@@thegrisakgroup No, he wasn't, but he is absolutely serving bigger here than most of his career. There are 4 or 5 serves where it is pretty clear. The last point of the match. The fault on Connors first serve. That serve is as hard as you would ever see Connors serve. It isn't Roscoe Tanner or Colin Dibley hard, but harder than you expect from Connors. Connors only served 5 games in this set. He had about a dozen unreturned serves. Connors had 12 unreturned serves in 5 sets of his 77 Wimbledon final with Borg. It's the serve down the middle that is the big difference. He didn't use it that much overall, but does several times in this match.
This was the first time Connors ever beat Newcombe. Newcombe beat Connors at US Open in 1973 in Straight sets, and most famously, on New Years Day in the Australian Open Final in 4 great sets. That line call in the 7th game was terrible, Newcombe's smash was well in, the linesman gave Connors the break he needed.
I love Newk! Great serve, tennis brain and good hustle. Likes to get in when the chance presents itself. A huge moment in Australian sport when Newk beat Connors in the Aussie Open final!
@@alanchong7513 Shocking to think back to the horrible TV quality image upon which I watched that match. I remember being so impressed by how Newcombe could volley Connors' brutal groundies back. Everyone credits Rod with blowing up the game with his '69' Grand Slam...and rightly so. But John took the baton into the mid '70's on Lamar Hunt's "WTC" tour. First time I got to see the pros play
I have to add; my parents went out to Newcombe & Roche's New Braunfels tennis camp. My dad was VERY impressed by how gracious and charming Newk was to my mother whom had no tennis acumen.
@@WayneLynch69 Newk is just a terrific guy. I read his book a while back. He's just a terrific athlete, plays hard and fair, shows sportsmanship to opponents. He walked past me at the airport in 2001. I was too casual and didn't try to bother him with an autograph request. Newk was also an excellent commentator for Channel Nine in Australia and I think he worked for CBS before that.
