Paul Murphy
Hall of Fame
I posted a similar thread elsewhere about current players.
Now let's look at past players only.
1) Lendl: I loved the power he brought to the game, his forehand and his domination on US hardcourts and the aura he brought to the game.
I thought his running line backhand was a thing of beauty.
Loved his rivalry with McEnroe.
Made tennis in the 1980s the most exciting era for me.
Also admired the way he came back from a succession of defeats in majors to win eight of them and "own" most of the 1980s through his weeks at No.1.
2) McEnroe: The master of touch, the lefty serve was a delight.
His behaviour was appalling at times but he brought undeniable excitement to the game.
I loved the S/V versus baseliner confrontation with Lendl and Connors - the contrast in styles is what I miss so much about tennis now.
3) Couldn't stand the guy but loved his return game. It was fascinating watching him pick apart big servers.
Overdid the theatrics and aggression but played a major part in making tennis what it was the 1980s.
Basically any major which featured those three in the semis was always going to be worth watching.
Opinions?
Now let's look at past players only.
1) Lendl: I loved the power he brought to the game, his forehand and his domination on US hardcourts and the aura he brought to the game.
I thought his running line backhand was a thing of beauty.
Loved his rivalry with McEnroe.
Made tennis in the 1980s the most exciting era for me.
Also admired the way he came back from a succession of defeats in majors to win eight of them and "own" most of the 1980s through his weeks at No.1.
2) McEnroe: The master of touch, the lefty serve was a delight.
His behaviour was appalling at times but he brought undeniable excitement to the game.
I loved the S/V versus baseliner confrontation with Lendl and Connors - the contrast in styles is what I miss so much about tennis now.
3) Couldn't stand the guy but loved his return game. It was fascinating watching him pick apart big servers.
Overdid the theatrics and aggression but played a major part in making tennis what it was the 1980s.
Basically any major which featured those three in the semis was always going to be worth watching.
Opinions?