When Aussies Ruled Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rocket

Rod Laver was born in Rockhampton in 1938, and he demonstrated his tennis prowess at a young age. Laver was nicknamed "Rocket" because of his quick reflexes, powerful ground strokes and deceptive serves. Laver was equally adept on fast grass courts and slow clay surfaces.

This left-hander is recognized by tennis experts as one of the greatest players in the sport's history. The Rocket was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981.

Answer: French Open

John Newcombe became famous for his handlebar mustache, his powerful serve, and his outstanding net play. The right-hander won two Australian Open titles (1973, 1975), three Wimbledon crowns (1967, 1970, 1971) and two U.S. titles (1967, 1973). However, "Newk" was never able to win the French Open tournament.

His best showing on the red clay surface at Roland Garros occurred in 1969, when he reached the quarterfinal round.

Answer: He never won a Grand Slam doubles title with Rod Laver

Roy Emerson, born in Queensland, combined his tennis skills and stamina to win an amazing total of 28 Grand Slam tournaments. The right-handed Emerson was able to win five straight Australian Championships between 1963 and 1967 with his excellent serve-and-volley game. Emerson's patience and stamina allowed him to win the French Championship in 1963 and again in 1967. "Emmo" and his partner Rod Laver won two Grand Slam doubles titles: the Australian Open (1969) and Wimbledon (1971). Roy Emerson was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1982.

Answer: He was a lefty during his playing career

Tony Roche, a native of New South Wales, appeared in six Grand Slam singles finals. Roche used his lefty serve and solid net play to good advantage. Roche utilized a one-handed backhand on his way to winning the 1966 French Championship. Roche defeated Hungarian Istvan Gulyas in straight sets to capture the title at Roland Garros. Harry Hopman won an incredible 14 Davis Cup titles as Australia's captain between 1950 and 1967.

Answer: Ken Rosewall

Ken "Muscles" Rosewall was born in Sydney in 1934. Rosewall was small in stature, but he was lightning quick on the court. "Muscles" had one of the greatest strokes in tennis history: a backhand slice which often confounded his opponents. Rosewall won six Grand Slam titles as an amateur prior to becoming a professional in 1957. "Muscles" was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1980. Neale Fraser and Owen Davidson were left-handed Australian tennis players; Lew Hoad, a right-hander, was born in Glebe, New South Wales.

Answer: Tony Roche

John Newcombe was not only a formidable singles player; he was also a terrific doubles player. Newcombe and his partner Tony Roche won 12 Grand Slam doubles tournaments between 1965 and 1976, five Wimbledon titles, four Australian crowns, two French titles, and one U.S. championship.

It was fitting that John Newcombe and Tony Roche were both inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1986. Roger Taylor was born in England, and Arthur Ashe hailed from the USA. Neale Fraser, an Australian lefty, won 3 Grand Slam titles in singles and 16 Grand Slams in doubles between 1957 and 1962.

However, Fraser and Newcombe never captured a Grand Slam doubles title together.

Answer: Fred Stolle

In 1964, Roy Emerson defeated fellow Australian Fred Stolle in straight sets to win the Wimbledon title. Stolle, a right-hander from Hornsby, won two Grand Slam singles titles during his career: the 1965 French Championship and the 1966 U.S. Championship. Dennis Ralston and Tony Trabert were born in the USA, and Frew McMillan was born in South Africa.

Answer: 1969

Rod Laver had already won the Tennis Grand Slam as an amateur in 1962. After turning professional in 1963, Laver was barred from playing in Grand Slam tournaments until the Open Era began in 1968. In 1969, Laver repeated his amazing Grand Slam feat. He defeated Tony Roche (Australian and U.S.), John Newcombe (Wimbledon), and Ken Rosewall (French) on his way to making tennis history. Neil Armstrong also made history in July 1969 when he became the first person to walk on the moon.

Answer: Ashley

Ashley John Cooper was born in Melbourne in 1936. The righty had an outstanding season in 1958, capturing three of four Grand Slam titles. Cooper's only defeat that year came at the French tournament, where he lost to Luis Ayala in a tough five-set match. Cooper had already won the 1957 Australian Grand Slam tournament.

In 1957, Cooper teamed with Mal Anderson to help Australia defeat the USA in the Davis Cup finals, 3-2. Cooper was elected to the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991.

Answer: Jimmy Connors

Ken Rosewall won eight Grand Slam titles between 1953 and 1970: four Australian Championships, two French Championships and two U.S. Championships. However, the Sydney native was never able to win at Wimbledon. In 1974, a brash young American player named Jimmy Connors defeated Rosewall in straight sets to win the Wimbledon crown. Connors would also defeat Rosewall in the 1974 U.S. Open final. Marty Riessen, Stan Smith and Arthur Ashe were all right-handed players.