Lendl was amazing. I began to appreciate his effort and talent as I got older. I mean look at his competitions Bog, Connors, Mac, Becker, Edberg, Willanders and tails of his career overlap with likes of Agassi and Pete. Imagine how many GS he would have compiled if he was not caught in the middle of the most competitive era of tennis.
Man ifs Just comparing an artist situ a machine or Kasparov with big Blue. Mac is a genius, his shore are a work of art. And hé lost this match cause hé played 4 hours against wilander the day bécote underground record temperatures.
Ripperduck, your points, as always, are well taken. Mc's myrmidons simply can't accept the fact that it wasn't 'their' guy who revolutionized the mens' game. Whether this is due to their unwillingness/inability to know better, or a lingering adolescent loyalty to that first-class chump McEnroe, who knows, who cares . . . They always have some misbegotten, revisionist take on why their clown lost. Let 'em be.
@kw19193 Unfortunately for you and your fake vocabulary, that take is the same take tennis critics and players have had for the last two decades. The clown outplayed Lendl when he was at his best, if you try to deny that, you're always going to be reminded by someone. Nothing wrong with being a Lendl fan, you just must try not to distort things to make him look better.
@kw19193 U're right but for me its always fun to show up idiots for who they are. Mc was very good for a short period of time, but he was very good playing a style that had always been in place. Lendl was the father of power tennis, the game was never the same after he showed up. Moreover he showed that he could alter his game during his career, he made himself a very good grass court player. That is imo a remarkable achievement and one that few people acknowledge.
@ripperduck Still calling names, and not realizing that improving your game doesn't necessarily make you greater than someone whose game is already superb.
Oh, and McEnroe played a style that was always there? What the hell are you talking about? He did things on the court that noone ever saw before. Lendl was maybe the first guy to train really hard. That was his contribution. Makes me yawn a little bit but yeah. But pure talented players thrived before as well as after him.
@tallshort79 U R still an idiot. Lendl has a better record than Mc, so its more than training, the dude was better. They were contemporaries they were a year apart in age, Mc never made the attempt to stretch his game, simply too lazy to do it. And what the hell are you talking about re:Mc? He S&V'd oh yeah we never saw that before. Quantitatively, qualitatively Lendl was greater than Mc. He trained hard to change his game and with that he changed the game for good. Mc never came close to that.
You know fuckall about tennis and logic as well, that's what I proved. The proof that McEnroe's game declined is that he started losing to guys he wasn't losing to the year before. Lendl was stronger than those guys so he started beating Mc on a regular basis. He was a great player who had his peak when McEnroe wasn't that strong anymore. Simple.
@tallshort79 U R an idiot. Lendl game vastly improved not just got stronger. Ivan couldn't play on grass, couldn't volley worth a damn, hated the surface. He got a grass court and then went to Wimbly finals and won grass court tourneys. He didn't get stronger, he improved his game dipshit. Mc NEVER improved his baseline game in order to become a better clay court player. He NEVER altered his grip so that his forehand could ever be a weapon, and he didn't alter that grip because he never wanted
@ripperduck to put the work in to become a decent baseliner. That would have entailed enormous effort to improve his stamina, strength and strokes. U r too stupid to understand that Lendl ushered in a new era of tennis, and Mc started to lose to guys because he couldn't/wouldnt adapt to the new game and began to get blown off the court. Again u r too much of Mc dickrider to realize that Mc and Ivan were only a few years apart in age, and that if Mc had wanted to improve he could have. Too lazy.
@ripperduck Mc and Lendl were only one year apart in age, but that's not the problem, Mc was an early, natural, immense talent, Ivan a much lesser one that needed time to work on his game. You have a point when you say that Mc didn't want to keep the pace of the new generation, although it was not laziness, just his mind wasn't all about tennis anymore, which is exactly what i was saying when i stated his game decline. It takes a lot to get something good out of what you say but what the heck.
@tallshort79 SFW if MC had "immense natural talent" at an early age. He failed to develop his game further than what he had initially whereas Lendl used the talent he had and increased it to the point he became a far better player much longer than did Mc. And what kind of weak ass excuse are you pushing here, that he had other things on this mind. That's what makes someone great at anything, their focus/drive. Basically you just ratified my point, Lendl became the greater player by using
@ripperduck everything. The early book on Lendl: amazing FH, dodgy BH, hates grass, can't volley, weak mind. At his peak, that book read amazing FH, great BH, very good grass, solid volley, mentally as strong as anyone. Mc's book never changed, bad FH, okay bh, amazing s&V, out of shape. Lendl was a work in progress when he hit the pros, Mc pretty much was done. Lendl kept working to become the best, Mc too lazy to do more than what he had. And your weak rationalizations underscore your nonsense
@ripperduck No, i ratified my own point, which wasn't that Mc was greater than Lendl; my point was always he was better than Lendl as long as he stayed focused and motivated. I don't need to make excuses for anyone because i'm not a "fan" of either player, of course i liked McEnroe's game better, but who doesn't.
@ripperduck Your insults are the smartest part of your reply. Lendl's game improved -which is the the same thing as saying thaty he got stronger, but that's maybe a little too complicated for you - because it needed too. Mc's game did not improve because it needed not. Proof is 84 final, when John wiped the court with Lendl until his hot temper made him lose focus and got the better of him.
