Topic: The Golden Age of Tennis (vote if you saw-not heard of-Borg)

[pawan89]

i saw borg.. on youtube...
can i vote?

i'd say the 80s though just because you had so many great people come from that time.

[netskimmer]

hey babblelot  , still have that wood racquet  stan smith model ? , want to tell you the way i saw  tennis late 70`s  started  with connors and mc enroe being groomed for tour.
 tv coverage  became better  in 70`s indoor  exhibition matches started  popping up all across country  women`s tennis was growing also billy jean king did a lot for tennis in
getting sponsorships in 70`s  ,chris evertt , v wade  e goolagong,  naratolova just came from soviet union ,   eqiupment  change came about to see the ball better white to orange for indoor lighting  yellow for outdoors   in the 70`s they had a  let judge for first serves
 a radar speed gun  to measure speed of ball   hand held  of on comming ball.  probably
 taken from baseball pitching,   all this happening in 70 `s and early  80 `s   helped make tennis what it is today .
 l
 our next poll should be   when are U.S.A  players going to win on clay like monte carlo,
  itialian open and french open   think its been a long time ago ?

[Dallas]

I liked all decades starting with the 70's because I always had a 'favorite' that I would pull for.  Ashe, Borg, Lendl, Sampras, Federer.... so all of these 'ages' were pretty good for me!  I think more people knew the players in the 80's simply because the top players were just about all Americans.  Plus, in the 80's and even 90's we actually saw more tennis on TV than we do now.  I remember they use to follow the tour every weekend and I could see all the McEnroe vs Lendl matches, etc.  Now I guess if you don't have a computer - you're almosts out of luck!

My absolute favoritie time really has been the last 3 years since I'm Roger's #1 fan.

[ERHS]

hey babblelot  , still have that wood racquet  stan smith model ? , want to tell you the way i saw  tennis late 70`s  started  with connors and mc enroe being groomed for tour.
 tv coverage  became better  in 70`s indoor  exhibition matches started  popping up all across country  women`s tennis was growing also billy jean king did a lot for tennis in
getting sponsorships in 70`s  ,chris evertt , v wade  e goolagong,  naratolova just came from soviet union ,   eqiupment  change came about to see the ball better white to orange for indoor lighting  yellow for outdoors   in the 70`s they had a  let judge for first serves
 a radar speed gun  to measure speed of ball   hand held  of on comming ball.  probably
 taken from baseball pitching,   all this happening in 70 `s and early  80 `s   helped make tennis what it is today .
 l
 our next poll should be   when are U.S.A  players going to win on clay like monte carlo,
  itialian open and french open   think its been a long time ago ?

Another one of Scott's young guns?

[Babblelot]

our next poll should be   when are U.S.A  players going to win on clay like monte carlo,
  itialian open and french open   think its been a long time ago ?

Well, Andre was the last to accomplish the feat, conquering RG in 1999. I don't think we'll be that formidable on clay until the USTA, Boletari, Evert, etc.. place a specific emphasis on developing claycourters or, more importantly, we start shipping our kids off to Barcelona. But then again, IIRC both Chang ('89) and Courier ('91, '92) were products of the Boletari academy. So, who knows?

[OSU Buckeye]

hey babblelot  , still have that wood racquet  stan smith model ? , want to tell you the way i saw  tennis late 70`s  started  with connors and mc enroe being groomed for tour.
 tv coverage  became better  in 70`s indoor  exhibition matches started  popping up all across country  women`s tennis was growing also billy jean king did a lot for tennis in
getting sponsorships in 70`s  ,chris evertt , v wade  e goolagong,  naratolova just came from soviet union ,   eqiupment  change came about to see the ball better white to orange for indoor lighting  yellow for outdoors   in the 70`s they had a  let judge for first serves
 a radar speed gun  to measure speed of ball   hand held  of on comming ball.  probably
 taken from baseball pitching,   all this happening in 70 `s and early  80 `s   helped make tennis what it is today .
 l
 our next poll should be   when are U.S.A  players going to win on clay like monte carlo,
  itialian open and french open   think its been a long time ago ?

Another one of Scott's young guns?

I thought you were a young un'!?    If you should start spelling words crappy and posting meaningless crap then you will be one of Scott's Young guns also!  

[Babblelot]

Hmmm... this topic is a good jumping-off point into another. Why do so few top players today have the mental wherewithal and determination of those of previous generations?

I'll offer "my guy", Marat Safin, as a case study. Sure, injuries have cost him time, but more importantly, his focus, or lack thereof, has cost him much more.

Aside from Federer, Nadal and (apparently, if not hopefully) Djokovic, the circuit is full of Hewitts--derailed by a "shotgun" wedding--Nalbandians, Baghdatises and Blakes. Compare them to the likes of Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Wilander and Edberg and you'll come to the same conclusion as I: there's no comparison.

Anyone want to take a shot at this conundrum? I'll start.

1. Many here have noted that strategy and point construction was a huge part of the game until power took over. Yet, it seems that once power was neurtalized, a mental vaacuum appeared.

