lendl was the perfect tennis villian....physical, powerful, machine-like consistency coupled with cold on-court personality....he consistent success and deep runs at majors made him almost like a "final boss" for his contemporarys...no wonder the 80s were the best time in tennis
@Nick410s Lendl was seen as a poor sportsman after and article ran in a magazine that said that after his victories, he'd watch the match on tape with his friends, drink, and laugh at his opponent's mistakes. That was seen as cruel and egotistical and stuck in the mind's of fans. But I heard Lendl made the finals of the US Open for eight years in a row. When's that going to happen again, by anyone?
@DexterHaven49 Didn't know this story about Lendl, but I know he was not a fan favorite despite having won 8 grand slam titles during his career. We will probably not see the 8 consecutive US Open finals matched anytime soon, if ever, but Federer did come close. He made 6 US Open finals, and won 5 of them, which is probably more impressive than Lendl's accomplishment. Sampras also made 8 US Open finals, but won 5 of them. Lenedl won 3/8.
@DexterHaven49 Lendl was my favorite player, but he was seen as cold and methodical by the press and fans alike. In post-match interviews he was sarcastic with reporters apparently... he couldn't stand the same old dumb questions evidently. I remember in 1979 when he first showed up in Toronto, the press referred to him as 'Darth Vadar', what with his black tennis outfits and stoic, unemotional appearance. But I took to him immediately, since he played a power baseline game.
@DexterHaven49 Yeah, according to Boris Becker, Lendl wanted to destroy every opponent 6-0, 6-0. An article back in the day compared Lendl and Yannick Noah... saying Lendl was ruthless, a killing machine; while Noah, although arguably more talented than Lendl, was nowhere near that level of intensity. And a trainer who had worked with dozens of pro athletes called Lendl the greatest athlete he ever worked with. Lendl was really the father of the modern power tennis game.
@ARTZY64 Good points. In Sampras's autobiography, he spoke of being invited to train with Lendl at his home in Conn. He learned about getting up early, bike riding, diet, fitness and practicing as if he had a ten-hour day job at a law office. A few months later, Sampras applied his new strengths at the U.S Open. He defeated Lendl with it and broke Lendl's record of 8 straight finals! It was a bitter defeat for Lendl. They faced each other soon after the Open, and Lendl pasted Sampras, though.
@DexterHaven49 Re Lendl I remember him being introduced a few years ago at a US Open ceremony honouring former champions, and there was just a smattering of applause for poor Ivan. He was definitely under-appreciated in the USA.
@BuddhaShiva1 I was at that Canadian Open final. If memory serves. Lendl won the first set, but Agassi took the third 6-0. Lendl was already experiencing the back problems that would cause his retirement in 1994 (I think)... in fact in an earlier match in the 1992 Toronto tournament, I recall Lendl stretching his back before beating Wall Masur 6-0, 6-0
Lendl and Sampras are the best ever. They had to face much more high class opponents than Federer or Nadal today. Lendl at his peak would wipe the floor with both of them!!!
I think that Lendl is great, and when Tennis Magazine listed him as the 10th greatest, I threw that edition across the room. He was in the top 5. But Fed is the greatest player ever. He has won on all surfaces and the competition is the best of any time in the last centgury. To think that Fed has made to, what, 21 straight Major semis is almost impossible to believe. So while I can share your admiration for Ivan, I have to say that Roger is the best ever...
Yeah, he was in my opinion number 3, behind Sampras, Borg, then Lendl, Federer, McEnroe, Agassi, Boris Becker, Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg, Rafa Nadal, Jim Courier, Matts Wilander, etc...
Yeah I can see that..... thought I do wonder how good Laver would be against these guys. I was way too young to remember him, but from what I've read Lavar was special.
are you serious? federer play in another level and nadal has the best defence ever, respect for the great Lendl and Sampras and Bjork, but Federer and Nadal are just great as well
lendl was a great no. 1. he did his duty with professionalism (unlike connors/mac), and revolutionized the game in terms of fitness, dedication and introducing the power game. he the first to change rackets with new balls. he doesn't get credit only because he isn't american
He doesn't get credit because he had 8-11 GS Final record. Yes, he had a great head-to-head record against some of the greats. But he did not deliver when it counted most. He had an 11-10 record against Becker, but was 0-3 in GS Finals against him. He was 22-13 career against Connors but was 0-2 in GS Finals against him. He was 15-7 career against Wilander, but was 2-3 in GS Finals against him. If Lendl was 75% in GS Finals, he would be considered top 3 greatest.
