Greatest Canadian player ever

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Bedard once reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the Italian.

He never was a fulltime player, but split his time as a college teacher.

A noble and munificient profession.

[dominikk1985]

sebastien lareau also was a good player.

in singles his highest ranking was 76 but in doubles he was ranked 4th and won wimbledon

[Francis27]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

I expect that this will be a short list.

Here are the most legitimate candidates for greatest ever Canadian player.
This is not an exhaustive list.

1) Lorne Main
Current World #1 over 80
World #1 over 70 in 2000
Champion Monte Carlo clay 1954
Davis Cup 14 wins 14 defeats in singles

2) Bob Bedard
Last Canadian to win the Canadian championship 1955, 1957, 1958 defeating in the finals Ramanathan Krishnan (World #3) and Whitney Reed (U.S.A. #1)
Davis Cup greatest success in 1961, defeating both Llamas and Osuna (World #1) in singles
Defeated Emerson (World #1) at Queens Club 1958
Won a set off Hoad at Wimbledon 1954, lost 3 matches to Hoad in Slam events (Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Forest Hills) lost to both Hoad and Rosewall in 1955 Davis Cup

3) Mike Belkin
Rated #7 in world in early 1960's
Davis Cup record 14 wins 7 defeats in singles

4) Daniel Nestor
Defeated world #1 Edberg in five sets in 1992 Davis Cup singles
Won numberless doubles titles, all four slam events and world titles

5) Greg Rusedski
U.S. Open runnerup 1997
Ranked #4 in world
Dual citizen, played Davis Cup for Britain

6) Milos Raonic
Current world #14
Defeated Murray at Japan Open 2012 (career record 2 wins 1 defeat against Murray)

7) Filip Peliwo
Current 2012 Wimbledon and U.S. Open Junior Champion
World Junior #1 2012

Canada has not been a hotbed of tennis until recently, but the above is an honourable list.
I would rate Bob Bedard as all-time number 1, but this could change if Raonic or Peliwo continue to develop.

Milos Raonic and Filip Peliwo is the new era of Canadian Tennis!!

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Bedard once reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the Italian.
He never was a fulltime player, but split his time as a college teacher. In 1955, he played 40 weeks, his most active year. He concentrated on the Canadian "Open" (actually, the Canadian International Championships) where he beat some top players in defending his title in 1955, 1957, 1958 (including Krishnan and Whitney Reed, both #1 players for their countries.)
Currently Bedard is an active senior player at age 81, with a career senior record of 42 wins and 4 defeats, and 8 wins and 0 defeats in 2012.

I remember watching Bedard play the Davis Cup tie against Mexico in 1961 at Montreal on television (I was ten years old, and this was my first exposure to exciting tennis).
Bedard was now a part-time player, 30 years old, and out of condition. In the opening match, he suffered cramps , and crumpled to the court, taking a few minutes to walk off the cramps, and defeated Llamas in three close sets.
In the reverse singles, he lost the first set to Osuna, and then took three straight sets. Osuna was near the top of the rankings in the amateur game.
Bedard did not play Davis Cup again until 1967, the Canadian Centennial, when he came out of retirement to lead Canada against Britain.
In the opening match, Mike Belkin gave Canada the lead by beating Sangster in a great four-set match.
Bedard followed up, and the 36 year old veteran pushed Roger Taylor to 7-5 in the fifth set before losing.
The doubles went to Britain at 12-10 in the fifth set, and Taylor won another five-setter against Belkin in the reverse singles.
Close, but no prize.
Now, at 81, Bedard is enjoying an undefeated season at 8 wins, 0 defeats.

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

I remember watching Bedard play the Davis Cup tie against Mexico in 1961 at Montreal on television (I was ten years old, and this was my first exposure to exciting tennis).
Bedard was now a part-time player, 30 years old, and out of condition. In the opening match, he suffered cramps , and crumpled to the court, taking a few minutes to walk off the cramps, and defeated Llamas in three close sets.
In the reverse singles, he lost the first set to Osuna, and then took three straight sets. Osuna was near the top of the rankings in the amateur game.
Bedard did not play Davis Cup again until 1967, the Canadian Centennial, when he came out of retirement to lead Canada against Britain.
In the opening match, Mike Belkin gave Canada the lead by beating Sangster in a great four-set match.
Bedard followed up, and the 36 year old veteran pushed Roger Taylor to 7-5 in the fifth set before losing.
The doubles went to Britain at 12-10 in the fifth set, and Taylor won another five-setter against Belkin in the reverse singles.
Close, but no prize.
Now, at 81, Bedard is enjoying an undefeated season at 8 wins, 0 defeats.

