It's generally agreed that Borg was the real No. 1 in 1977

[kiki]

Originally Posted by Gizo

I do think that 1977 is one of those years in which the player that had the best achievements and the player had produced the highest standard of tennis were different.

To me there's no doubt that Vilas had the best record, and so he was the player of the year and the real no. 1. However I think Borg produced the highest standard of tennis that year during his period of winning big titles on carpet, grass and clay. Borg's best tennis in 1977 was better than Vilas's best tennis in 1977.

Similarly in 1999, Agassi clearly had the best achievements and thus was the deserved year end no. 1 and player of the year. However the level of tennis that Sampras produced during his 24 match winning run over the summer when he straight setted Agassi 3 times, and during the YEC, was beyond anything that Agassi produced that year. Sampras's best tennis in 1999 was better than Agassi's best tennis in 1999.

1989 was a funny year because I do think that Becker had the best achievements and produced the best standard of tennis. He out-performed Lendl at 4 out of the 5 biggest tournaments (Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open and the Masters) and was the player of the year. However Lendl actually had a pretty healthy lead over Becker in the year end rankings. In fact some posters on this forum have shown that even under the ranking systems used in the 90s and 00s, Lendl would still have had a pretty clear lead over Becker points-wise, due to his excellent day-in day-out consistency that year.

Becker dominance in 89 far surpasses Vilas one in 77 since both won 2 biggies but Becker thumped Lendl twice there and Lendl was ATP 1

[NadalAgassi]

Originally Posted by jean pierre

On your own island ?? There was a poll on this forum, and 76% said that Vilas is n°1. And theres is no doubt about that.

Yes TW tennis polls are a real reflection of reality and how the real World thinks. According to Planet TW Federer is the 3rd best clay courter of all time behind only Nadal and Borg after all, LOL!

[5555]

Originally Posted by jean pierre

I think Bud collins thought that Boud Collins was "the most other authorities" ! Because most authorities (Livre d'or du Tennis, Tennis de France, Eugene L. Scoot, Christian Quidet, Patrice Dominguez, Fracis Haedens, World tennis ...) declared Vilas n°1. "Experts were agree to consider Vilas as the real n°1 in 1977" (Chron'open, specialized web site). "ATP was contradicted by experts ; placed n°1 by specialized newspapers..." (Sportvox, web site).

1. Can you prove that Chron'open and Sportvox are reputable sources?
2. Can you give links to the original text?

Originally Posted by Mustard

Do you have a mind of your own at all?

Yes, I do.

[Mustard]

Despite how good Borg's record was in 1977, Vilas won more majors, more overall tournaments, had ridiculous win streaks and more sheer activity.

[5555]

Originally Posted by Mustard

Despite how good Borg's record was in 1977, Vilas won more majors, more overall tournaments, had ridiculous win streaks and more sheer activity.

"But even though World Tennis magazine declared Vilas No. 1 for the year, most other authorities disagreed and bestowed that mythical honor on Borg.”

source: The Bud Collins History of Tennis An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book

[jean pierre]

Originally Posted by 5555

"But even though World Tennis magazine declared Vilas No. 1 for the year, most other authorities disagreed and bestowed that mythical honor on Borg.”

source: The Bud Collins History of Tennis An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book

But even though Bud Collins declared Borg N°1 for the year, most other authorities disagreed and bestowed that mythical honor on Vilas.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by NadalAgassi

Yes TW tennis polls are a real reflection of reality and how the real World thinks. According to Planet TW Federer is the 3rd best clay courter of all time behind only Nadal and Borg after all, LOL!

This is true. Even if the poll results are something with which I agree, I would be very skeptical.

[krosero]

Originally Posted by kiki

As for Borg not being lucky, that is so true.He had been too lucky on too many times to believe in fairy tales.He was a cloutch winner, and that was his pattented trademark.But, the only time I felt he could have really lost a five setter, it was against Connors at that W final.I never had that feeling against Orantes in the 74 FO final, Lendl at the 1981,Tanner at the 1979 W final...and, after the match had reached a fifth set, I even thought he had the edge against Mac at the terrific 1980 Wimbledon final.

On the eother hand, I also think he never had the edge agaisnt Mac at the 1980 USO final, which was very clsoe at the score...call it feelings.

It's true, he never did seem in control of the 80USO final. Odd thing, though, was that he should have been, in a way. He served twice for that first set. If he held either of those times the match would have unfolded very differently. But even with two chances he couldn't close out the set (got broken at love the second time), which kind of does show that he wasn't in control. Even with a technical lead he couldn't consolidate.

[5555]

Originally Posted by jean pierre

But even though Bud Collins declared Borg N°1 for the year, most other authorities disagreed and bestowed that mythical honor on Vilas.

1. Can you prove that Chron'open and Sportvox are reputable sources?
2. Can you give links to the original text?

[jean pierre]

Originally Posted by 5555

1. Can you prove that Chron'open and Sportvox are reputable sources?
2. Can you give links to the original text?

1. I don't know what is a reputable source. I only know that except Bud Collins and Tennis Magazine, the big majority of experts consider that Vilas was N°1. It was written by Patrice Dominguez and Christian Quidet, but I don't have their books at home. It was written by Eugene L. Scott (is he a reputable source ?) in "Tennis Experience" : "considered as the best player of the world in 1977, Vilas ...".

2.
http://plazbovo.free.fr/CHRONOPEN-vilas.html

http://www.sportvox.fr/article.php3?id_article=28700

Thanks.

[kiki]

...while all of you are fixed upon Borg and Vilas, nobody gives credit to miss Wade for her great Wimbledon win, it took Murray, 35 yrs later to see a brit win another GS title...

[5555]

Originally Posted by jean pierre

I don't know what is a reputable source.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5793882_reputable-websites.html

I only know that except Bud Collins and Tennis Magazine, the big majority of experts consider that Vilas was N°1.

"But even though World Tennis magazine declared Vilas No. 1 for the year, most other authorities disagreed and bestowed that mythical honor on Borg.”
source: The Bud Collins History of Tennis An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book

It was written by Patrice Dominguez and Christian Quidet, but I don't have their books at home. It was written by Eugene L. Scott (is he a reputable source ?) in "Tennis Experience" : "considered as the best player of the world in 1977, Vilas ...".

Bud Collins is a tennis historian unlike your sources. In other words: he is an authority on this subject unliike your sources.