Although I was a great fan of Ivan Lendl, I must agree with you: he lost too many GS finals. I believe he was weak psychologically. However, Becker, Connors and Wilandre were great opponents and Lendl lost against them at US open in 5 sets. Agains Becker, Lendl never had the chance to play in the clay, where he would have had a big advantage.
Why did Lendl have such an aversion to coming to net. I believe this reluctance cost him many majors. A guy who could him the ball like and was so unwilling to utterly finalize the point was always a mystery. Agassi sucked at net; but I don't ever recall Lendl being a poor net player.
It's not 100% true: after 1985, he lost against Becker at US open, Wimbledon, Masters and Australian Open, and against Wilander at US open, always in very tight matches. However, it is also true that Lendl played against competitors such as Borg, Mc Enroe, Connors, Becker, Edberg, Wilander, Sampras and Agassi, not to mention Lecontee, Noah etc.....I believe Federer or even Nadal don't have such opponents.
Lendl was so dominant, he could challenge and even defeat Becker on his preferred court and Ivan's most hated (five set in 1989 in Wimbledon, victory at 1990 Queens). He lost by the German in 1988 Masters (net in match point) but he defeated him 3 times in Masters 85, 86, 87. He defeated Wilander in French and USopen 1987 before to lost to him in 1988 (5 incredible set).
That 88 Open Final was still one of the greatest matches I've ever seen. Only the Nadal/Fed Wimbeldon final that went into the darkness was better, imo.
Sheesh. sounds to me like someone is obsessed with wikipedia and has an almost neurotic dislike for an athlete..AN ATHLETE FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! what the hell? it's creepy....no matter where lendl's name appears on youtube you're there discharging your venom. i don't disagree with statistics but it seems you stalk the name lendl just to say bad things about him.
I saw this match live on tv. Yes, Lendl was having back problems, but he was still really good. Andre was just younger & made him hit more balls. Andre was playing with the Head Radical Trysis, just last year, I finally switched from playing with that racquet (13 years) I played with it! He won the '94 US Open with that stick. Unfortunately, he lost in the 1st Round in the '93 US Open to Thomas Enqvist with that stick also.
oh please lendl close to retirement took sampras to 5 sets and he wasnt even close to the player he was in his prime and still sampras barely beat him you know nothing.
I was at the match. Ivan had slowed down, perhaps losing a step and could not keep up with Andre. Andre was himself not a model of physical fitness at this stage in his career.
lendl in his 30`s competing vs the new generation . something not many in history did . lendl was ranked 2 for this tournament and he was well over 30 . a master .
I remember that match well...Agassi wasn't really doing much from the baseline, just passively keeping the ball in play for much of that match. Yet he won it. I wish the vid could have shown more of that match, not just a few snippets.
lendl was the best in dictating tempo for baseline games, Connors,borg and company revolutionized the baseline game, but it was lendl who made it to perfection thru power and precision not agassi
wrong. I played in college with that racquet. It was the Kneissel White Star Lendl Pro. I had several. They are now collectors items. Best racquet I ever played with. The Head "Red Head" Pro was great as well.
I played with the Head "Red Head". It was a piece of shit. It totally screwed my game. I played with the old Dunlop Maxply before going with the Red Head. The Maxply was amazing. The feel with that racket was amazing. Before the Maxply, I played with the Wilson Pro Staff. It was a great racket too. I guess I followed Mac's wood rackets.
HAHAHA The Volvo International! Omg I wish I liked tennis back then but I was just a youngin...I go to this tournament every year now, its right by my house...now its the Pilot Pen....but no more Agassi NOR Lendl :(
I played that Lendl Mizuno frame and it kicked ass !! I got so much shit for using it by fellow players ? But when I was kicking their ass on a regular basis...they shut up pretty quick ! Lensl had a bad falling out with Adidas, which is why he jumped to Mizuno.