I should mention that Bedard has the distinction of winning a set off both Hoad and Rosewall.
He took a set off Hoad at Wimbledon in 1954, and a set off Rosewall in the 1955 Davis Cup. Not bad for someone still learning the game.

[kiki]

Rusedski is the only one to be a top player and reach a major final, the only one deserving to be mentioned in singles, because afa had a few only doubles players such as Nestor or Wostenholme.Sorry Canada but tennis is not for you

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by kiki

Rusedski is the only one to be a top player and reach a major final, the only one deserving to be mentioned in singles, because afa had a few only doubles players such as Nestor or Wostenholme.Sorry Canada but tennis is not for you

Kiki, are you joking?
Raonic is 2 wins and 1 defeat against Murray.
Peliwo holds both the Wimbledon and U.S. Open junior titles for this year, and is number one in the world for juniors.
The future looks bright.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Kiki, are you joking?
Raonic is 2 wins and 1 defeat against Murray.
Peliwo holds both the Wimbledon and U.S. Open junior titles for this year, and is number one in the world for juniors.
The future looks bright.

Raonic is far from Glen´s achievements, very very far.He is a good player and that is it for the moment.He has got potential to be a true star but he is very unmature although I believe he is improving.In a way he´s a bit like Safin, but Safin could reach an all time high I don´t think Raonic can reach at this stage.

Didn´t know about that junior.It would be nice if canada finally develops a true champion, and eventually beat the US in a DC rubber, all the way.

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by kiki

Raonic is far from Glen´s achievements, very very far.He is a good player and that is it for the moment.He has got potential to be a true star but he is very unmature although I believe he is improving.In a way he´s a bit like Safin, but Safin could reach an all time high I don´t think Raonic can reach at this stage.

Didn´t know about that junior.It would be nice if canada finally develops a true champion, and eventually beat the US in a DC rubber, all the way.

Canada's number one, Bob Bedard, beat America's number one, Whitney Reed in the 1958 Canadian final.
By the way, the Canadian was a significant tournament, and included many famous names among its champions. Bedard won in 1955, 1957 (beating Krishnan in the final), and 1958 (beating Whitney Reed, U.S. #1, in the final).
Champions of this event in men's singles read like a who's-who of all-time tennis greats, including Parker, Emerson, Santana, Laver, Krishnan, Whitney Reed, Cliff Richey, Newcombe, Okker, Orantes, Nastase, Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Gerulaitas, Becker, Michael Chang, Rafter, Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, Agassi, Safin, Lendl. Beals Wright, William Larned, Jimmy Evert (Chris' father).
The greatest final: 1964, Emerson lost the first two sets to Stolle, but won at 6-4 in the fifth set.
Rosewall teamed with Laver to win the doubles in 1973 (beating Newcombe and Davidson).
Bedard's name stands proudly among them.

[kiki]

Never heard of Berdard or Reed
I know the CO is one of the best events after majors and ranks up there along Rome,Hamburg,Barcelona,Montecarlo,Philadelphia,Bos ton,Indy,Cincinnati,Johamnesburg,Wembley and Stockholm in historical terms

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by kiki

Never heard of Berdard or Reed
I know the CO is one of the best events after majors and ranks up there along Rome,Hamburg,Barcelona,Montecarlo,Philadelphia,Bos ton,Indy,Cincinnati,Johamnesburg,Wembley and Stockholm in historical terms

Reed was rated #1 in the good old U.S.A. Quite an honour.