@tallshort79 U r still an idiot. Not name calling, just describing. I noticed that you didn't bother addressing the fact that Ivan became an adept S&V to the point that he reached Wibly finals and won grass court tourneys. Mc NEVER developed a baseline game, the stamina/strength to be able to play on clay. Proof was that Lendl went on to win Paris Mc never challenged again. Furthermore u forgot to mention that the final three sets Lendl kicked Mc's ass, which only goes to show how silly u r.
Well said ripperduck! Can you imagine the enormity of Lendl's reputation had he been American with the American media worshipping him rather than the Tantrum Twins(and a tip of the hat to Dojocho there)? How well you did the math: Lendl = Sampras = Federer. We may well soon have to add Nadal to the equation, but as things stand now right there's the architecture of modern tennis . . .
Yes lendl was not a fav of american media..they portrayed him as some russian commie....he started the whole intense training diet..conditioning that we see today...mac was naturally gifted but he did not work at it .......lendl was great
Let's not forget that Lendl would have won at Wimbledon against Becker in 1989 were it not for an egregiously incompetent chair umpire. That said, Becker could be fun to watch. Kind of a big lug who just happened to win Grand Slams . . .
Lendl was great but his records against the other players have to faces. He might lead against Becker 11:10 but Becker leads 5:1 in GS matches including 3 GS finals. If I am not wrong Wilander, McEnroe and Connors have similar records too. Sampras beated Lendl in US Open 1990 and Australien Open 1994. Edberg leads 4:3. But except Becker I am not sure at all.
@PacoZola Becker leads 5-1 in GS matches only because he played three times on grass, the surface that the German loved more and Lendl's most hated. If they played at Frech Open it would easily have been the contrary.
The difference is that Lendl could challenge Becker on grass; Becker wasn't good enough even to challenge Lendl on clay.
No offense intended schrittwieser but you should not quote Mats Wilander to support your argument. Wilander has spoken very eloquently about this issue. When asked who among the three, Lendl/Connors/McEnroe, he respected most he responded "Lendl". When asked who of the three was the most difficult and challenging to play he responded "Lendl". His answers were of course much more detailed than space allows, but he left no doubt that he respected Lendl far more than either of the Tantrum Twins.
@kw19193 Before Fed's amazing run, Sampras was asked what was the most remarkable record that he knew of in tennis. Without hesitation, Pete said Lend's 8 straight USOpen final appearances. That was a testament to just how great Ivan was, that Ivan could get the best prior to Roger to make that statement.
@ripperduck Yes, one has to have six straight victories to make the final. That's going 6-0 each year. 48-0 in eight pre-final rounds total. Compare Rocky Marciano's 49-0 win streak. Nadal's streak of straight wins on clay is impressive too, including finals! Not just up until the finals, for Nadal.
mattedinenno I do not want to argue with you. Sampras and McEnroe both are better than Lendl. Sampras had the best serve and forehand. And Sampras could volley something Lendl could learn to do. McEnroe just GOD given talent. If he trained like Lendl we would not be talking about Federer. Ask Matts Wilander he will tell you.
John has more talent in his little finger than Ivan has in his whole body. Ivan was an over achiever, a work horse that could not volley. Serve and big forehand similar to Jim courier. Tony Roach his coach beat lendl on grass in Ireland when Lendl was number 1. He was an eastern euro blockhead. I loved when Mac called him an f'n comunnist.
Serve and big forehand like Sampras!? And In this video i see also great Backhand. Lendl beated McEnroe 6/4 6/2 in semi than Becker 6/3 6/2 in final a t Queen's, ON GRASS!! And he allways played rigorously serve&volley on grass, unlike Borg or Federer too. No titles at Wimb, but 2 final and 5 semi. Mc RG score? Ivan vs John head to head? Mc was, in my opinion, the most talented player of all time, but Lendl's forehand, backhand and serve, talent or less, are marvelous masterpieces.
Lendl was 2-5 against Borg, but let's not forget Borg retired in 1981 when Lendl was 21 and Ivan's best years were 1984-1987, 1989-1990 and absolute best in 1986-1987.
lendl was a better player than mac because he won more slams, eight to macs seven however I think the mac at his best in 84 would have beaten lendl at his best. Also hated Macs antics but he was so much better to watch, Lendl bored me rigid but hey that just my opinin.
Well said ricappon. Lendl is perhaps the single most under-appreciated, overlooked champion of the modern era in tennis. McEnroe and Connors have spent an enormous amount of time and effort denigrating Lendl in hopes of elevating themselves. The simple fact of the matter is Lendl's better than either of them . . .
Couldn't agree more. McEnroe always had an excuse when Lendl beat him. He never could accept it-that Lendl's steady groundstrokes presented problems against both him and Connors. I believe Lendl had a winning record against McEnroe, Connors and Agassi.
@kw19193 Without a doubt, Lendl > Mcenroe/Conners. Just these two points alone show how fast, quick and powerful Lendl was and how he demolished those two at his peak.
@tallshort79 These points were indicative of his play at the time. He beat Mc decisively in this match and most of those that followed. The sheer power of his groundies overwhelmed Mc and quite a few of his contemporaries. You would have a point if these two shots were anomalies, rather they were characteristic of his game.
@ripperduck two backhand passing shots. very good ones. the same he was playing when mc was beating him. let's not forget the head to head lead that lendl has over mcenroe comes from the last six or seven matches that lendl won during mc's declining years. let's not make it look like mc was lendl's punching ball.