2. Prize money? Are players too comfortable now? Is Hewitt talking a good talk, but simply satisfied collecting a big paycheck week after week?

What you say?

[OSU Buckeye]

Hmmm... this topic is a good jumping-off point into another. Why do so few top have the mental wherewithal and determination as those of previous generations.

I'll offer "my guy", Marat Safin, as a case study. Sure, injuries have cost him time, but more importantly, his focus, or lack thereof, has cost him much more.

Aside from Federer, Nadal and (apparently, if not hopefully) Djokovic, the circuit is full of Hewitts--derailed by a "shotgun" wedding--Nalbandians, Baghdatises, Blakes. Compare them to the likes of Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Wilander and Edberg and you'll come to the same conclusion as I: there's no comparison.

Anyone want to take a shot at this conundrum? I'll start.

1. Many here have noted that strategy and point construction was a huge part of the game until power took over. Yet, it seems that once power was neurtalized, a mental vaacuum appeared.

2. Prize money? Are players too comfortable now? Is Hewitt talking a good talk, but simply satisfied collecting a big paycheck week after week?

What you say?

I agree with yours and would add that the increase of power shots makes for lower percentage shots in general.   If the slightest thing (balance, timing, grip) is off then the shot might clip the net or just sail long!

[FreeBird]

Hmmm... this topic is a good jumping-off point into another. Why do so few top players today have the mental wherewithal and determination of those of previous generations?

I'll offer "my guy", Marat Safin, as a case study. Sure, injuries have cost him time, but more importantly, his focus, or lack thereof, has cost him much more.

Aside from Federer, Nadal and (apparently, if not hopefully) Djokovic, the circuit is full of Hewitts--derailed by a "shotgun" wedding--Nalbandians, Baghdatises and Blakes. Compare them to the likes of Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Wilander and Edberg and you'll come to the same conclusion as I: there's no comparison.

Anyone want to take a shot at this conundrum? I'll start.

1. Many here have noted that strategy and point construction was a huge part of the game until power took over. Yet, it seems that once power was neurtalized, a mental vaacuum appeared.

2. Prize money? Are players too comfortable now? Is Hewitt talking a good talk, but simply satisfied collecting a big paycheck week after week?

What you say?

Heh, I agree - there's no comparison  Where I disagree, at least to some extent, is that "power has been neutralized".  The game is still an offense-fest compared to 20 yrs ago, though it has changed somewhat from the previous generation - it's no longer the huge serve as much as it is the offensive baseline game - the willingness to go for broke no matter what the circumstances.  Or maybe this is the vacuum that you speak of, as setting up a point has been passed over in preference for going for the winner right away.

I think Hewitt is somewhat of an exception here - his tenacious defensive game is prone to a "younger" breakdown than other types of game - I always think of it as related to one's physical peak, which occurs at roughly age 18.  Hewitt's game (same with Chang and Nadal) is so dependent on his movement, that he's susceptible to losing his peak game earlier than other types of game.  Or maybe it's just this in combination with his success causing him to slack off a small amount on his training, which will be more damaging to his game than it might be to others.

In the end, I think that tennis is still seeing the effects of the power game.  Today's game is populated with superior athletes because power still wins out much of the time.  As for strategy?  Most coaches are probably saying:  "Just pretend you're playing racquetball"  But if the power game has really been neutralized and the vacuum that Babble speaks of really exists, then I'd say that there's reason to keep hoping for better days, because soon some thinkers will start showing up, filling in that vacuum (Djokovic, Murray, etc).  One more comment, though - I wonder if Djokovic is more than just another great athlete.  Eh, maybe his drop shot is enough to convert me

Greg

[junbug300]

if you asked me it was the 70's, borg was starting to peak. connors was just starting to come down a little bit. then the aussies were finally slowing down. a lot of things happened during this time.

[Dallas]

if you asked me it was the 70's, borg was starting to peak. connors was just starting to come down a little bit. then the aussies were finally slowing down. a lot of things happened during this time.

Do I detect another "seasoned' poster here?  I was watching Ashe which will date me!

[junbug300]

what do you want to know. the doubles team of smith- lutz or nastase- tiriac? and how romania gave the US hell during the 71 cup final in bucharest? ok enough we're going off topic.

[Richard]

if you asked me it was the 70's, borg was starting to peak. connors was just starting to come down a little bit. then the aussies were finally slowing down. a lot of things happened during this time.

Do I detect another "seasoned' poster here?  I was watching Ashe which will date me!

I've seen Borg, Smith, Ashe & Rodney 'Rocket' Laver...which makes me as old, almost, as Mama 'Philadelphia Freedom' King.

I've voted...incorrectly, as it turns out.  (For the '70s...because of the Name:  Borg.)  "The Kingdom of God is AT HAND."  Which means, do it NOW, enjoy it NOW...change it NOW...etc.

So, I goofed.

I just had to give 'props' to my hero.

