Very, very well put 7Lukib . . ., both comments. It is always a pleasure to read comments from posters who have taken the time to learn something about the subject of the vid they're commenting upon. Your attention to detail and understanding of the techniques involved are excellent. Well done. Cheers!
Of the 3 great one-handed topspin backhands in pro tennis in the modern era (Lendl's, Henin's and Federer's), Federer's is the most fluid and Lendl's and Henin's are the most technically sound. Edberg had a beautifully fluid topspin backhand, but he didn't hit as many passing shot winners with it because he was constantly at the net volleying.
There's a myth about Lendl's career. Hard court tennis did not wear down the discs in Lendl's back. He wore down the discs in his lower back because of the severe strain he put on his back with his backhand topspin return of serve in which he left his feet pointed perpendicular to the net as he took his racket back into his backswing. Only as he made contact with the ball would he scissor-kick his legs into the correct position with right foot angled diagonally to the net.
yeah sure lendl couldn't win wimbledon cos he couldn't serve & volley,but on hardcourt he dominated & once held the longest time at number 1.Who cares if he was dour on court so was everyone else except the arrogant yanks mcenroe & connors.At least he didn't make a complete fool of himself like the lunatic mcenroe.
@kadaitcha72 Once a tennis magazine defined Lendl as "the only great grass player who never won Wimbledon" ...it 's an exageration but think abt this: he reached 2 finals and 5 semifinals at Wimbledon and won Queens 2 times against mcenroe and becker without (you are right) serve& volley ...becker or edberg havent the same score on clay ! A quarter final of a Slam tournament was already a top level match in 80 and there were too a lot of grass specialists which may send you home at first match
loved this guy growing up...that was a fun era in tennis man..lendl, mcenroe, connors, edberg, becker, wilander...so many legends playing at the same time in those days...
I was (and I still am) a huge Mcenroe fan, but I loved all the strokes of Lendl (BigMac´s nemesis). And Ivan´s backhand was (is) the most beautiful shot to see in tennis.
Lendl was my favourite player because hit hit with big power (for the day) and used good mechanics; it inspired me to learn proper mechanics (knee bend, etc)
Lendl showed how true power can be generated with proper body mechanics and not having to rely on the speed of his swing. He hits these powerful shots without showing much effort. Everything just comes together at the moment of impact.
Mi veniva giusto in mente Ivan con quel rovescio avendo a che fare con mio figlio che si stava meritando uno schiaffone sonoro , ed infatti, una volta ottenutolo il pargolo si è incazzato come Mc Enroe, stessa scena!
4:18 Lendl showcases great disguise on the backhand. I couldn't read when he was going to slice soon enough. He also ends the long rally with a backhand up the line winner off the back foot traveling slightly backwards too.
Lendl was the classic example of an athlete maximizing his potential. By his own admission he was the not the best athlete or talent but yet he was still able to be no 1 in the world
he never won wimbledon i always loved to see him fail
he worked so hard and then no chance against players like mac edberg
becker who had way more natural talent. when those players were in top form lendl had no chance he was nr 1 because he didnt have so many up and downs over the year
@rexkommher oh really?Is that way he has positive record with McEnroe and Becker? LOL..get a life you poor hater..Lendl was a boss and greatest of all time alongside B. Borg
@ARTZY64 Yeah I remember that. He was totally destroying Becker then rain stopped play - he didn't get back into his rythm at all when they resumed play later that day. He was just destined to never win Wimbledon I suppose. Still Lendl is my favourite player of all time.
@Lingel73 Yeah, he made the US Open final 8 years in a row, but lost 5 of them. Lendl is under appreciated because he was so dour on court, and made smart-ass comments in his press conferences; criticizing journalists for their stupid questions (good for him).
i can see you are an i.lendl fan like me. he was the greatest no.1. He was a fighter, dedicated and a trend setter. he brought fitness and power to the game. he was the first to change rackets with new balls, have personalized gear, such as shirts and shoes. he has achieved more than most but the most unappreciated
@bjornsiborgsi yea everyone forgets about him. people always think well 8 grand slams thats not that great. No He really was an innovater to modern tennis.