@tallshort79 Actually not. He wasn't in condition to hit those kinds of shots consistently, or get into position to hit them well. He got killed of his bh early on. Lendl then made the decision that conditioning was crucial in order to get the footwork/stamina to hit those shots with huge power. That is why he's called the Father of Modern Tennis, because there was a sea change before and after his era. What we're seeing here is Mc playing as he did prior to that change, which occurred with Ivan
@ripperduck Nonsense. I won't deny that Lendl's game had improved by 1985, but saying that McEnroe kept the same standard he had the year before is ridiculous. He lost to Zivojinovic in Australia, Wilander in Paris, Curren - in straight sets - in Wimbledon, did they all suddenly get amazing footwork/stamina?
@tallshort79 U don't get it ahole. Mc game DIDN'T improve nor was it altered. It was still the same as it was when he came up from Stanford. Get to the net and don't rely on your baseline game. And the bullshit comes from you because he began to lose to Ivan on a regular basis, not to the guys you mention. Why not throw in Kriek in your mix as well. You only proved my point, that Ivan began to beat EVERYONE on a regular basis due to the fact he altered his game. Mc slid because he didn't.
sampras also played agaisnt edberg, becker during his prime, edberg was ranked #2 n #3 in 1992 n 1993, he was also in top 8 in 94 i believe he was #7. becker was always ranked #4 or #6 in 93, 94, 95 n 96. in fact becker himself said he played one of his best matches in 96 ATP world championship final against sampras, but he still lost in 5 sets.
Us Open '85: now Lendl reached his peak, with a new topspin backhand, new volley play and a new mental and phisical preparation. The king of tennis in second half of 80s.
Pete Sampras kicks Lendl's ass - even though Lendl was imposing. The great and almighty Ivan who had an 8-11 GS finals record. I loved when Mats beat him in the 88 US Open Final. I think all the spectators at that match were also pulling for Mats.
john mcenroe is my favorite player to watch, his ball striking and good hands were unbelievable. probably would have gone on to win more if he were a really fit/athletic type of guy but he wasn't particularly gifted in the fitness part in general
Yes, his tennis skills early were unique - last of the wood racquet players.
Too bad he was such a horrible spoiled New Yorker Ahole.
When he was winning and young, one could put up with his personaility - make some excuses that
He was a fierce competitor.
When he came down a bit and lost some/a lot, he was the worst, the worst brat, little league player, parent I can't stand him to this day, don't understand why he is still a commentator, why I see his ugly face on a can of tennis balls
Mac had great hands and won 77 singles and 78 doubles titles. Can anyone say that? he didn't concentrate on fitness early enough, but as he said, he got away with it for 8 years.
'85 us open. big difference in Lendl. Now he has a topspin backhand and no more of that weak slice backhand, that mcenroe used to put away with volleys. Lendl now can use his topspin backhand to overpower mac with nasty passing shots.
The reason why his backhand slice was weak against Mac was because Mac mixed up his serve and you couldn't tell where he was going to hit it. Against power players, his slice was effective. You saw with Jimmy Connors did to Ken Rosewall's slice in 74.
@Ariamaluum- There is no reason like that .. The fact is the SLICE is very effective against powerful Groundstrokers to cut the power...
Slice is the worst option against VOLLEY SPECIALISTS. You cannot slice to a person who comes in to volley constantly! BEcause the ball jumps flies into the air slowly and can be put away.
Its a brilliant shot to cut down the groundies power .... But a BAD OPTION against Volleyers!
@errolmiranda. You can't slice off a serve and volley but if you have Rosewall's ability to hit it cross and down the line, you got a shot. Ken never had a topspin backhand but that slice proved that it work against volleyers. Lendl had to come up with a top-spin back-hand to keep Mac honest and a lob that is how he beat McEnroe. But really John's late partying caught up with his legs.
Lendl was an overachieverand McEnroe an underachiever. John had a life outside tennis. Studio 54 with Vitas and Hollywood parties. Lendl hit tennis balls and married a 17 year old. Lost a club doubles match in Weschester with a guy named Ron Leschner when he was No. 1. Lendl did not have John's hands just pure power.
dude, he lost in doubles when he was no.1. what does this say about his partner? he must have been a quadraplegic. are you trying to say he could have taken on lendl in singles? in his prime? what are you really trying to say?
Lendl's club partner was his close friend - a lawyer 10 yrs senior, an enthusiastic amateur. the partnership was for fun - comedy doubles sort of charity fundraising. Their friendship endured-families staying together during Lendl's later career slams.
+Lendl's wife was/ is hawt and Mac's-wife-then a Hollywood heroin/crackhead.
Lendl's lack of "a real life outside of tennis" has served him much better than Mac's.Not to mention Lendl's 5 talented and beautiful daughters.
@krakenwave Lendl's wife Samantha was one of the best of all the players wives/gf's. She just much finer than McEnroe's idiot wife, who is so badly addled she wasn't able to see her kids for some time without supervision. Samantha is a teacher and Ivan helps out at her school. They have been together for over 20 years. Even off the court in their private lives Lendl >>>McEnroe....
@Schrittwieser - How dare you insult someone like Lendl just because you want to show McEnroe as greater?
