Page "Rod Laver" Paragraph 16

In 1970, Laver won 15 titles and US $ 201, 453 in prize money, including the rich " Tennis Champions Classic " and five other big events ( Sydney Dunlop Open, Philadelphia, Wembley, Los Angeles, South African Open ).

Those were the equivalent of the modern day ATP Masters Series.

With only two majors played by all the best players ( Wimbledon and the U. S. Open ), there was no clear-cut World No. 1 in 1970.

Wimbledon champion Newcombe, U. S. champion Rosewall, and Laver ( who won the most titles and had a 3 – 0 win-loss record against Newcombe and a 5 – 0 record against Rosewall ) were ranked the highest by different journalists and expert panels.

Although Newcombe was top ranked by Lance Tingay, Newcombe wrote later in his autobiography " Newk-Life on and off the Court " ( 2002 ) that the top honour in 1970 belonged to Laver.