Almanac Books: ‘Wonderboy: The Legend of Viv McGrath & the shot that changed tennis’ – Michael Sexton
A New Offering from Sportswords: Viv McGrath & the Shot that Changed Tennis.
Viv McGrath had a baby face, a sweet temperament, and a killer backhand that changed tennis.
He was nicknamed ‘Wonderboy’ because of his astonishing feats in the 1930s and the ridiculously young age at which he achieved them.
McGrath emerged, almost mythically, from the bush as a self-taught player.
He beat world champion Ellsworth Vines at 16, played Davis Cup, and won the Australian Championships at 20.
And then he was gone …
McGrath was the first player to use a two-handed backhand at a time when such a stroke was considered an affront to the sensibilities of the sport. He faced ridicule and worse for using it.
Although authorities frowned on his freak stroke, McGrath was a huge attraction for fans and so, while still a boy, he played a relentless schedule that eventually burned him out.
There was a sense that the backhand would die a natural death after him but it didn’t and as the decades have passed, two-handed shots have become essential to the game.
How Viv McGrath did it and what happened to him is the subject of this monograph. It has been printed on high-quality paper, including evocative and rarely seen photos.
The monograph can be purchased Here
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About Michael Sexton
Michael Sexton is a freelance journo in SA. His scribblings include "The Summer of Barry", "Chappell's Last Stand" and the biography of Neil Sachse.
Well done Viv McGrath!
Although he passed away in 1978, at the age of 62, hopefully he would have been well enough to have the seen players like Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors use the double handed backhand at Wimbledon in 1974, where the shot that changed tennis became more noticeable.
Paul McNamee changed from a one-handed backhand to two-handed in 1979, with success.
Notably, both Pete Sampras and Stefan Edberg changed from a two-handed backhand to a one-handed backhand around 14-15 years of age.
Remarkably, Viv McGrath was a self-taught player who in singles won the Australian Open in 1937, Quarter Finalist at the French Open in 1935, as well as Quarter Finalist at Wimbledon in 1935 and 1937.
His highest singles ranking was number 8, in 1935.
In doubles, he won the Australian Open in 1935, as well as a Finalist at the French Open in 1933, 1934 and 1935.