Not everyone is the same. Not everyone can party and SCREAM IN EVERY SINGLE MATCH. AND BECOME INFAMOUSLY FAMOUS for his screaming. Not everyone has the same personality.
Audiences seem to like McEnroe more because he was an ENTERTAINER, not because he was better than Lendl. The matter of the fact is that Lendl was quiet, reserved and deemed arrogant.
@Schrittwieser Lendl was NOT an Overachiever. In fact McEnroe was an OVERACHIEVER.
His screaming tantrum throwing antics made people put him in the limelight and expect him to win more. In spite that he didnt win more than lendl and that is a fact!
And the next time you wish to say McEnroe is better, come back with match stats etc. Dont go on and on ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND PERSONALITIES!
Lendl was not born in America. He was obviously more conservative.
hahahaha...never heard anybody call j-mac 'overhyped'...if you were anything but a rambling idiot, you could take a quick look at any clip of his playing and quickly determine why people think he's as great as they do.
McEnroe has to be the most overhyped player ever. How did he win that many slams, looks like the worst player. Those backhands were just as good as Federer's passing shots.
From your comment i know you have to be younger than 30, call me Nostradamus. In 1984 McEnroe finished with a winning percentage of 98 percent...He won 19 TOTAL slams (a record for men)and despite these numbers, is easily the greatest underachiever in the history of tennis....
Very true! However, the matter of the fact is that any professional success would only come with dedication/effort/gift plus a little bit of luck. McEnroe may easily be the greatest underachiever, but that outcome was his own choice. No one can simply look down Lendl's impeccable discipline/tanacity/credentials. His 100% devotion to the tennis profession is itself a gift. Let's ask ourself this question: How many people would do like what Lendl did?
Sampras rocks over Lendl. Accept it - 14 grand slams to Lendl's 8. Oh and by the way, Lendl had the awe inspiring 8-11 GS Finals record. I will always be a fan of Mats for beating him in the 88 US Open. Lendl was great but he was also a jerk. None of the guys on tour could stand him.
Well Sampras rocks over everyone including Federer and Nadal, he was simply the best ever, but you still have to put Lendl as one of the greats, his era was so good, yet he still dominated, even on his worst surface he still made 2 Wimbledon finals and beat Becker at queens, he would have won 9 if he didn't skip the French that year, at his best he could beat anyone, his record proves that
Sport is not a popularity contest, it's about results. Ted Williams was one of the most unpleasant men ever to play Baseball. That in no way detracts from his greatness as a player. I will always remember how Ivan Lendl was the man who sent Crybaby McEnroe to the showers. He is still the most lethal player ever, hitting down the line. McEnroe relied on his uncanny flair at the net to compensate for often making weak approach shots. Lendl made him pay!
Lendl was amazing. I began to appreciate his effort and talent as I got older. I mean look at his competitions Bog, Connors, Mac, Becker, Edberg, Willanders and tails of his career overlap with likes of Agassi and Pete. Imagine how many GS he would have compiled if he was not caught in the middle of the most competitive era of tennis.
nocode61 5 months ago
As if proof were needed . . .
kw19193 9 months ago
Man ifs Just comparing an artist situ a machine or Kasparov with big Blue. Mac is a genius, his shore are a work of art. And hé lost this match cause hé played 4 hours against wilander the day bécote underground record temperatures.
manuelace 9 months ago
Ripperduck, your points, as always, are well taken. Mc's myrmidons simply can't accept the fact that it wasn't 'their' guy who revolutionized the mens' game. Whether this is due to their unwillingness/inability to know better, or a lingering adolescent loyalty to that first-class chump McEnroe, who knows, who cares . . . They always have some misbegotten, revisionist take on why their clown lost. Let 'em be.
kw19193 9 months ago
@kw19193 Unfortunately for you and your fake vocabulary, that take is the same take tennis critics and players have had for the last two decades. The clown outplayed Lendl when he was at his best, if you try to deny that, you're always going to be reminded by someone. Nothing wrong with being a Lendl fan, you just must try not to distort things to make him look better.
tallshort79 9 months ago
@kw19193 U're right but for me its always fun to show up idiots for who they are. Mc was very good for a short period of time, but he was very good playing a style that had always been in place. Lendl was the father of power tennis, the game was never the same after he showed up. Moreover he showed that he could alter his game during his career, he made himself a very good grass court player. That is imo a remarkable achievement and one that few people acknowledge.
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck Still calling names, and not realizing that improving your game doesn't necessarily make you greater than someone whose game is already superb.
Oh, and McEnroe played a style that was always there? What the hell are you talking about? He did things on the court that noone ever saw before. Lendl was maybe the first guy to train really hard. That was his contribution. Makes me yawn a little bit but yeah. But pure talented players thrived before as well as after him.
tallshort79 9 months ago
@tallshort79 U R still an idiot. Lendl has a better record than Mc, so its more than training, the dude was better. They were contemporaries they were a year apart in age, Mc never made the attempt to stretch his game, simply too lazy to do it. And what the hell are you talking about re:Mc? He S&V'd oh yeah we never saw that before. Quantitatively, qualitatively Lendl was greater than Mc. He trained hard to change his game and with that he changed the game for good. Mc never came close to that.
