Word: longwoods
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Laver has ruled for four years now. Three weeks ago he won at Wimbledon for the fourth straight time, and last Tuesday night walked away from the U.S. Pro Championships at Longwood with his fifth title in six years. While many professional athletes derive their charisma primarily from their personalities, Laver proved once again at Longwood that his springs solely from the magic he can perform with a wooden racquet. Every professional tennis player has perfected at least one aspect of the game which he can exploit with devastating effects. Rosewall has his overhead slam and a deadly backhand. Gonzales...
Playing against Laver can often be frustrating. "Ayven when oy'm plying well against "im," John Newcombe says, "i' doosn't do any good." Laver defeated Newcombe in the finals at Wimbledon, then again at Longwood, often executing shots that would make Newcombe writhe in desperation. On occasion, when he can be repeatedly kept out of position and be forced into making poor shots, Laver will lose a set. When this happens, he will grin at his opponent, implying that both players know it will not occur again. It usually doesn...
When Laver wins a match, and he won four at Longwood, he leaves the court quietly and without emotion. Winning, it seems, has become almost routine to him. And at the loser's locker, the feeling is almost routine as well...
...then Stolle, who was sunk into a chair in the members' lounge, had all but decided to forego the French tournament to stay at Longwood, where his match with Newcombe would be one part of the first All-American semifinal in the tournament's history...
...Australian domination was not entirely surprising. American entries had been expected to have a rough time at Longwood, but the beating they received was quick, calculated and thorough...