@Metalforever0083 I recall Lendl changed to the larger frame (Mizuno) one year, specifically for Wimbledon. I thought that was the only reason... I might be wrong. But I DO remember earlier in his career Lendl avoided Wimbledon, using the excuse that he was 'allergic to grass'... yet showing up on the golf courses back in the US, during Wimbledon haha.
lendl was the perfect tennis villian....physical, powerful, machine-like consistency coupled with cold on-court personality....he consistent success and deep runs at majors made him almost like a "final boss" for his contemporarys...no wonder the 80s were the best time in tennis
joeman5493 10 months ago
dear ivan,happy 50th birthday!
lavli23 1 year ago
Lendl was 33 at this time. Lendl was a great player with a great work ethic, and under appreciated by fans.
Nick410s 2 years ago
@Nick410s Lendl was seen as a poor sportsman after and article ran in a magazine that said that after his victories, he'd watch the match on tape with his friends, drink, and laugh at his opponent's mistakes. That was seen as cruel and egotistical and stuck in the mind's of fans. But I heard Lendl made the finals of the US Open for eight years in a row. When's that going to happen again, by anyone?
DexterHaven49 11 months ago
@DexterHaven49 Didn't know this story about Lendl, but I know he was not a fan favorite despite having won 8 grand slam titles during his career. We will probably not see the 8 consecutive US Open finals matched anytime soon, if ever, but Federer did come close. He made 6 US Open finals, and won 5 of them, which is probably more impressive than Lendl's accomplishment. Sampras also made 8 US Open finals, but won 5 of them. Lenedl won 3/8.
Nick410s 11 months ago
@DexterHaven49 Lendl was my favorite player, but he was seen as cold and methodical by the press and fans alike. In post-match interviews he was sarcastic with reporters apparently... he couldn't stand the same old dumb questions evidently. I remember in 1979 when he first showed up in Toronto, the press referred to him as 'Darth Vadar', what with his black tennis outfits and stoic, unemotional appearance. But I took to him immediately, since he played a power baseline game.
ARTZY64 7 months ago
@DexterHaven49 Yeah, according to Boris Becker, Lendl wanted to destroy every opponent 6-0, 6-0. An article back in the day compared Lendl and Yannick Noah... saying Lendl was ruthless, a killing machine; while Noah, although arguably more talented than Lendl, was nowhere near that level of intensity. And a trainer who had worked with dozens of pro athletes called Lendl the greatest athlete he ever worked with. Lendl was really the father of the modern power tennis game.
ARTZY64 7 months ago
@ARTZY64 Good points. In Sampras's autobiography, he spoke of being invited to train with Lendl at his home in Conn. He learned about getting up early, bike riding, diet, fitness and practicing as if he had a ten-hour day job at a law office. A few months later, Sampras applied his new strengths at the U.S Open. He defeated Lendl with it and broke Lendl's record of 8 straight finals! It was a bitter defeat for Lendl. They faced each other soon after the Open, and Lendl pasted Sampras, though.
DexterHaven49 7 months ago
@DexterHaven49 Re Lendl I remember him being introduced a few years ago at a US Open ceremony honouring former champions, and there was just a smattering of applause for poor Ivan. He was definitely under-appreciated in the USA.
ARTZY64 7 months ago
I'd love to see Agassi vs. Lendl in the Canadian Open final of 1992...wish they had some vids on the Tube for that one
BuddhaShiva1 2 years ago
@BuddhaShiva1 I was at that Canadian Open final. If memory serves. Lendl won the first set, but Agassi took the third 6-0. Lendl was already experiencing the back problems that would cause his retirement in 1994 (I think)... in fact in an earlier match in the 1992 Toronto tournament, I recall Lendl stretching his back before beating Wall Masur 6-0, 6-0
ARTZY64 7 months ago
@ARTZY64 That's Wally Masur
ARTZY64 7 months ago
Pitonto, I guess Lendl defeated Pat Cash in the 87 Masters final 3/0.
Faramarzrastin 2 years ago
Lendl and Sampras are the best ever. They had to face much more high class opponents than Federer or Nadal today. Lendl at his peak would wipe the floor with both of them!!!
poolwipe 2 years ago
I think that Lendl is great, and when Tennis Magazine listed him as the 10th greatest, I threw that edition across the room. He was in the top 5. But Fed is the greatest player ever. He has won on all surfaces and the competition is the best of any time in the last centgury. To think that Fed has made to, what, 21 straight Major semis is almost impossible to believe. So while I can share your admiration for Ivan, I have to say that Roger is the best ever...
ripperduck 2 years ago
Yeah, he was in my opinion number 3, behind Sampras, Borg, then Lendl, Federer, McEnroe, Agassi, Boris Becker, Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg, Rafa Nadal, Jim Courier, Matts Wilander, etc...
trevinboy 2 years ago
Yeah I can see that..... thought I do wonder how good Laver would be against these guys. I was way too young to remember him, but from what I've read Lavar was special.
ripperduck 2 years ago
No offence but these are some very strange rankings you got there...