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck yes people saw serve and volley game before. you are so perceptive. get lost
tallshort79 9 months ago
You know fuckall about tennis and logic as well, that's what I proved. The proof that McEnroe's game declined is that he started losing to guys he wasn't losing to the year before. Lendl was stronger than those guys so he started beating Mc on a regular basis. He was a great player who had his peak when McEnroe wasn't that strong anymore. Simple.
tallshort79 9 months ago
@tallshort79 U R an idiot. Lendl game vastly improved not just got stronger. Ivan couldn't play on grass, couldn't volley worth a damn, hated the surface. He got a grass court and then went to Wimbly finals and won grass court tourneys. He didn't get stronger, he improved his game dipshit. Mc NEVER improved his baseline game in order to become a better clay court player. He NEVER altered his grip so that his forehand could ever be a weapon, and he didn't alter that grip because he never wanted
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck to put the work in to become a decent baseliner. That would have entailed enormous effort to improve his stamina, strength and strokes. U r too stupid to understand that Lendl ushered in a new era of tennis, and Mc started to lose to guys because he couldn't/wouldnt adapt to the new game and began to get blown off the court. Again u r too much of Mc dickrider to realize that Mc and Ivan were only a few years apart in age, and that if Mc had wanted to improve he could have. Too lazy.
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck Mc and Lendl were only one year apart in age, but that's not the problem, Mc was an early, natural, immense talent, Ivan a much lesser one that needed time to work on his game. You have a point when you say that Mc didn't want to keep the pace of the new generation, although it was not laziness, just his mind wasn't all about tennis anymore, which is exactly what i was saying when i stated his game decline. It takes a lot to get something good out of what you say but what the heck.
tallshort79 9 months ago
@tallshort79 SFW if MC had "immense natural talent" at an early age. He failed to develop his game further than what he had initially whereas Lendl used the talent he had and increased it to the point he became a far better player much longer than did Mc. And what kind of weak ass excuse are you pushing here, that he had other things on this mind. That's what makes someone great at anything, their focus/drive. Basically you just ratified my point, Lendl became the greater player by using
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck everything. The early book on Lendl: amazing FH, dodgy BH, hates grass, can't volley, weak mind. At his peak, that book read amazing FH, great BH, very good grass, solid volley, mentally as strong as anyone. Mc's book never changed, bad FH, okay bh, amazing s&V, out of shape. Lendl was a work in progress when he hit the pros, Mc pretty much was done. Lendl kept working to become the best, Mc too lazy to do more than what he had. And your weak rationalizations underscore your nonsense
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck No, i ratified my own point, which wasn't that Mc was greater than Lendl; my point was always he was better than Lendl as long as he stayed focused and motivated. I don't need to make excuses for anyone because i'm not a "fan" of either player, of course i liked McEnroe's game better, but who doesn't.
tallshort79 9 months ago
@ripperduck Your insults are the smartest part of your reply. Lendl's game improved -which is the the same thing as saying thaty he got stronger, but that's maybe a little too complicated for you - because it needed too. Mc's game did not improve because it needed not. Proof is 84 final, when John wiped the court with Lendl until his hot temper made him lose focus and got the better of him.
tallshort79 9 months ago
@tallshort79 U r still an idiot. Not name calling, just describing. I noticed that you didn't bother addressing the fact that Ivan became an adept S&V to the point that he reached Wibly finals and won grass court tourneys. Mc NEVER developed a baseline game, the stamina/strength to be able to play on clay. Proof was that Lendl went on to win Paris Mc never challenged again. Furthermore u forgot to mention that the final three sets Lendl kicked Mc's ass, which only goes to show how silly u r.
ripperduck 9 months ago
Well said ripperduck! Can you imagine the enormity of Lendl's reputation had he been American with the American media worshipping him rather than the Tantrum Twins(and a tip of the hat to Dojocho there)? How well you did the math: Lendl = Sampras = Federer. We may well soon have to add Nadal to the equation, but as things stand now right there's the architecture of modern tennis . . .
kw19193 1 year ago
Yes lendl was not a fav of american media..they portrayed him as some russian commie....he started the whole intense training diet..conditioning that we see today...mac was naturally gifted but he did not work at it .......lendl was great
Dojocho 1 year ago
Let's not forget that Lendl would have won at Wimbledon against Becker in 1989 were it not for an egregiously incompetent chair umpire. That said, Becker could be fun to watch. Kind of a big lug who just happened to win Grand Slams . . .
kw19193 1 year ago
@kw19193 aaand you're an idiot
tallshort79 9 months ago
@tallshort79 Funny I was thinking that of you.....
ripperduck 9 months ago
Lendl was great but his records against the other players have to faces. He might lead against Becker 11:10 but Becker leads 5:1 in GS matches including 3 GS finals. If I am not wrong Wilander, McEnroe and Connors have similar records too. Sampras beated Lendl in US Open 1990 and Australien Open 1994. Edberg leads 4:3. But except Becker I am not sure at all.
PacoZola 1 year ago
@PacoZola Becker leads 5-1 in GS matches only because he played three times on grass, the surface that the German loved more and Lendl's most hated. If they played at Frech Open it would easily have been the contrary.
The difference is that Lendl could challenge Becker on grass; Becker wasn't good enough even to challenge Lendl on clay.
Pitonto 1 year ago 2
@Pitonto Well Becker also beated him at the US and A. Open. And for sure
I think Becker beated him at carpet in Masters Finals, but Lendl did it too.
Whatever I miss the old days.
