Tony Roche
Full name | Anthony Dalton Roche |
---|---|
Country (sports) | Australia |
Residence | Turramurra, NSW, Australia |
Born |
Wagga Wagga, Australia | 17 May 1945
Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Turned pro | 1968 (amateur tour from 1963) |
Retired | 1979 |
Plays | Left-handed (one-handed backhand) |
Prize money | US$ 529,199 |
Int. Tennis HoF | 1986 (member page) |
Singles | |
Career record | 235–114 (Open era) |
Career titles | 26 (7 ATP) |
Highest ranking | No. 2 (1969, Lance Tingay)[1] |
Grand Slam Singles results | |
Australian Open | SF (1965, 1967, 1969, 1975) |
French Open | W (1966) |
Wimbledon | F (1968) |
US Open | F (1969, 1970) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 208–94 (Open era) |
Career titles | 18 (Open era) |
Highest ranking | No. 1 (1965) |
Grand Slam Doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (1965, 1967, 1971, 1976, 1977) |
French Open | W (1967, 1969) |
Wimbledon | W (1965, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974) |
US Open | W (1967) |
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (1966) |
Wimbledon | W (1976) |
Team competitions | |
Davis Cup | W (1965, 1966, 1967, 1977 ) |
Anthony "Tony" Dalton Roche, AO MBE (born 17 May 1945) is a former professional Australian tennis player, native of Tarcutta. He played junior tennis in the New South Wales regional city of Wagga Wagga.[2] He won one Grand Slam singles title and thirteen Grand Slam doubles titles, and was ranked as high as World No. 2 by Lance Tingay of The Daily Telegraph in 1969.[1] He also coached multi-Grand Slam winning World No. 1s, Ivan Lendl, Patrick Rafter, Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt and former World No. 4, Jelena Dokic.
Playing career
Roche started to play tennis at school when he was nine. His father, a butcher, and mother were recreational tennis players and encouraged his interest.[3] Roche grew up playing in Australia under the tutelage of Harry Hopman, who also coached other Australian tennis players such as Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall.
A left-hander, Roche had a successful singles and double career. He won one singles Grand Slam tournament, the 1966 French Open at Roland Garros, defeating István Gulyás in the final. He was five times the runner-up at Grand Slam tournaments: the French Championships in 1965 and 1967, losing to Fred Stolle and Roy Emerson respectively, Wimbledon in 1968, losing to Rod Laver, and the US Open in 1969 and 1970, losing to Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall. With compatriot John Newcombe, he won 12 Grand Slam men's doubles tournaments.
In January 1968, Roche turned professional, signing with World Championship Tennis, joining other pros like Cliff Drysdale, Nikola Pilić, and Roger Taylor to form the "Handsome Eight".[4][5][6]
Perhaps one of his greatest achievements came in 1977, being called up to play singles in the finals of the Davis Cup tournament versus Italy, nearly 10 years since he had last played for Australia. In the tie, Roche upset top Italian Adriano Panatta, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4, to lead Australia to a 3–1 victory, winning the Davis Cup. Shoulder and elbow injuries cut short his career after having finished in the top 10 for six consecutive years.
Coaching career
After completing his playing career Roche has developed a highly successful career as a tennis coach. He was the player-coach of the Denver Racquets who won the first World Team Tennis in competition 1974, and he was named WTT Coach of the Year.[7] Ivan Lendl hired Roche as a full-time coach for Roche's advice on volleying. (Lendl dreamed of winning Wimbledon, and because Roche had been a fine grass court player, he sought his tutelage.) Roche also coached former world no. 1 Patrick Rafter from 1997 to the end of his career in 2002. Roche coached world no. 1 Roger Federer from 2005 to 12 May 2007. It is reputed this was on a "handshake agreement" with no contract; Roche was paid by the week. Federer hired Roche for the opposite reason that Lendl hired him: to work on his clay-court game (as Roche had won the French Open). He also coached two-time Grand Slam singles titlist Lleyton Hewitt, who was aiming to get his career back on track after a number of unsuccessful years on the ATP Tour.[8] On the day of her first round match against Alisa Kleybanova at the 2010 Australian Open, which she eventually lost in straight sets, former world no. 4, Jelena Dokić, requested an hour-long session from Roche as last minute training.
Tony Roche also coaches many junior players at Sydney Olympic Park, in preparation for their ATP junior qualification pro tours, starting in November.