Are the players below the top3 supposed to be in order?
alin1975 2 years ago
are you serious? federer play in another level and nadal has the best defence ever, respect for the great Lendl and Sampras and Bjork, but Federer and Nadal are just great as well
morfo1010 2 years ago
lendl was a great no. 1. he did his duty with professionalism (unlike connors/mac), and revolutionized the game in terms of fitness, dedication and introducing the power game. he the first to change rackets with new balls. he doesn't get credit only because he isn't american
bjornsiborgsi 2 years ago
He doesn't get credit because he had 8-11 GS Final record. Yes, he had a great head-to-head record against some of the greats. But he did not deliver when it counted most. He had an 11-10 record against Becker, but was 0-3 in GS Finals against him. He was 22-13 career against Connors but was 0-2 in GS Finals against him. He was 15-7 career against Wilander, but was 2-3 in GS Finals against him. If Lendl was 75% in GS Finals, he would be considered top 3 greatest.
walliegirl2 2 years ago
Although I was a great fan of Ivan Lendl, I must agree with you: he lost too many GS finals. I believe he was weak psychologically. However, Becker, Connors and Wilandre were great opponents and Lendl lost against them at US open in 5 sets. Agains Becker, Lendl never had the chance to play in the clay, where he would have had a big advantage.
niezchte 2 years ago
Lendl lost only his first finals. When he became a complete champion, in the end of 1985, he dominated tennis for years.
Pitonto 2 years ago
Why did Lendl have such an aversion to coming to net. I believe this reluctance cost him many majors. A guy who could him the ball like and was so unwilling to utterly finalize the point was always a mystery. Agassi sucked at net; but I don't ever recall Lendl being a poor net player.
mrbobevans 2 years ago
It's not 100% true: after 1985, he lost against Becker at US open, Wimbledon, Masters and Australian Open, and against Wilander at US open, always in very tight matches. However, it is also true that Lendl played against competitors such as Borg, Mc Enroe, Connors, Becker, Edberg, Wilander, Sampras and Agassi, not to mention Lecontee, Noah etc.....I believe Federer or even Nadal don't have such opponents.
niezchte 2 years ago
Lendl was so dominant, he could challenge and even defeat Becker on his preferred court and Ivan's most hated (five set in 1989 in Wimbledon, victory at 1990 Queens). He lost by the German in 1988 Masters (net in match point) but he defeated him 3 times in Masters 85, 86, 87. He defeated Wilander in French and USopen 1987 before to lost to him in 1988 (5 incredible set).
Pitonto 2 years ago
That 88 Open Final was still one of the greatest matches I've ever seen. Only the Nadal/Fed Wimbeldon final that went into the darkness was better, imo.
ripperduck 2 years ago
Sheesh. sounds to me like someone is obsessed with wikipedia and has an almost neurotic dislike for an athlete..AN ATHLETE FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! what the hell? it's creepy....no matter where lendl's name appears on youtube you're there discharging your venom. i don't disagree with statistics but it seems you stalk the name lendl just to say bad things about him.
ajp81270 2 years ago
I saw this match live on tv. Yes, Lendl was having back problems, but he was still really good. Andre was just younger & made him hit more balls. Andre was playing with the Head Radical Trysis, just last year, I finally switched from playing with that racquet (13 years) I played with it! He won the '94 US Open with that stick. Unfortunately, he lost in the 1st Round in the '93 US Open to Thomas Enqvist with that stick also.
theelectricman 3 years ago
Sampras got his forehand from lendl if you take a look at the formation of openstance and the take back loading phases are exactly the same.
turtlecutches 3 years ago
Sampras rocks and will always be considered superior to Lendl. Lendl was great - just not in the same league as Sampras and Federer.
walliegirl2 2 years ago
oh please lendl close to retirement took sampras to 5 sets and he wasnt even close to the player he was in his prime and still sampras barely beat him you know nothing.
jayfey77 2 years ago
Lendl owned Agassi throughout their careers. Agassi only snuck a couple wins in when Ivan was ailing.
sam7666 3 years ago
Agassi was a baseliner who won Wimbledon.