PacoZola 1 year ago
No offense intended schrittwieser but you should not quote Mats Wilander to support your argument. Wilander has spoken very eloquently about this issue. When asked who among the three, Lendl/Connors/McEnroe, he respected most he responded "Lendl". When asked who of the three was the most difficult and challenging to play he responded "Lendl". His answers were of course much more detailed than space allows, but he left no doubt that he respected Lendl far more than either of the Tantrum Twins.
kw19193 1 year ago
@kw19193 Before Fed's amazing run, Sampras was asked what was the most remarkable record that he knew of in tennis. Without hesitation, Pete said Lend's 8 straight USOpen final appearances. That was a testament to just how great Ivan was, that Ivan could get the best prior to Roger to make that statement.
ripperduck 1 year ago
@ripperduck Yes, one has to have six straight victories to make the final. That's going 6-0 each year. 48-0 in eight pre-final rounds total. Compare Rocky Marciano's 49-0 win streak. Nadal's streak of straight wins on clay is impressive too, including finals! Not just up until the finals, for Nadal.
DexterHaven49 10 months ago
mattedinenno I do not want to argue with you. Sampras and McEnroe both are better than Lendl. Sampras had the best serve and forehand. And Sampras could volley something Lendl could learn to do. McEnroe just GOD given talent. If he trained like Lendl we would not be talking about Federer. Ask Matts Wilander he will tell you.
Schrittwieser 1 year ago
John has more talent in his little finger than Ivan has in his whole body. Ivan was an over achiever, a work horse that could not volley. Serve and big forehand similar to Jim courier. Tony Roach his coach beat lendl on grass in Ireland when Lendl was number 1. He was an eastern euro blockhead. I loved when Mac called him an f'n comunnist.
Schrittwieser 1 year ago
@Schrittwieser - And is that why McEnroe never played played tennis with fools during his NUMBER ONE days ?
Mc Enroe wouldve killed the guy who beat him ! lol..
Seriously, your argument is absolutely useless... Your as dumb as the media!
Go get some sleep. FAIL !
samaybrahmin 1 year ago
Serve and big forehand like Sampras!? And In this video i see also great Backhand. Lendl beated McEnroe 6/4 6/2 in semi than Becker 6/3 6/2 in final a t Queen's, ON GRASS!! And he allways played rigorously serve&volley on grass, unlike Borg or Federer too. No titles at Wimb, but 2 final and 5 semi. Mc RG score? Ivan vs John head to head? Mc was, in my opinion, the most talented player of all time, but Lendl's forehand, backhand and serve, talent or less, are marvelous masterpieces.
matteodinenno 1 year ago
Lendl- McEnroe 21-15
Lendl- Connors 22-13
Lendl Agassi 6-2
Lendl-Courier 4-0
Lendl-Sampras 3-5
Lendl-Becker 11-10
Lendl-Edberg 13-14
Pitonto 2 years ago 2
@Pitonto You Forgot Lendl-Wilander (15/7) and Lendl-Borg (2/5)
matteodinenno 2 years ago
Lendl was 2-5 against Borg, but let's not forget Borg retired in 1981 when Lendl was 21 and Ivan's best years were 1984-1987, 1989-1990 and absolute best in 1986-1987.
89Pleasek 1 year ago
lendl was a better player than mac because he won more slams, eight to macs seven however I think the mac at his best in 84 would have beaten lendl at his best. Also hated Macs antics but he was so much better to watch, Lendl bored me rigid but hey that just my opinin.
dan290571 2 years ago
Well said ricappon. Lendl is perhaps the single most under-appreciated, overlooked champion of the modern era in tennis. McEnroe and Connors have spent an enormous amount of time and effort denigrating Lendl in hopes of elevating themselves. The simple fact of the matter is Lendl's better than either of them . . .
kw19193 2 years ago 9
Couldn't agree more. McEnroe always had an excuse when Lendl beat him. He never could accept it-that Lendl's steady groundstrokes presented problems against both him and Connors. I believe Lendl had a winning record against McEnroe, Connors and Agassi.
drumdude1000 2 years ago
@kw19193 Without a doubt, Lendl > Mcenroe/Conners. Just these two points alone show how fast, quick and powerful Lendl was and how he demolished those two at his peak.
ripperduck 1 year ago
@ripperduck of course, you can prove whatever argument you want with a selection of two points
tallshort79 9 months ago
@tallshort79 These points were indicative of his play at the time. He beat Mc decisively in this match and most of those that followed. The sheer power of his groundies overwhelmed Mc and quite a few of his contemporaries. You would have a point if these two shots were anomalies, rather they were characteristic of his game.
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck two backhand passing shots. very good ones. the same he was playing when mc was beating him. let's not forget the head to head lead that lendl has over mcenroe comes from the last six or seven matches that lendl won during mc's declining years. let's not make it look like mc was lendl's punching ball.
tallshort79 9 months ago
@tallshort79 Actually not. He wasn't in condition to hit those kinds of shots consistently, or get into position to hit them well. He got killed of his bh early on. Lendl then made the decision that conditioning was crucial in order to get the footwork/stamina to hit those shots with huge power. That is why he's called the Father of Modern Tennis, because there was a sea change before and after his era. What we're seeing here is Mc playing as he did prior to that change, which occurred with Ivan
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck Nonsense. I won't deny that Lendl's game had improved by 1985, but saying that McEnroe kept the same standard he had the year before is ridiculous. He lost to Zivojinovic in Australia, Wilander in Paris, Curren - in straight sets - in Wimbledon, did they all suddenly get amazing footwork/stamina?
tallshort79 9 months ago
@tallshort79 U don't get it ahole. Mc game DIDN'T improve nor was it altered. It was still the same as it was when he came up from Stanford. Get to the net and don't rely on your baseline game. And the bullshit comes from you because he began to lose to Ivan on a regular basis, not to the guys you mention. Why not throw in Kriek in your mix as well. You only proved my point, that Ivan began to beat EVERYONE on a regular basis due to the fact he altered his game. Mc slid because he didn't.
ripperduck 9 months ago
Man! I just love how Lendl stays down for the ENTIRE stroke when exectuing the backhand passing shot!