Speaking of which, I found the following item, on a page (New Zealand--) giving me the news about young Rafa's victory:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10444807

Tennis: Dog bite ruins Borg's England comeback
New 9:45AM Monday June 11, 2007

LONDON - Five-times Wimbledon champion Bjorn Borg has been forced to pull out of his first grasscourt singles match in England for 26 years after being bitten by a dog.

The 51-year-old Swede had been due to play in the Liverpool International tennis tournament but organisers said Borg was hurt trying to stop a dog fight at his home in Sweden.

The tournament website said Borg's Golden Retriever dog had been attacked by a German Shepherd and the former French Open champion was severely bitten on his right leg after stepping in to separate them.

Doctors have advised Borg, who will still attend the tournament, not to put any weight on his leg for six weeks.

He had been scheduled to play 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash in an exhibition match on Friday

Borg has not played on grass in England since his defeat by John McEnroe in the 1981 Wimbledon final.

- REUTERS

[OSU Buckeye]

Borg bitten trying to break up a dog fight!  That totally sucks!  Couldn't we get Rios to get bitten by a dog instead of Borg?  

[Richard]

Borg bitten trying to break up a dog fight!  That totally sucks!  Couldn't we get Rios to get bitten by a dog instead of Borg?  

...That was mean, but I laughed.

[OSU Buckeye]

Borg bitten trying to break up a dog fight!  That totally sucks!  Couldn't we get Rios to get bitten by a dog instead of Borg?  

...That was mean, but I laughed.

Maybe a little mean, but I expect everyone agrees!  

[Jamesdster]

gotta go w/ the 70s.  Since I started playing in the early 70s I was really into watching all the televised tennis I could get.  I used to love watching Vilas, Borg, Connors, Mac, Laver, Newcomb, Smith, Geuralitas, and Tanner.  I also enjoyed watching the ping pong matches between Harold Solomon and Eddie Dibbs.  Those little dudes could go all day on clay without making an unforced error.

As for Tanner's serve, I think it was the most dominant serve of all time.  Considering the racket he used, it was unbelievable.  I bet he could've hit in the 160s with today's racket.  Whatever the record is that Roddick hit, add 5-7 mph more for what Roscoe would've hit.  Another big server in those days was S.African Kevin Curren who absolutely blew away Connors and I think it was McEnroe in back-to-back matches at W on his way to losing the finals to Borg.

[OSU Buckeye]

gotta go w/ the 70s.  Since I started playing in the early 70s I was really into watching all the televised tennis I could get.  I used to love watching Vilas, Borg, Connors, Mac, Laver, Newcomb, Smith, Geuralitas, and Tanner.  I also enjoyed watching the ping pong matches between Harold Solomon and Eddie Dibbs.  Those little dudes could go all day on clay without making an unforced error.

As for Tanner's serve, I think it was the most dominant serve of all time.  Considering the racket he used, it was unbelievable. I bet he could've hit in the 160s with today's racket.  Whatever the record is that Roddick hit, add 5-7 mph more for what Roscoe would've hit.  Another big server in those days was S.African Kevin Curren who absolutely blew away Connors and I think it was McEnroe in back-to-back matches at W on his way to losing the finals to Borg.

So could you!    

[Jamesdster]

gotta go w/ the 70s.  Since I started playing in the early 70s I was really into watching all the televised tennis I could get.  I used to love watching Vilas, Borg, Connors, Mac, Laver, Newcomb, Smith, Geuralitas, and Tanner.  I also enjoyed watching the ping pong matches between Harold Solomon and Eddie Dibbs.  Those little dudes could go all day on clay without making an unforced error.

As for Tanner's serve, I think it was the most dominant serve of all time.  Considering the racket he used, it was unbelievable. I bet he could've hit in the 160s with today's racket.  Whatever the record is that Roddick hit, add 5-7 mph more for what Roscoe would've hit.  Another big server in those days was S.African Kevin Curren who absolutely blew away Connors and I think it was McEnroe in back-to-back matches at W on his way to losing the finals to Borg.

So could you!    

ahhhhh man, that is cruel.  Ya always have to start picking on my stick don't ya??  

[OSU Buckeye]

gotta go w/ the 70s.  Since I started playing in the early 70s I was really into watching all the televised tennis I could get.  I used to love watching Vilas, Borg, Connors, Mac, Laver, Newcomb, Smith, Geuralitas, and Tanner.  I also enjoyed watching the ping pong matches between Harold Solomon and Eddie Dibbs.  Those little dudes could go all day on clay without making an unforced error.

As for Tanner's serve, I think it was the most dominant serve of all time.  Considering the racket he used, it was unbelievable. I bet he could've hit in the 160s with today's racket.  Whatever the record is that Roddick hit, add 5-7 mph more for what Roscoe would've hit.  Another big server in those days was S.African Kevin Curren who absolutely blew away Connors and I think it was McEnroe in back-to-back matches at W on his way to losing the finals to Borg.

So could you!    

ahhhhh man, that is cruel.  Ya always have to start picking on my stick don't ya??  

It is just to fun for me to pass on a rip on the Dino-stick!   Especially, when I can mask it with a compliment of your serving skillz!