Michael Joyce rates Rios talent above Agassi and Sampras

[Gonzalito17]

Originally Posted by Razoredge

There's no female equivalent to Rios, maybe the closest would be Mandlikova but she won multiple slams.

There actually is a remale equivalent to Rios. Her name is Ons Jabeur from Tunisia, I saw her play juniors at the US Open, she moves very smoothly, has a showwoman style, hit shots between legs, jumping backhands, she was a top 5 junior a couple of years ago but she has struggled to move up the ranks. Very flashy player to see. She is on facebook too.
Ons Jabeur.

[pc1]

Originally Posted by Gonzalito17

There actually is a remale equivalent to Rios. Her name is Ons Jabeur from Tunisia, I saw her play juniors at the US Open, she moves very smoothly, has a showwoman style, hit shots between legs, jumping backhands, she was a top 5 junior a couple of years ago but she has struggled to move up the ranks. Very flashy player to see. She is on facebook too.
Ons Jabeur.

Never heard of her. You really think she was that good?

Do you guys really think Rios was THAT talented? I mean I know he was gifted but I remember the Australian Open final and the commentators thought the match hinged on how well Korda played. They basically thought Korda was more gifted than Rios. Yes I know about the steroids.

Actually now that I think about it, maybe Rosie Casals is the female equivalent. She was very talented, also small and never won a major. I do think that relatively speaking, Rios was more talented than Casals.

[Gemini]

Originally Posted by pc1

Never heard of her. You really think she was that good?

Do you guys really think Rios was THAT talented? I mean I know he was gifted but I remember the Australian Open final and the commentators thought the match hinged on how well Korda played. They basically thought Korda was more gifted than Rios. Yes I know about the steroids.

Actually now that I think about it, maybe Rosie Casals is the female equivalent. She was very talented, also small and never won a major. I do think that relatively speaking, Rios was more talented than Casals.

I've said in other threads about Rios, but..yeah...I do think he was THAT talented. His issue was commitment and I speak from a view of both of us having been a Bollettieri's at the same time, hitting with him and watching him work out with other players there.

That Australian Open final..I don't think it was a case of Korda possibly juicing that got him the title. It was pretty much a choke job on Rios's part. And Korda was/is a great ball striker from the back of the court but he didn't have the ability to improvise and create like Rios did.

If Korda beats you, it's pretty straight up. Nothing tricky. Rios had that ability to beat you straight up as well but he could also take a point away from you much the way Federer does/did when he plays prime tennis.

Also, Ons Jabeur is only 18 years old and still on tour I believe. If she's that talented, it may be a case of it taking time for her game to gel. Having too many options can often hold a player back if they try to apply every option in their game each match when it's not necessary.

[Gonzalito17]

pc1 Yes I do believe Rios was THAT talented. That match with Korda was a bad performance for Rios but when he was on he was something special. Youtube has a lot of tribute videos of his best highlights. I think his best tennis came vs. Agassi, Miami, Munich in 98 and also the first set vs. Andre in 2002 in Miami SF. There were a lot of great matches and also a lot of bad ones. Safin said in the book Rios had the talent to win 10 majors, Thomas Johansson said Rios "could make you feel like a beginner" even if "you played a good match he could kill you 1 and 1." Even Federer said in the book he was a big fan of Rios who was one of his favorite players.

[Gonzalito17]

Wow Gemini you must be a very very good player to share a court with Rios. Can you share any other details about hitting with Rios, also was he friendly or mute, a lot of players in the book said he wouldn't talk much, even during light hitting practice. Do you think it was more arrogance or shyness/focus? Agree about Jabeur she is young still and maybe a lil overweight, but she has eye catching extraordinary talent

[Laurie]

It's an interesting comment by Joyce. But even though Joyce may have played Agassi and Sampras a few times, he wouldn't have seen them at their best. If Joyce got to a Wimbledon semfinal like Todd Woodbridge in 1997 for instance, he would have seen a different Sampras. I would assume neither player needed to make too much of an effort to beat Joyce or bring out their best shots.

So the comment for Rios' book is designed to make Rios look good for his fans who will buy the book. Not sure how many would take the comment too seriously however.

[dominikk1985]

Nick B. also said Rios was more talented than agassi I think.