@bjornsiborgsi .Totally and completely agree with you.He is one of my all-time favorites too.He was not the most graceful player.But he worked extremely hard on his game.Was supremely fit and dedicated and always tried to improve.He and Martina N. brought fitness and power to the game.I loved when they dominated in the mid 80"s.....But Ivan was very unappreciated.Sports Illustrated once called him"the champion that nobody cares about".
I wish we could watch this awesomeness in HD!!!
InsaneMonkey7 1 month ago
Immenso!
sidelis 3 months ago
Very, very well put 7Lukib . . ., both comments. It is always a pleasure to read comments from posters who have taken the time to learn something about the subject of the vid they're commenting upon. Your attention to detail and understanding of the techniques involved are excellent. Well done. Cheers!
kw19193 5 months ago
I wish I could see Lendl, Becker, Edberg, McEnroe, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic all in one generation ! Would be fun !
MrSigma 6 months ago
He was my idol. I had all his gear, same racquet, same shoes, everything. Only thing I couldn't get my hands on at the time were adidas jocks!
FlashStar74 8 months ago
destruction over the place
ffallenaangel 10 months ago
Of the 3 great one-handed topspin backhands in pro tennis in the modern era (Lendl's, Henin's and Federer's), Federer's is the most fluid and Lendl's and Henin's are the most technically sound. Edberg had a beautifully fluid topspin backhand, but he didn't hit as many passing shot winners with it because he was constantly at the net volleying.
7Lukibi99Tore7 1 year ago
There's a myth about Lendl's career. Hard court tennis did not wear down the discs in Lendl's back. He wore down the discs in his lower back because of the severe strain he put on his back with his backhand topspin return of serve in which he left his feet pointed perpendicular to the net as he took his racket back into his backswing. Only as he made contact with the ball would he scissor-kick his legs into the correct position with right foot angled diagonally to the net.
7Lukibi99Tore7 1 year ago
yeah sure lendl couldn't win wimbledon cos he couldn't serve & volley,but on hardcourt he dominated & once held the longest time at number 1.Who cares if he was dour on court so was everyone else except the arrogant yanks mcenroe & connors.At least he didn't make a complete fool of himself like the lunatic mcenroe.
kadaitcha72 1 year ago
Comment removed
goodyears73 9 months ago
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goodyears73 9 months ago
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@kadaitcha72 Once a tennis magazine defined Lendl as "the only great grass player who never won Wimbledon" ...it 's an exageration but think abt this: he reached 2 finals and 5 semifinals at Wimbledon and won Queens 2 times against mcenroe and becker without (you are right) serve& volley ...becker or edberg havent the same score on clay ! A quarter final of a Slam tournament was already a top level match in 80 and there were too a lot of grass specialists which may send you home at first match
goodyears73 9 months ago
loved this guy growing up...that was a fun era in tennis man..lendl, mcenroe, connors, edberg, becker, wilander...so many legends playing at the same time in those days...
MrChiffy 1 year ago
I was (and I still am) a huge Mcenroe fan, but I loved all the strokes of Lendl (BigMac´s nemesis). And Ivan´s backhand was (is) the most beautiful shot to see in tennis.
Cheers to all Ivan´s fans.
michaelnight67 1 year ago
Lendl was my favourite player because hit hit with big power (for the day) and used good mechanics; it inspired me to learn proper mechanics (knee bend, etc)
ARTZY64 1 year ago
Lendl was so boss.
yoootooobeee 1 year ago
The Iceman !...he was even a scratch golfer too ! Tenacious and focused.
00Billy 1 year ago
What a fantastic single handed backhand!! He is able to generate so much power and still hit perfect shots
bjarktron 1 year ago
Lendl showed how true power can be generated with proper body mechanics and not having to rely on the speed of his swing. He hits these powerful shots without showing much effort. Everything just comes together at the moment of impact.
