Billy Jean King

galain · 11-29-2012, 09:57 PM

I think the only match I remember her playing was when she lost to Jaeger at... Wimby (?), but I just found this clip and even if she was past her playing days, she still had some really nice touch at net. Some nice doubles play all around.

And really - how Shriver made it to the top of the game with those strokes of hers - I don't know whether to be full of admiration of horrified!

http://youtu.be/NYKRvU8SGqs

suwanee4712 · 11-30-2012, 05:45 AM

Truth be told, you would be horrified by BJK's forehand. It's not entirely different from Shriver's though she found it easier to impart topspin than Pam did.

The other big similarity between BJK and Shriver would be their smarts. Both (more so BJK) could beat players with superior physical strokes by exploiting their weaknesses while protecting their own.

The huge differences between the two were BJK's movement, speed, and that X quality that upper tier players like her have over everyone else that makes them a champion.

BJK's record and grand slam singles titles allows us to overlook her weaknesses and praise her as we surely should. Pam's lack of a singles slam is what makes those not really familiar with her formiddable strengths to focus on her shortcomings instead of her exceptional record.

In short, if you've ever been on the business end of Shriver's huge serve and volley game or her penetrating sliced forehand or her clever setups (like volleying an opponent's approach shot), it's harder to appreciate Pam's game. It doesn't always pass the eye test but Pam's game was very effective. Just ask Steffi Graf about that. As late as 1992 Pam was still giving her some trouble. And I still believe she could've won a slam in an easier era.

BJK was incredible. No one ever fought harder than she did on and off the court. If I had to pick a player to play a match for my life it would be BJK or Connors. No one else would do under those circumstances.

kiki · 11-30-2012, 09:53 AM

Shriver had enough with her length and a booming serve girls were not used to face and manage but she had nothing else
She is an overachiever but still one of the top ranked players for a decade

11-29-2012, 09:57 PM	#1
galain Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,825	Billy Jean King I think the only match I remember her playing was when she lost to Jaeger at... Wimby (?), but I just found this clip and even if she was past her playing days, she still had some really nice touch at net. Some nice doubles play all around. And really - how Shriver made it to the top of the game with those strokes of hers - I don't know whether to be full of admiration of horrified! http://youtu.be/NYKRvU8SGqs __________________ "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

11-30-2012, 09:53 AM	#3
kiki G.O.A.T. Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 10,539	Shriver had enough with her length and a booming serve girls were not used to face and manage but she had nothing else She is an overachiever but still one of the top ranked players for a decade __________________ " I have watched plenty of matches of the 70´s and 80´s" ABMK, the historian

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