Ha! You knew I was joking, of course. (Ken Rosewall was my idol) I just emailed the following to ABC sports.
I, like any American, is proud of Andre Agassi for his ageless performance at the top of the tennis world for so many years. I was proud of the crowd’s standing ovation moments ago at the close of his last appearance at the 2006 Open.
However, when ageless wonders of tennis are discussed you simply cannot omit mention of ’s Ken Rosewall. He had six more appearances in Grand Slam finals than Andre – nine more in Slam semi-finals.
The following (condensed by me) tables, thanks to http://www.tennis28.com/slams/agerecords_finalists.html
50 Oldest Finalists 1968-2006 | ||||
Rank | Player | Year | Tournament | Age |
1 | Ken Rosewall | 1974 | US Open | 39y 10m 6d |
2 | Ken Rosewall | 1974 | 39y 8m 4d | |
3 | Ken Rosewall | 1972 | Australian | 37y 2m 1d |
4 | Mal Anderson | 1972 | Australian | 36y 10m 0d |
5 | Ken Rosewall | 1971 | Australian | 36y 2m 12d |
6 | Ken Rosewall | 1970 | US Open | 35y 10m 11d |
7 | Ken Rosewall | 1970 | 35y 8m 2d | |
8 | Andre Agassi | 2005 | US Open | 35y 4m 13d |
50 Oldest Semifinalists 1968-2006 | ||||
Rank | Player | Year | Tournament | Age |
1 | Ken Rosewall | 1977 | Australian | 42y 2m 5d |
2 | Ken Rosewall | 1976 | Australian | 41y 2m 0d |
3 | Pancho Gonzales | 1968 | Roland Garros | 40y 0m 29d |
4 | Ken Rosewall | 1974 | US Open | 39y 10m 5d |
5 | Ken Rosewall | 1974 | 39y 8m 2d | |
6 | Jimmy Connors | 1991 | US Open | 39y 0m 5d |
7 | Ken Rosewall | 1973 | US Open | 38y 10m 6d |
8 | Ken Rosewall | 1972 | Australian | 37y 1m 30d |
9 | Mal Anderson | 1972 | Australian | 36y 9m 29d |