Honours
Roche was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1981 and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2001.[9][10] He entered the International Tennis Hall of Fame alongside doubles partner and close friend John Newcombe in 1986.[11] In 1990 he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.[12] He received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and a Centenary Medal in 2001.[13][14]
Major finals
Grand Slam finals
Singles: 6 (1 title, 5 runners-up)
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final | |
Runner-up | 1965 | French Championships | Clay | Fred Stolle | 6–3, 0–6, 2–6, 3–6 | |
Winner | 1966 | French Championships | Clay | István Gulyás | 6–1, 6–4, 7–5 | |
Runner-up | 1967 | French Championships | Clay | Roy Emerson | 1–6, 4–6, 6–2, 2–6 | |
↓ Open Era ↓ | ||||||
Runner-up | 1968 | Wimbledon | Grass | Rod Laver | 3–6, 4–6, 2–6 | |
Runner-up | 1969 | US Open | Grass | Rod Laver | 9–7, 1–6, 2–6, 2–6 | |
Runner-up | 1970 | US Open | Grass | Ken Rosewall | 6–2, 4–6, 6–7, 3–6 |
Doubles: 15 (13 titles, 2 runners-up)
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
Runner-up | 1964 | French Championships | Clay | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Ken Fletcher | 5–7, 3–6, 6–3, 5–7 |
Winner | 1965 | Australian Championships | Grass | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Fred Stolle | 3–6, 4–6, 13–11, 6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 1965 | Wimbledon Championships | Grass | John Newcombe | Ken Fletcher Bob Hewitt | 7–5, 6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 1966 | Australian Championships (2) | Grass | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Fred Stolle | 9–7, 3–6, 8–6, 12–14, 10–12 |
Winner | 1967 | Australian Championships (2) | Grass | John Newcombe | Bill Bowrey Owen Davidson | 3–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–8, 8–6 |
Winner | 1967 | French Championships | Clay | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Ken Fletcher | 6–3, 9–7, 12–10 |
Winner | 1967 | US Championships | Grass | John Newcombe | Bill Bowrey Owen Davidson | 6–8, 9–7, 6–3, 6–3 |
↓ Open Era ↓ | ||||||
Winner | 1968 | Wimbledon (2) | Grass | John Newcombe | Ken Fletcher Ken Rosewall | 3–6, 8–6, 5–7, 14–12, 6–3 |
Winner | 1969 | French Open (2) | Clay | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Rod Laver | 4–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
Winner | 1969 | Wimbledon (3) | Grass | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen | 7–5, 11–9, 6–3 |
Winner | 1970 | Wimbledon (4) | Grass | John Newcombe | Ken Rosewall Fred Stolle | 10–8, 6–3, 6–1 |
Winner | 1971 | Australian Open (3) | Grass | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen | 6–2, 7–6 |
Winner | 1974 | Wimbledon (5) | Grass | John Newcombe | Robert Lutz Stan Smith | 8–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
Winner | 1976 | Australian Open (4) | Grass | John Newcombe | Ross Case Geoff Masters | 7–6, 6–4 |
Winner | 1977 | Australian Open (January) (5) | Grass | Arthur Ashe | Charlie Pasarell Erik Van Dillen | 6–4, 6–4 |
Mixed doubles: 5 (2 titles, 3 runners-up)
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
Runner-up | 1965 | Wimbledon Championships | Grass | Judy Tegart | Margaret Smith Ken Fletcher | 10–12, 3–6 |
Winner | 1966 | Australian Championships | Grass | Judy Tegart | Robyn Ebbern William Bowrey | 6–1, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 1967 | Australian Championships | Grass | Judy Tegart | Lesley Turner Owen Davidson | 7–9, 4–6 |
↓ Open Era ↓ | ||||||
Runner-up | 1969 | Wimbledon (2) | Grass | Judy Tegart | Ann Haydon Fred Stolle | 2–6, 3–6 |
Winner | 1976 | Wimbledon | Grass | Françoise Dürr | Rosemary Casals Dick Stockton | 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 |
Grand Slam Singles performance timeline
Tournament | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | Career SR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australian Open | A | QF | SF | QF | SF | A | SF | QF | 3R | A | A | 2R | SF | QF | 3R | 1R | QF | 3R | 0 / 14 |
French Open | 1R | 2R | F | W | F | A | SF | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | 1 / 6 | |
