Ken Rosewall auctions
Australian Tennis icon Ken Rosewall is an all-tme legend in the history of the sport – he has auctioned off his trophies.
Tennis legend Ken Rosewall has put his exclusive trophies and memorabilia for sale on a website known to conduct auctions of expensive items. Rosewall will be 90 next year and fans on social media wonder why the Tennis icon has decided to take this step. While some fans feel that it is only out of charity and he is not going through any financial struggles, others believe that he is doing it to help out his son, who is in a lot of debt.
Ken Rosewall’s son, Glen Rosewall, managed a stockbroking firm named BBY, which faced financial difficulties leading to its downfall in 2015. During their troubled times, Ken’s own company extended a loan of AU$3.3 million in an attempt to assist them. Regrettably, this financial aid proved insufficient to rescue BBY.
Complications arose when BBY, despite being insolvent, repaid the loan. Subsequently, liquidators at KPMG initiated efforts to recover some of the funds to reimburse investors. In 2017, they started pursuing Kenny Rosewall for the outstanding $3.3 million. The final ruling from the NSW Supreme Court in 2022 confirmed that the renowned tennis champion was indeed obligated to repay this sum.
Let us take a look at some of the reactions on social media.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ken Rosewall amassed an impressive collection of 147 singles championships, which included an extraordinary 15 Pro Majors and 8 Grand Slam victories, totaling an impressive 23 major titles spanning both professional and amateur tournaments. In addition to his singles accomplishments, Rosewall showcased his remarkable skills in doubles, securing 15 Pro Majors and 9 Grand Slam doubles titles.
Particularly noteworthy is his exceptional achievement in 1963 when he achieved the rare feat of winning all three Pro Majors in a single year, earning him a coveted Pro Slam in singles. Furthermore, his mastery in doubles play enabled him to complete the Career Grand Slam, firmly establishing his legacy as a true tennis legend.
Ken Rosewall’s illustrious tennis journey extended from the early 1950s to the early 1970s, marked by his legendary backhand. He claimed the prestigious world No. 1 ranking from 1961 to 1964 and regained it in 1970, a recognition widely acknowledged by various sources.
Notably, Rino Tommasi also credited him as the top-ranked player in 1971 and 1972. Rosewall’s rise in the tennis hierarchy commenced in 1952 when he first entered the top 20, maintaining his status among the sport’s elite players until 1977. His remarkable versatility shone through as he remains the only player to concurrently hold Pro Grand Slam titles on three different playing surfaces during the years 1962-63. Moreover, he etched his name in history at the 1971 Australian Open, becoming the first man in the Open Era to secure a Grand Slam tournament victory without dropping a single set.
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