Simply the best!
brainshemp333 1 year ago
Mi veniva giusto in mente Ivan con quel rovescio avendo a che fare con mio figlio che si stava meritando uno schiaffone sonoro , ed infatti, una volta ottenutolo il pargolo si è incazzato come Mc Enroe, stessa scena!
è proprio vero che la storia si ripete!
Almeno mi diventasse come Mc Enroe
Hehehehehehe.
locutus239 1 year ago
que grande era ivan lendl para el mas grande de todos el mas elegante jugando al tenis
jury36 1 year ago
4:18 Lendl showcases great disguise on the backhand. I couldn't read when he was going to slice soon enough. He also ends the long rally with a backhand up the line winner off the back foot traveling slightly backwards too.
miltyu97 1 year ago
Oh my, early-90s Agassi. He looked like a Troll on a cycling vacation.
krakenwave 1 year ago
Lendl was the classic example of an athlete maximizing his potential. By his own admission he was the not the best athlete or talent but yet he was still able to be no 1 in the world
necolius 1 year ago
Lendl's wife, Samantha Frankel, is gorgeous! One of the best of all tennis wives...
ripperduck 1 year ago 2
Two best backhands I've ever seen are Lendl and Henin's. Just beautiful and enormous power, though I have to give Fed's a lot of credit as well.
ripperduck 1 year ago
My all time favorite !!
wilman77777 1 year ago
Ivan Lendl was one of the Best Tennis Players of all time
JimAsian1 1 year ago
he never won wimbledon i always loved to see him fail
he worked so hard and then no chance against players like mac edberg
becker who had way more natural talent. when those players were in top form lendl had no chance he was nr 1 because he didnt have so many up and downs over the year
rexkommher 1 year ago
@rexkommher oh really?Is that way he has positive record with McEnroe and Becker? LOL..get a life you poor hater..Lendl was a boss and greatest of all time alongside B. Borg
kozakon2 1 year ago
@rexkommher Lendl had Becker down 2-1 and a break in the 3rd in Wimbledon final; then it rained for an hour and Becker wound up winning.
ARTZY64 1 year ago
@ARTZY64 Yeah I remember that. He was totally destroying Becker then rain stopped play - he didn't get back into his rythm at all when they resumed play later that day. He was just destined to never win Wimbledon I suppose. Still Lendl is my favourite player of all time.
DingKong 8 months ago
Ivan Lenld the samurai of the tennis,use a racket like a sword,Great
Vento2010 1 year ago 8
one of the greatest. Sad, that he looses to many major finals.
Lingel73 2 years ago
@Lingel73 But he also won alot
JimAsian1 1 year ago
@Lingel73 Yeah, he made the US Open final 8 years in a row, but lost 5 of them. Lendl is under appreciated because he was so dour on court, and made smart-ass comments in his press conferences; criticizing journalists for their stupid questions (good for him).
ARTZY64 1 year ago
dont know how they made Jimbo and J.mac the rivalry of the 80's..when Ivan and John has more number of encounters
bdz67 2 years ago
i can see you are an i.lendl fan like me. he was the greatest no.1. He was a fighter, dedicated and a trend setter. he brought fitness and power to the game. he was the first to change rackets with new balls, have personalized gear, such as shirts and shoes. he has achieved more than most but the most unappreciated
bjornsiborgsi 2 years ago 19
@bjornsiborgsi yea everyone forgets about him. people always think well 8 grand slams thats not that great. No He really was an innovater to modern tennis.
ox092 1 year ago
@bjornsiborgsi Couldn't agree more with you my friend. Lendl = TRUE LEGEND!!!
I was his biggest fan!!
03041976001 1 year ago
@bjornsiborgsi .Totally and completely agree with you.He is one of my all-time favorites too.He was not the most graceful player.But he worked extremely hard on his game.Was supremely fit and dedicated and always tried to improve.He and Martina N. brought fitness and power to the game.I loved when they dominated in the mid 80"s.....But Ivan was very unappreciated.Sports Illustrated once called him"the champion that nobody cares about".
vlovesrafa 7 months ago