Greatest Ballstriker of all time?

President of Serve/Volley · 10-17-2009, 08:09 AM

I would vote for Andre Agassi.

ayuname · 10-17-2009, 08:24 AM

Well, it is Andre Agassi.

pc1 · 10-17-2009, 08:35 AM

Agassi's great but I would add Rosewall and Connors to the list.

scootad. · 10-17-2009, 08:42 AM

Federer

For today's game I'd put Del Potro up there.

hoodjem · 10-17-2009, 09:07 AM

Please define your terms: "greatest ballstriker"

hardest?
strongest?
produces the most pace?
cleanest?
most spin?
flattest?
most touch?
best placement?
most variety?

jaggy · 10-17-2009, 09:11 AM

Jimmy Arias deserves a mention, Seles maybe on the womens side

boredone3456 · 10-17-2009, 09:24 AM

I'll give a few suggestions even though the term Ball Striker can mean a lot of thing as hoodjem pointed out.

Men:
Agassi
Connors
Mac (if we are talking striking ability at the net)
Nadal (Spin)
Fed

Women:
Davenport (Clean and hard)
The Williams (Power)
Pierce
Evert
Graf

0d1n · 10-17-2009, 11:00 AM

Petr Korda

flying24 · 10-17-2009, 11:10 AM

Men (in no particular order):

Federer
Connors
McEnroe
Borg
Laver
Safin

Wome (again in no particular order):

Davenport
Serena
Venus
Henin
Pierce
Seles

scootad. · 10-17-2009, 11:26 AM

Korda and Rios should be considered too.

hoodjem · 10-17-2009, 11:34 AM

Petr Korda:
"I faced some of the greatest players of the game across the net. When I began on tour and made my breakthrough there were men such as Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. Then there was Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, while towards the end Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi took over at the top.

The best player I ever hit tennis balls with was Rod Laver, who was warming up for a senior tournament in Palm Springs."

President of Serve/Volley · 10-17-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoodjem

Please define your terms: "greatest ballstriker"

hardest?
strongest?
produces the most pace?
cleanest?
most spin?
flattest?
most touch?
best placement?
most variety?

Cleanest of the strike.

Keifers · 10-17-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by President of Serve/Volley

Cleanest of the strike.

In the last 30 years.. Lindsay Davenport. Cleanest I've ever seen. Her swing is smooth (not exaggerated or violent), her timing is perfect, and the ball just flies off her racquet. I think her timing is the key.

Datacipher · 10-17-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by President of Serve/Volley

Cleanest of the strike.

Oh, well in that case, it's Connors, NOT Agassi.

Many of the other suggestions here, are good as well, though Federer wouldn't even be in the top 500 of all-time if we are only talking about cleanest ball-striking.

joe sch · 10-17-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoodjem

Petr Korda:
"I faced some of the greatest players of the game across the net. When I began on tour and made my breakthrough there were men such as Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. Then there was Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, while towards the end Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi took over at the top.

The best player I ever hit tennis balls with was Rod Laver, who was warming up for a senior tournament in Palm Springs."

From a top player who played against all the greats mentioned, this nomination gets much respect. Im pretty sure that McEnroe, Sampras, and probably Agassi would nominate Federer. For a wood racket, I would go with Laver. For a graphite racket, I would go with Federer.

Datacipher · 10-17-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe sch

From a top player who played against all the greats mentioned, this nomination gets much respect. Im pretty sure that McEnroe, Sampras, and probably Agassi would nominate Federer. For a wood racket, I would go with Laver. For a graphite racket, I would go with Federer.

Come on Joe! They are talking about "CLEANEST" strike. Federer isn't remotely in the picture. He has shanked more balls in a single tournament than Connors did in 30 years!

boredone3456 · 10-17-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Datacipher

Come on Joe! They are talking about "CLEANEST" strike. Federer isn't remotely in the picture. He has shanked more balls in a single tournament than Connors did in 30 years!

In terms on cleanliness of the strike of the ball for the men it definitely becomes Connors...the others I listed could be talked about depending on what dimension of striking you want to discuss.

For the Women in terms of cleanliness of strike...it would for me be close between Davenport, Graf and Evert. The others I listed, while powerful...shanked a ton of balls on any given day...to many to contend for this particular category.

pc1 · 10-17-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boredone3456

In terms on cleanliness of the strike of the ball for the men it definitely becomes Connors...the others I listed could be talked about depending on what dimension of striking you want to discuss.

For the Women in terms of cleanliness of strike...it would for me be close between Davenport, Graf and Evert. The others I listed, while powerful...shanked a ton of balls on any given day...to many to contend for this particular category.

I'm not sure if it's definitely Connors but clearly Connors is one of the best choices. Federer is really not in the running for the cleanest ball striker. Federer's a great player but he does shanks a lot of balls, especially off the backhand.

I think another clean ball striker for the women would be Jennifer Capriati.

davey · 10-17-2009, 03:45 PM

I vote for Steven Seagal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQKAydHA4J4

eagle · 10-17-2009, 03:46 PM

Men: Agassi

Women: Davenport

r,
eagle

10-17-2009, 08:09 AM	#1
President of Serve/Volley Semi-Pro Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 590	Greatest Ballstriker of all time? I would vote for Andre Agassi.

10-17-2009, 09:07 AM	#5
hoodjem Legend Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bierlandt Posts: 9,971	Please define your terms: "greatest ballstriker" hardest? strongest? produces the most pace? cleanest? most spin? flattest? most touch? best placement? most variety? __________________ The smart man thinks he knows a lot; the wise man is aware that he knows little.

10-17-2009, 11:34 AM	#11
hoodjem Legend Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bierlandt Posts: 9,971	Petr Korda: "I faced some of the greatest players of the game across the net. When I began on tour and made my breakthrough there were men such as Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. Then there was Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, while towards the end Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi took over at the top. The best player I ever hit tennis balls with was Rod Laver, who was warming up for a senior tournament in Palm Springs." __________________ The smart man thinks he knows a lot; the wise man is aware that he knows little. Last edited by hoodjem : 10-17-2009 at 11:44 AM.

10-17-2009, 03:45 PM	#19
davey Rookie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 354	I vote for Steven Seagal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQKAydHA4J4 __________________ This message will self destruct 10 seconds after you read it

10-17-2009, 03:46 PM	#20
eagle Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kona, Hawaii Posts: 1,560	Men: Agassi Women: Davenport r, eagle __________________ Alternatives to COME ON: Don't TAZE me Bro! ... DYNOMITE! ... I'm gonna shove this ball down your throat!