Australian golfer Peter Senior’s records will take some beating.
Last week the 56-year-old became the oldest winner of the Australian Masters, eclipsing American Gene Littler’s record of 50 when he won in 1980.
When Senior won his second Australian Open in 2012 at 53, he became the oldest winner of the national championship, erasing Peter Thomson’s 43 record when he won his third in 1972.
And to complete the clean sweep of Australia’s three major titles, when Senior won his third Australian PGA at 51, he beat Kel Nagle’s record at 48 when he won his sixth title in 1968.
Obviously golfers’ longevity at the highest level is a lot longer than tennis players, making Ken Rosewall’s record as the oldest Grand Slam champion of the Open era just as incredible.
“Muscles” was 37 years, two months, and a day old when he won his last Slam – the 1972 Australian Open – beating Mal Anderson 7-6 6-3 7-5.
An imposing and impressive record.
Andres Gimeno is the second oldest and well in arrears at 34 years, 10 months, and a day when he won the 1972 French Open, beating Patrick Poisey 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-1.
Andre Agassi was 32 years, eight months, and 20 days old when he won the 2000 Australian Open, beating Rainer Schuttler 6-2 6-2 6-1.
Arthur Ashe was 31 years, 11 months when he won the 1975 Wimbledon, beating Jimmy Connors 6-1 6-1 5-7 6-4.
Rod Laver was 31 years and a month old winning the 1969 US Open to complete his record second Grand Slam, beating Tony Roche 7-9 6-1 6-2 6-2.
Pete Sampras was 31 years, 27 days winning the 2002 US Open, beating Andre Agassi 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-4.
Jimmy Connors was 31 years, nine days winning the 1983 US Open, beating Ivan Lendl 6-3 6-7 7-5 6-0.
Roger Federer was 30 years 11 days winning his 17th Slam – the 2012 Wimbledon – beating Andy Murray 46 75 63 64.
John Newcombe was 30 years, seven months, and nine days beating Jimmy Connors 75 36 64 76 in the 1975 Australian Open final.
And to compete the top 10, Andre Gomez was 30 years, three months, and 14 days winning the 1990 French Open,beating Andre Agassi 63 26 64 60..
It’s worth repeating both the Peter Senior and Ken Rosewall records will take some beating.
Bandy
Roar Guru
Yes, in modern times with an increased emphasis on fitness i think beating rosewell's record will take an incredible amount of work, skill and luck. Even the effortless and injury free roger federer is not the player he once was 5 years ago. It will be interesting to see how his 2016 campaign evolves having so many missed grand slam opportunities in the last 18 months.
clipper
Guest
Ken Rosewall was in the top 20 for 26 years - unfortunately his peak 10 years he did not compete in the grand slams - would've been interesting to see how many more he would've notched up. Both he and Connors kept competing well into their 40's, which makes Connor's win ration of 81.9% even more amazing - as well as topping career titles, finals, semis, matches played and matches won - records I can't see being beaten.