Mc vs fed

[obackvalobasha]

In mcenroe's prime Do you think he would beat federer at the stage federer is right now? I asked Mcenrole the same question when i was at the cnbc Ill tell you what he said after this messenger

[Tim Tiger Henman]

No way - not in a million years. Consider this, in 1985 Mac couldn't keep up with the new power game. This was 1985! The game has moved on leaps and bounds since then.

Mac is one of the greatest players in history. But no way could he match the later guys for power.

[intense2b]

Its not a fair question. The times were different. Mcenroe never worked out. He claimed he was on the "Hagen Dasz diet"!! He grew up learning to play with a wood racquet and then had to learn how to play with graphite . Furthermore the rest tour back then played a completely different style than what is played today. Firstly , most people played with a tiny little wood racquet. Lendl started the modern game, and basically he was only around during part of Mcenroes prime. Once Graphite and Lendl came into existence (Lendl used graphite against most players with wood for a while!) the entire game chnaged and so did Mcenroe's ranking. The better question would be...if Mcenroe learned how to play tennis at the same time Fed did then who win? Or if Fed had to play with an old tiny wood racquet then who would win? But Your question however, is far easier to answer....Federer would have destroyed Mcenroe and probably anyone else during that time period. I mean think about it....Borg was the #1 player in the world. His style of play with looping topspin would be gobbled up by todays players....yet he sure gave Mcenroe and everyone else a pretty tough time.

[JohnThomas1]

Federer would be too strong i think. Mac would sure provide an entertaining match tho. Maybe on grass Mac could make it interesting. Not sure.

[Max G.]

Umm... how's this for an answer:

If they play with WOOD racquets, Mac wins in straights.

If they play with MODERN racquets, Fed wins in straights.

[obackvalobasha]

Okey mc said the same thing basicly what you guys said. he didnt go in to too much about wooden raquat and other raquat like you guys have.But Roger will kill him. But he would have taken a game or two away from Roger in the Us open Unlike hewitt. it seemed like he was very dispointed with hewitt's performence.

[Radical Shot]

Who wasn't disapointed with Hewitt's performance!?
________
iolite vaporizer

[Type40]

McEnroe definitely would, not could have beaten federer.

[guernica1]

One of the problems is that continental forehand of Mac's is going to be attacked over and over by high topspinning shots. Even if Mac gets those back it is very tiring on your forearm at those heights with the old "Crab Claw" grip.

[Captain Haddock]

I guess I'll have to write in defense of old school players. First, Mac was virtually unbeatable in 84. He had a year like Federer's 2005. Although the game has obviously evolved, I believe Mac of that era could hang with Federer. His continental grip is not tailored to the modern game, but he picked up the ball so soon after the bounce and moved so fast that I don't see his technique being a problem. On grass, Mac's volleys were so good that I'd give him a chance... OK, that's pure denial, I know. But someone has to make it clear that Mac was THE most talented player ever until Fed.

[tetsuo10]

I think Mac would make the necessary adjustments to play in today's game. Remember when Mac took time off from the game and came back, that's when the game started to become a real power game with Lendl and Becker leading the way. Although he never won a major after making his comeback, he absolutely was able to hang with those guys.

[AndyC]

hanging is one thing.. winning is another.

the question is whether Mac could remaing competitive enough from the back of the court given that a pure S&V game with the power in tennis these days seems unplayable. Pete may have S&V'd a lot but he certainly could keep up for long enough with anyone on the ground (barring the 30+ stroke rallies at the FO).

I think Mac would be competitive but I certainly don't think he would be able to dominate with his finesse and touch. I'd still have Fed the number 1 by a long way.

[intense2b]

Originally Posted by guernica1

One of the problems is that continental forehand of Mac's is going to be attacked over and over by high topspinning shots. Even if Mac gets those back it is very tiring on your forearm at those heights with the old "Crab Claw" grip.

Mcenroe did pretty well against high spinning topspin shots. He gave Borg a pretty tough time. I don't think anyone in history has ever hit better high topspinning shots than Borg. Its the modern topspin shot that would give him trouble. The type of booming topspin that Lendl invented and Agassi perfected.