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Canada's number one, Bob Bedard, beat America's number one, Whitney Reed in the 1958 Canadian final.
By the way, the Canadian was a significant tournament, and included many famous names among its champions. Bedard won in 1955, 1957 (beating Krishnan in the final), and 1958 (beating Whitney Reed, U.S. #1, in the final).
Champions of this event in men's singles read like a who's-who of all-time tennis greats, including Parker, Emerson, Santana, Laver, Krishnan, Whitney Reed, Cliff Richey, Newcombe, Okker, Orantes, Nastase, Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Gerulaitas, Becker, Michael Chang, Rafter, Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, Agassi, Safin, Lendl. Beals Wright, William Larned, Jimmy Evert (Chris' father).
The greatest final: 1964, Emerson lost the first two sets to Stolle, but won at 6-4 in the fifth set.
Rosewall teamed with Laver to win the doubles in 1973 (beating Newcombe and Davidson).
Bedard's name stands proudly among them.

I should add Mervyn Rose, Dick Savitt, Ron Holmberg and others to the above list of Canadian champions.
A very strong list of champions, superior to some of the major championships.

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Canada's number one, Bob Bedard, beat America's number one, Whitney Reed in the 1958 Canadian final.
By the way, the Canadian was a significant tournament, and included many famous names among its champions. Bedard won in 1955, 1957 (beating Krishnan in the final), and 1958 (beating Whitney Reed, U.S. #1, in the final).
Champions of this event in men's singles read like a who's-who of all-time tennis greats, including Parker, Emerson, Santana, Laver, Krishnan, Whitney Reed, Cliff Richey, Newcombe, Okker, Orantes, Nastase, Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Gerulaitas, Becker, Michael Chang, Rafter, Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, Agassi, Safin, Lendl. Beals Wright, William Larned, Jimmy Evert (Chris' father).
The greatest final: 1964, Emerson lost the first two sets to Stolle, but won at 6-4 in the fifth set.
Rosewall teamed with Laver to win the doubles in 1973 (beating Newcombe and Davidson).
Bedard's name stands proudly among them.

Another great final was in 1971, when Newcombe defeated Okker on clay in the final, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6. This was a magnificently played final, with Newcombe showing his best ground strokes on the clay surface against a fired-up Okker.

[kiki]

WCT hosted a lot of events in Canada, even in not so major cities such as Quebec City,Ottawa,Winnipeg and Vancouver.In the 70´s, canadian fans would get a big deal of the best tennis indoors...

[chrischris]

Glen Michibata and Daniel Nestor

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by kiki

WCT hosted a lot of events in Canada, even in not so major cities such as Quebec City,Ottawa,Winnipeg and Vancouver.In the 70´s, canadian fans would get a big deal of the best tennis indoors...

The first big event was the O'Keefe Invitational International Championships held in 1956 in Toronto, with a strong list of well-known players, plus the top eight Canadians, none of whom won a match (the reigning Canadian champion, Bedard, lost to Hugh Stewart). Hoad defeated Davidson in the final in a four-set match.
This inaugural event proved to be the template for all future Canadian Opens, and beginning in 1957, important players were "persuaded" to participate.
This makes Bedards' wins in 1957 and 1958 all the more impressive, as he had to beat Krishnan and Reed to win the title.

[treblings]

i heard that Bob Brett was working with Tennis Canada for a number of years. is he considered to have played a substantial role in the positive development of canadian tennis in the last few years?

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by treblings

i heard that Bob Brett was working with Tennis Canada for a number of years. is he considered to have played a substantial role in the positive development of canadian tennis in the last few years?

Yes, he spends about 120 days per year with the junior programs in Canada, especially under-14, since about 2007.
He would have helped develop both Raonic and Peliwo and Bouchard, the last two this year's junior Wimbledon champions, and Peliwo also won the U.S. Open Junior championship.
It looks like he has contributed a lot.

[treblings]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Yes, he spends about 120 days per year with the junior programs in Canada, especially under-14, since about 2007.
He would have helped develop both Raonic and Peliwo and Bouchard, the last two this year's junior Wimbledon champions, and Peliwo also won the U.S. Open Junior championship.
It looks like he has contributed a lot.

he is one coach i´d like to have in my program. serious, no nonsense with loads of experience at the highest level

[kiki]

when you give independence to Quebec?

true democracy is like that...