If we are just talking "hands" that might be true but tennis ability is more than that.

things like power, endurance and concentration ability are part of tennis performance and talent too.

[Gonzalito17]

Laurie, Joyce did not see Rios at his best either. Rios was at his best at the Australian Open 98 in his matches before the final and Miami in 98, as well as various other matches in 97 98 99.

Also, I don't think the quote by Joyce was designed to sell the book, he simply had a very high regard and respect for the unusual talents of Rios.

[Gonzalito17]

Nick Bollettieri said Rios could "toy with anybody." Agassi included. He said Rios could creates shots nobody else would even think of.

[World Beater]

rios happens to be a big admirer of federer's game.

same with sergi bruguera.

rios was one of the most talented players of his generation.

safin, federer, nalbandian, gaudio all looked up to marcelo.

[Gonzalito17]

WB, actually Federer was the big admirer of Rios. Then after that was established after Fed stated so publicly numerous times, Rios responded by saying very complimentary things about Federer's game. Rios was very reserved in giving credits to other players. You will LOL when you read (if you read the book) what he said about Sampras off the record after their French Open match.

Coria, Dolgopolov, Matosevic, Mannarino are all also Rios admirers too.

[Tshooter]

Gonza, I casually know the author. An affable guy but I don't think he's especially knowledgeable about the game of tennis.

What do you think ?

[Gonzalito17]

Tshooter, the author's name is 'Scoop' Malinowski, according to his bio found from google he's a decent local player, has won 20 something amateur tournaments. Don't know about you but that's a lot more than I ever won!

Peter Bodo and Jon Wertheim are not very accomplished players but they do know tennis to an exceptional degree me thinks.

[Tagg]

people who do not know tennis that well know who agassi is. he is a global star

they may know who sampras is (he's been pretty quiet since he retired, tennis exhibitions aside)

unless they were hardcore 90s fans, they will not know who rios is

this sums it up quite well i think

[Tshooter]

Gonzo, I've met the guy several times and I seem to recall him saying he wasn't much of a player so I'm surprised by all those titles. You have to be a little wary about "facts" reported online if you don't know the source.

I could introduce you if you ever make it out to the events. I see him at some of the top flight tennis tournaments typically berating pros and fans alike to disclose their views concerning Rios. He seems to get sad if you don't know who Rios is but he quickly perks up if you appear at all interested in learning. I always allow him a few Rios stories except I require one or two beers in me at the time.

I think he knows more about Rios as a tennis player than Rios does.

[World Beater]

Originally Posted by Gonzalito17

WB, actually Federer was the big admirer of Rios. Then after that was established after Fed stated so publicly numerous times, Rios responded by saying very complimentary things about Federer's game. Rios was very reserved in giving credits to other players. You will LOL when you read (if you read the book) what he said about Sampras off the record after their French Open match.

Coria, Dolgopolov, Matosevic, Mannarino are all also Rios admirers too.

yes.

But i saw an article where rios gave some hefty praise to federer.

and we all know rios gave praise sparingly...even to the likes of great players like sampras and agassi.

[Gonzalito17]

Tagg, yeah Rios did not seek fame or press, he was not aggresively marketed in the US with Nike ad campaigns. Any fame or recognition that he has today is based soley on his unique appearance, character and court talents, which were all very distinct and memorable.

[Gonzalito17]

Tshooter LOL, yeah the author was so happy with the success and critical acclaim of the Rios book he said in an interview he is already working on a second Rios book to be titled, "Marcelo Rios Saved My Life." There are also plans for a third book with cooperation from Rios himself but the odds of that happening are the same odds of Nicolas Massu or Paul Capdeville winning a major next year.

[Gonzalito17]

Originally Posted by World Beater

yes.

But i saw an article where rios gave some hefty praise to federer.

and we all know rios gave praise sparingly...even to the likes of great players like sampras and agassi.

Very sparingly, you would not believe what he says about the game of Sampras & Agassi off the record, it's not very complimentary at all lol and keep in mind at the time Sampras & Agassi were #1 and #2 in the world at the time.

[big ted]

bollieteri said the same about rios but he also said that rios was a VERY hard worker so its a little mysterious why he wasnt more successful. if he were 2-3 inches taller maybe he would have won multiple slams. 5'9 can be a disadvantage no matter who you are