WorldHeavyMetal 3 years ago
I was at this match,Lendl was beginning to have back problems at this point in his career.
Schrittwieser 3 years ago
Yeah and Agassi was obviously aware of it and just got the ball back, while Lendl struggled with the pain.
chapaev36 3 years ago
I was at the match. Ivan had slowed down, perhaps losing a step and could not keep up with Andre. Andre was himself not a model of physical fitness at this stage in his career.
belitnakoff 3 years ago
Ivan se bude vždy řadit mezi největší tenisty historie! Pozdrav z Havířova nekam do Conecticatu Ivane!!! Radim
radek61 4 years ago
Lendl's 6-2 h2h on Agassi says well who the Czech was.
Pitonto 4 years ago
lendl in his 30`s competing vs the new generation . something not many in history did . lendl was ranked 2 for this tournament and he was well over 30 . a master .
ricappon 4 years ago
I remember that match well...Agassi wasn't really doing much from the baseline, just passively keeping the ball in play for much of that match. Yet he won it. I wish the vid could have shown more of that match, not just a few snippets.
HeavyMetalZen 4 years ago
lendl was the best in dictating tempo for baseline games, Connors,borg and company revolutionized the baseline game, but it was lendl who made it to perfection thru power and precision not agassi
aug298 4 years ago
absolutely agree . in fact all the new generation benefited from lendl`s advancements . the true tennis innovator .
ricappon 4 years ago
the original racket was KNEISSL WHITE STAR AERO then he changed the brands but the racket was always the same.
marcemalagra 4 years ago
wrong. I played in college with that racquet. It was the Kneissel White Star Lendl Pro. I had several. They are now collectors items. Best racquet I ever played with. The Head "Red Head" Pro was great as well.
lendlracquet 3 years ago
I played with the Head "Red Head". It was a piece of shit. It totally screwed my game. I played with the old Dunlop Maxply before going with the Red Head. The Maxply was amazing. The feel with that racket was amazing. Before the Maxply, I played with the Wilson Pro Staff. It was a great racket too. I guess I followed Mac's wood rackets.
walliegirl2 2 years ago
Good match up. The guy who started the baseline fad, Llendl, against the guy who perfected it, Agassi.
TheSoloists 4 years ago
HAHAHA The Volvo International! Omg I wish I liked tennis back then but I was just a youngin...I go to this tournament every year now, its right by my house...now its the Pilot Pen....but no more Agassi NOR Lendl :(
heninandroddickfan 4 years ago
lendl had fantastic groundstrokes, I thought
PARCHETE 4 years ago
There is a really metallic sounding ring when Lendl hits, interesting.
Frost55555 4 years ago
i thought lendl changed rackets b/c the mizuno head was bigger and thus gave him more power
wood racket? this was '93, not '83...
mephatboi 4 years ago
that's not the adidas raquet, the last years of his carrer he changed to Mizuno.
But, it's almost the same, same stiffnes and size, just different consmetics and brand logo
migelowsky 4 years ago
I played that Lendl Mizuno frame and it kicked ass !! I got so much shit for using it by fellow players ? But when I was kicking their ass on a regular basis...they shut up pretty quick ! Lensl had a bad falling out with Adidas, which is why he jumped to Mizuno.
Metalforever0083 4 years ago
@Metalforever0083 I recall Lendl changed to the larger frame (Mizuno) one year, specifically for Wimbledon. I thought that was the only reason... I might be wrong. But I DO remember earlier in his career Lendl avoided Wimbledon, using the excuse that he was 'allergic to grass'... yet showing up on the golf courses back in the US, during Wimbledon haha.
ARTZY64 7 months ago
is lendl using a wood racket...?
zyxfbaa 4 years ago
NO, I believe he is using the Adidas GTX ProT racket which is NOT a wood racket.
mac654 4 years ago
em 1993 ele ainda era número 2 do ranking atp fantástico sem dúvida
0unum04 4 years ago
Awesome Lendl ...... !!
njrajesh 4 years ago