Rosewall succeeded Gonzales as the world's best player in 1961 and held that position either by himself or sharing it with others for six years.
He then engaged in a round-the-world, head-to-head tour against Gonzales, the defending world champion, over the next five months, winning 26 matches but losing 50.
[3] Kramer, however, initially "panicked" upon signing Rosewall.He was a cute little fellow with a dink serve, who operated mostly from the baseline.
[4] Before their opening match in Melbourne, Kramer went to Gonzales and asked him to "carry" Rosewall, giving him a better share of the gate to gain his assent.
Gonzales did try to carry out his part of the deal for a few matches, but then called it off, telling Kramer that he was no longer able to play his normal game.