It's a lot easier said than done!
spacecated 2 years ago
Lendl is and will be forever the father of modern tennis . like it or not .
ricappon 2 years ago 8
@ricappon Absolutely true.
ripperduck 1 year ago
Lendl was the best player of his generation, playing against Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Becker, Edberg, Wilander at their best.
Who were Sampras rivals?
He has is 6-2 against Agassi, and 4-0 against Courier who are ten years younger.
He is only 3-5 against Samparas, his pupil, 11 years younger.
He kicked Sampras ass even at 33, few months before his retirement, in Philadelphia, when Pete was no. 1 in the world.
Pitonto 2 years ago
sampras also played agaisnt edberg, becker during his prime, edberg was ranked #2 n #3 in 1992 n 1993, he was also in top 8 in 94 i believe he was #7. becker was always ranked #4 or #6 in 93, 94, 95 n 96. in fact becker himself said he played one of his best matches in 96 ATP world championship final against sampras, but he still lost in 5 sets.
nizzam1 2 years ago
Us Open '85: now Lendl reached his peak, with a new topspin backhand, new volley play and a new mental and phisical preparation. The king of tennis in second half of 80s.
Pitonto 2 years ago
Pete Sampras kicks Lendl's ass - even though Lendl was imposing. The great and almighty Ivan who had an 8-11 GS finals record. I loved when Mats beat him in the 88 US Open Final. I think all the spectators at that match were also pulling for Mats.
walliegirl2 2 years ago
Bah. Lendl lost only his first finals, when he wasn't really good.
Lendl at 33 defeated Sampras in Philadelphia. He is only 3-5 against his pupil Pete, even if was 11 years older than him.
I don't know why you hate Lendl, one of the best players ever.
Pitonto 2 years ago 2
john mcenroe is my favorite player to watch, his ball striking and good hands were unbelievable. probably would have gone on to win more if he were a really fit/athletic type of guy but he wasn't particularly gifted in the fitness part in general
ProjectCat9000 3 years ago
Yes, his tennis skills early were unique - last of the wood racquet players.
Too bad he was such a horrible spoiled New Yorker Ahole.
When he was winning and young, one could put up with his personaility - make some excuses that
He was a fierce competitor.
When he came down a bit and lost some/a lot, he was the worst, the worst brat, little league player, parent I can't stand him to this day, don't understand why he is still a commentator, why I see his ugly face on a can of tennis balls
organizedactivist 2 years ago
"Lendl's on the Haas diet, I'm on the Hagen Dazs diet!"
alkh3myst 2 years ago
Mac had great hands and won 77 singles and 78 doubles titles. Can anyone say that? he didn't concentrate on fitness early enough, but as he said, he got away with it for 8 years.
spjfrat 3 years ago
'85 us open. big difference in Lendl. Now he has a topspin backhand and no more of that weak slice backhand, that mcenroe used to put away with volleys. Lendl now can use his topspin backhand to overpower mac with nasty passing shots.
subban 3 years ago
The reason why his backhand slice was weak against Mac was because Mac mixed up his serve and you couldn't tell where he was going to hit it. Against power players, his slice was effective. You saw with Jimmy Connors did to Ken Rosewall's slice in 74.
Ariamaluum 3 years ago
@Ariamaluum- There is no reason like that .. The fact is the SLICE is very effective against powerful Groundstrokers to cut the power...
Slice is the worst option against VOLLEY SPECIALISTS. You cannot slice to a person who comes in to volley constantly! BEcause the ball jumps flies into the air slowly and can be put away.
Its a brilliant shot to cut down the groundies power .... But a BAD OPTION against Volleyers!
errolmiranda 1 year ago
@errolmiranda. You can't slice off a serve and volley but if you have Rosewall's ability to hit it cross and down the line, you got a shot. Ken never had a topspin backhand but that slice proved that it work against volleyers. Lendl had to come up with a top-spin back-hand to keep Mac honest and a lob that is how he beat McEnroe. But really John's late partying caught up with his legs.
Ariamaluum 1 year ago
@Ariamaluum - Are you on COKE ???? Seriously man you need to WAKE UP!
Ken Rosewalls era , there was nothing called POWER HITTING. There was only Flair and Finesse! Lol
I cant even start to imagine your comparing the likes of power hitting Lendl to Rosewall days.
Rosewall was gr8 for his era perhaps, But lets keep as far as that !
samaybrahmin 1 year ago
Lendl was an overachieverand McEnroe an underachiever. John had a life outside tennis. Studio 54 with Vitas and Hollywood parties. Lendl hit tennis balls and married a 17 year old. Lost a club doubles match in Weschester with a guy named Ron Leschner when he was No. 1. Lendl did not have John's hands just pure power.
