearly would have moved deeper into the event, more than likely the ultimate.

Nonetheless, accidents do occur. That is part of tennis.

Vilas was on an unbelievable streak at this level. Within the final six months of 1977, Vilas gained 13 of 14 tournaments and 80 of 81 matches! Borg defaulted to Dick Stockton within the fourth spherical with the units tied at 1. Connors continued simply to the finals. On the best way he obtained revenge on Manuel Orantes in straight units within the quarterfinals.

The ultimate was Vilas and Connors within the finals. Connors had defeated Vilas the earlier yr within the semifinals by 6-4 6-2 6-1. In observing that match it appeared to me that Vilas was not used to the good Connors flat energy. Not precisely an remark that almost all wouldn’t see however true nonetheless.

The identical factor occurred within the first set of the ultimate. Connors overpowered Vilas 6-2. Vilas nevertheless, got here again to win the second set 6-4 and the third in a tiebreaker 7-6. Vilas was on a roll and gained the primary 5 video games of the fourth set. Connors didn’t surrender and hit what he thought was a winner on match level towards him.

Nonetheless, the ball was known as out and Vilas was the 1977 US Open champion.

Right here’s the match:

By at this time’s requirements Vilas would have been world No. 1 for the yr in 1977.

Vilas gained the French and US Open plus he was within the finals of the 1977 Australian, dropping to Roscoe Tanner 6-3 6-3 6-3. This was the final US Open held on the Famed West Facet Tennis membership in Forest Hills.

Afterward they held the Tournaments of Champions right here for a variety of years on the WCT tour. Among the many winners have been John McEnroe, Vitas Gerulaitis, Ivan Lendl, Yannick Noah, Eddie Dibbs, Andres Gomez and Andre Agassi.

The US Open moved to its current location in Flushing in 1978 and switched to a hard-court floor known as Deco Turf. As I discussed earlier within the article it needed to be carried out because the event was getting so huge they wanted the house. In some ways it’s a disgrace however tennis was changing into an enormous enterprise so the change was inevitable.