Wimbledon | 1R | 2R | 2R | QF | 2R | F | SF | QF | 1R | A | A | 3R | SF | 4R | A | 1R | A | 0 / 13 | |
US Open | 3R | QF | A | 3R | A | 4R | F | F | A | A | A | 3R | 2R | A | A | A | A | 0 / 8 | |
Grand Slam SR | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 1 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 1 | 1 / 41 |
A=did not participate in the tournament
Open-Era finals
Singles
Outcome | No. | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Runner-up | 1. | 1968 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Rod Laver | 3–6, 4–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 2. | 1969 | Hobart, Australia | Grass | Fred Stolle | 3–6, 6–0, 4–6, 1–6 |
Winner | 1. | 1969 | Sydney, Australia | Grass | Rod Laver | 6–4, 4–6, 9–7, 12–10 |
Winner | 2. | 1969 | Auckland, New Zealand | Grass | Rod Laver | 6–1, 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 3. | 1969 | Philadelphia WCT, U.S. | Carpet | Rod Laver | 5–7, 4–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 4. | 1969 | Rome, Italy | Clay | John Newcombe | 3–6, 6–4, 2–6, 7–5, 3–6 |
Winner | 3. | 1969 | Hamburg, Germany | Clay | Tom Okker | 6–1, 5–7, 8–6, 7–5 |
Runner-up | 5. | 1969 | US Open, New York | Grass | Rod Laver | 9–7, 1–6, 2–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 6. | 1969 | Wembley, UK | Carpet | Rod Laver | 4–6, 1–6, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 7. | 1970 | Philadelphia WCT, US | Carpet | Rod Laver | 3–6, 6–8, 2–6 |
Winner | 4. | 1970 | Dublin, Ireland | Grass | Rod Laver | 6–3, 6–1 |
Winner | 5. | 1970 | Gstaad, Switzerland | Clay | Tom Okker | 7–5, 7–5, 6–3 |
Winner | 6. | 1970 | Boston, US | Hard | Rod Laver | 3–6, 6–4, 1–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 8. | 1970 | US Open, New York | Grass | Ken Rosewall | 6–2, 4–6, 6–7, 3–6 |
Winner | 7. | 1972 | Washington WCT, US | Clay | Marty Riessen | 3–6, 7–6, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 9. | 1974 | Bombay, India | Clay | Onny Parun | 3–6, 3–6, 6–7 |
Runner-up | 10. | 1975 | Nottingham, England | Grass | Tom Okker | 1–6, 6–3, 3–6 |
Winner | 8. | 1976 | Charlotte WCT, US | Carpet | Vitas Gerulaitis | 6–3, 3–6, 6–1 |
Winner | 9. | 1976 | Sydney Outdoor, Australia | Grass | Dick Stockton | 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 11. | 1977 | Brisbane, Australia | Grass | Vitas Gerulaitis | 7–6, 1–6, 1–6, 5–7 |
Winner | 10. | 1978 | London/Queen's Club, England | Grass | John McEnroe | 8–6, 9–7 |
Doubles
Outcome | No. | Year | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | 1. | 1968 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | John Newcombe | Ken Rosewall Fred Stolle |
3–6, 8–6, 5–7, 14–12, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 1. | 1968 | Hamburg, Germany | Clay | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
4–6, 4–6, 5–7 |
Runner-up | 2. | 1968 | Hobart, Australia | Grass | Fred Stolle | Mal Anderson Roger Taylor |
5–7, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 3. | 1969 | Philadelphia WCT, U.S. | Carpet | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
6–8, 4–6 |
Winner | 2. | 1969 | French Open, Paris | Clay | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Rod Laver |
4–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
Winner | 3. | 1969 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
7–5, 11–9, 6–3 |
Winner | 4. | 1970 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | John Newcombe | Ken Rosewall Fred Stolle |
10–8, 6–3, 6–1 |
Winner | 5. | 1970 | Louisville, U.S. | Hard | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Rod Laver |
8–6, 5–7, 6–4 |
Winner | 6. | 1971 | Australian Open, Melbourne | Grass | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
6–2, 7–6 |
Winner | 7. | 1971 | Miami WCT, U.S. | Hard | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Rod Laver |
7–6, 7–6 |
Runner-up | 4. | 1971 | Chicago WCT, U.S. | Carpet | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
6–7, 6–4, 6–7 |
Winner | 8. | 1971 | Rome, Italy | Clay | John Newcombe | Andrés Gimeno Roger Taylor |
6–4, 6–4 |
