Swimming at the 1973 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 200 metre backstroke
The men's 200 metre backstroke competition of the swimming events at the 1973 World Aquatics Championships took place on September 6.Records
Prior to the competition, the existing world and championship records were as follows.
The following records were established during the competition:
| Date | Event | Name | Nationality | Time | Record |
| 6 September | Heat 1 | Robert Williams | | 2:09.81 | CR |
| 6 September | Heat 3 | Mark Tonelli | | 2:09.55 | CR |
| 6 September | Heat 4 | Roland Matthes | | 2:06.75 | CR |
| 6 September | Final | Roland Matthes | | 2:01.87 | WR |
Results
Heats
29 swimmers participated in 4 heats. The eight fastest times qualified for the final.Final
The results of the final are below.
| Rank | Lane | Name | Nationality | Time | Notes |
| - | Roland Matthes | | 2:01.87 | WR |
| - | Zoltán Verrasztó | | 2:05.89 | |
| - | John Naber | | 2:06.91 | |
| - | Robert Williams | | 2:08.16 | |
| - | Paul Hove | | 2:08.17 | |
| - | Mark Tonelli | | 2:09.63 | |
| - | Massimo Nistri | | 2:10.11 | |
| - | Róbert Rudolf | | 2:11.42 | |