Schrittwieser 3 years ago
dude, he lost in doubles when he was no.1. what does this say about his partner? he must have been a quadraplegic. are you trying to say he could have taken on lendl in singles? in his prime? what are you really trying to say?
bjornsiborgsi 3 years ago
Lendl's club partner was his close friend - a lawyer 10 yrs senior, an enthusiastic amateur. the partnership was for fun - comedy doubles sort of charity fundraising. Their friendship endured-families staying together during Lendl's later career slams.
+Lendl's wife was/ is hawt and Mac's-wife-then a Hollywood heroin/crackhead.
Lendl's lack of "a real life outside of tennis" has served him much better than Mac's.Not to mention Lendl's 5 talented and beautiful daughters.
krakenwave 3 years ago
@krakenwave Lendl's wife Samantha was one of the best of all the players wives/gf's. She just much finer than McEnroe's idiot wife, who is so badly addled she wasn't able to see her kids for some time without supervision. Samantha is a teacher and Ivan helps out at her school. They have been together for over 20 years. Even off the court in their private lives Lendl >>>McEnroe....
ripperduck 9 months ago
@ripperduck
Yeah, I heard that Ivan and Samantha actually started up a Montessori school in Florida when they moved there a few years ago.
krakenwave 8 months ago
@Schrittwieser - How dare you insult someone like Lendl just because you want to show McEnroe as greater?
Not everyone is the same. Not everyone can party and SCREAM IN EVERY SINGLE MATCH. AND BECOME INFAMOUSLY FAMOUS for his screaming. Not everyone has the same personality.
Audiences seem to like McEnroe more because he was an ENTERTAINER, not because he was better than Lendl. The matter of the fact is that Lendl was quiet, reserved and deemed arrogant.
So his fan following was lesser!
errolmiranda 1 year ago
@Schrittwieser Lendl was NOT an Overachiever. In fact McEnroe was an OVERACHIEVER.
His screaming tantrum throwing antics made people put him in the limelight and expect him to win more. In spite that he didnt win more than lendl and that is a fact!
And the next time you wish to say McEnroe is better, come back with match stats etc. Dont go on and on ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND PERSONALITIES!
Lendl was not born in America. He was obviously more conservative.
errolmiranda 1 year ago
Fantastic powerful passin' backhand
Pitonto 3 years ago
That Lendl backhand was awesome!
iamlumin 3 years ago
hahahaha...never heard anybody call j-mac 'overhyped'...if you were anything but a rambling idiot, you could take a quick look at any clip of his playing and quickly determine why people think he's as great as they do.
turdferguson2 4 years ago
I didnt "look down on" nor did I mention Lendl...
mac654 4 years ago
McEnroe has to be the most overhyped player ever. How did he win that many slams, looks like the worst player. Those backhands were just as good as Federer's passing shots.
IricForset 4 years ago
From your comment i know you have to be younger than 30, call me Nostradamus. In 1984 McEnroe finished with a winning percentage of 98 percent...He won 19 TOTAL slams (a record for men)and despite these numbers, is easily the greatest underachiever in the history of tennis....
mac654 4 years ago 3
Very true! However, the matter of the fact is that any professional success would only come with dedication/effort/gift plus a little bit of luck. McEnroe may easily be the greatest underachiever, but that outcome was his own choice. No one can simply look down Lendl's impeccable discipline/tanacity/credentials. His 100% devotion to the tennis profession is itself a gift. Let's ask ourself this question: How many people would do like what Lendl did?
gsw88888 4 years ago 2
This was the '85 US Open final which Lendl won in straight sets
genev766 4 years ago
what match was this? US Open Qtrs in 1987???
lendl was in top flight... mac was coming way down
mephatboi 4 years ago
john mcenroe was terrible. i hate him
roter13 4 years ago
Lendl tremendous power and preciseness. Probably the best baseliner ever.
Pitonto 4 years ago
Sampras rocks over Lendl. Accept it - 14 grand slams to Lendl's 8. Oh and by the way, Lendl had the awe inspiring 8-11 GS Finals record. I will always be a fan of Mats for beating him in the 88 US Open. Lendl was great but he was also a jerk. None of the guys on tour could stand him.
walliegirl2 2 years ago
Well Sampras rocks over everyone including Federer and Nadal, he was simply the best ever, but you still have to put Lendl as one of the greats, his era was so good, yet he still dominated, even on his worst surface he still made 2 Wimbledon finals and beat Becker at queens, he would have won 9 if he didn't skip the French that year, at his best he could beat anyone, his record proves that
Shecaich 2 years ago 3
Sport is not a popularity contest, it's about results. Ted Williams was one of the most unpleasant men ever to play Baseball. That in no way detracts from his greatness as a player. I will always remember how Ivan Lendl was the man who sent Crybaby McEnroe to the showers. He is still the most lethal player ever, hitting down the line. McEnroe relied on his uncanny flair at the net to compensate for often making weak approach shots. Lendl made him pay!
alkh3myst 2 years ago
I agree, his forearm is the best ever 4 sure
Shecaich 2 years ago
Geez there is a serious amount of venom coming from the Llendl groundstrokes.
robinho1979 4 years ago
lendl and mcenroe hated each other
roter13 4 years ago