Winner | 9. | 1971 | Tehran WCT, Iran | Clay | John Newcombe | Bob Carmichael Ray Ruffels |
6–4, 6–7, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 5. | 1972 | Richmond WCT, U.S. | Carpet | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
6–7, 6–7 |
Runner-up | 6. | 1972 | Philadelphia WCT, U.S. | Carpet | John Newcombe | Arthur Ashe Robert Lutz |
3–6, 7–6, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 7. | 1972 | Charlotte WCT, U.S. | Clay | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
4–6, 6–4, 6–7 |
Runner-up | 8. | 1972 | Las Vegas WCT, U.S. | Hard | John Newcombe | Roy Emerson Rod Laver |
DEF |
Winner | 10. | 1972 | St. Louis WCT, U.S. | Carpet | John Newcombe | John Alexander Phil Dent |
7–6, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 9. | 1972 | Washington WCT, U.S. | Clay | John Newcombe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
6–3, 3–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 11. | 1972 | Boston WCT, U.S. | Hard | John Newcombe | Arthur Ashe Robert Lutz |
6–3, 1–6, 7–6 |
Winner | 12. | 1974 | Toronto WCT, Canada | Carpet | Raúl Ramírez | Tom Okker Marty Riessen |
6–3, 2–6, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 10. | 1974 | Monte Carlo WCT, Monaco | Clay | Manuel Orantes | John Alexander Phil Dent |
6–7, 6–4, 6–7, 3–6 |
Winner | 13. | 1974 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | John Newcombe | Robert Lutz Stan Smith |
8–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 11. | 1974 | Sydney Indoor, Australia | Hard (i) | John Newcombe | Ross Case Geoff Masters |
4–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 14. | 1976 | Australian Open, Melbourne | Grass | John Newcombe | Ross Case Geoff Masters |
7–6, 6–4 |
Winner | 15. | 1976 | Charlotte WCT, U.S. | Carpet | John Newcombe | Vitas Gerulaitis Gene Mayer |
6–3, 7–5 |
Winner | 16. | 1977 | Australian Open, Melbourne | Grass | Arthur Ashe | Charlie Pasarell Erik Van Dillen |
6–4, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 12. | 1977 | Richmond WCT, U.S. | Carpet | Ross Case | Wojtek Fibak Tom Okker |
4–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 13. | 1977 | Toronto Indoor WCT, Canada | Carpet | Ross Case | Wojtek Fibak Tom Okker |
4–6, 1–6 |
Winner | 17. | 1977 | Sydney Indoor, Australia | Hard (i) | John Newcombe | Ross Case Geoff Masters |
6–7, 6–3, 6–1 |
Winner | 18. | 1978 | Sydney Indoor, Australia | Hard (i) | John Newcombe | Mark Edmondson John Marks |
6–4, 6–3 |
References
- 1 2 United States Lawn Tennis Association (1972). Official Encyclopedia of Tennis (First Edition), p. 428.
- ↑ "Sporting Hall of Fame – Roche, Tony". www.wagga.nsw.gov.au. Museum of the Riverina. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "Big break for leading junior.". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 8 May 1963. p. 54 Supplement: Teenagers' Weekly. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ↑ "Newcombe: One Of 'Biggest Pacts'". St. Petersburg Times. 3 January 1968.
- ↑ "Tennis Stars Sign". The Age. 5 January 1968.
- ↑ Wind, Herbert Warren (1979). Game, Set, and Match : The Tennis Boom of the 1960s and 70s (1. ed.). New York: Dutton. pp. 65–70. ISBN 0525111409.
- ↑ "World Tennis title is better thrill than expected". The Prescott Courier. 27 August 1974.
- ↑ "Lleyton Hewitt hires celebrated tennis coach Tony Roche". International Herald Tribune. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
- ↑ "Roche, Anthony Dalton, MBE". It's an Honour. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ↑ "ROCHE, Anthony Dalton (Tony), AO". It's an Honour. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ↑ "Hall of Famers – Tony Roche". International Tennis Hall of Fame.
- ↑ "Tony Roche AO MBE". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ↑ "Roche, Tony: Australian Sports Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ↑ "ROCHE, Tony Dalton: Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
External links
- Tony Roche at the Association of Tennis Professionals
- Tony Roche at the International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Tony Roche at the Davis Cup
- Tony Roche at the International Tennis Federation