In the Open Era a mere 11 males aged over 30 have won Grand Slam singles titles. Moreover, there have only been 18 occasions in 184 tournaments where players aged over 30 have won a Grand Slam.
In 1992 the average age of the men’s top ten was 23 years old. Presently the youngest player in the Top Ten is Milos Raonic and he is 24.
Older players are competing harder and longer now. David Ferrer won the most matches (76) and titles (7) on the ATP tour in 2012.
Roger Federer (who won Wimbledon aged 30 in 2012) won 73 matches last year, the most he has was won since his greatest season in 2006 when he went 92-5.
What are the greatest seasons by male players in the Open era aged over 30?
Will this list grow as older players appear to be competing harder for longer?
Why are older players suddenly getting better?
1969: Rod Laver – The Second Grand Slam
When Rod Laver completed his second career Grand Slam in 1969 he was aged over 30 for each of his victories. In the Australian Open final Laver was 30 years, five months and 18 days old when he defeated Andres Gimeno in straight sets (Gimeno would win the French Open aged 34 in 1972).
Later Laver accounted for Australian’s Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Tony Roche at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open respectively. Laver’s record for the year was 106-16 and he won a staggering 17 singles titles.
1968-1972: Ken Rosewall – The Man Who Got Better With Age!
Ken Rosewall already had a great career behind him when the sport turned professional in 1968, but the son of a Sydney grocer added to his legacy in the Open Era. According to the ATP, Rosewall fashioned a 550-175 record and won 35 titles, including four Grand Slams: 1968 French Open, 1970 US Open and the 1971-72 Australia Open’s.
Rosewall was 33 years, seven months and seven days old when he defeated Rod Laver in four sets in the 1968 French Open final. He won his last Grand Slam aged 37 years, two months and one day old when he beat 1957 US Open Champion and fellow 37 year-old Australia Mal Anderson.
In fact Rosewall holds the top three places for the oldest winner of a Grand Slam title.
Rosewall won his last official tournament age 43 and in 1977 he ended his career with a respectable 44-23 record and was ranked as high as 12th in the world.
1975: Arthur Ashe – Black Brilliance
When Arthur Ashe beat Jimmy Connors in four sets in the 1975 Wimbledon final he became the first African-American to win a Grand Slam. Ashe was 31 years, 11 months and 25 days old. That same year Ashe became the world number one.
He won eight singles title and helped the USA recapture the Davis Cup. Ashe had a 27-5 singles record in the Davis Cup.
1982: Jimmy Connors: Mr Consistent
Jimmy Connors won a record 1253 matches on the ATP tour and spent 268 weeks as world number one.
He achieved much of success after reaching 30, spending six consecutive years ranked inside the Top Ten. His most notable season aged in his thirties was in 1982. Connors won the US Open ten days after turning 30, beating Ivan Lendl in four sets in the final.
Connors won eight titles in 1982 and repeated his success over Lendl in the 1983 US Open final.
Andre Agassi – Moby with a Tennis Racket
In 2001 Agassi became the oldest player (31) to finish in the top three since 32-year-old Jimmy Connors was number two in 1984.
He opened the season by winning his seventh career Grand Slam at the Australian Open (it was first time in his career he defended a Grand Slam title). Agassi was also the only player on the ATP circuit during the year to reach the quarter finals or better in all four Grand Slam tournaments.
In March, Agassi won his first title at Indian Wells in his 15th attempt, defeating Lleyton Hewitt in the semi-final and his great rival Pete Sampras in the final.
Agassi finished 2001 with four titles and a 46-15 record. In 2002, Agassi had a better record of 53-12 and was ranked second in the World, but he failed to win a Grand Slam title. He won his last Grand Slam title aged 32 in 2003.
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