Greatest Ballstriker of all time? - Page 2

Datacipher · 10-17-2009, 03:47 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.
.

yes, there are certainly other shotmaking dimensions in which those others would also score highly. I actually think some of the talented flakes like Rios and Leconte score high in some dimensions. But in terms of hitting the sweetspot the most cleanly, the most consistently, can't think of anyone to match Connors. His dilligente footwork, combined with great eyes, and very simple, clean strokes, made for the perfect storm in that particular way. Even for a pro, Connors stood out as a guy, who's priority was not to do big things with the ball, but first and foremost, just to make sweet contact.

jimbo333 · 10-17-2009, 03:55 PM

^^^^^ And don't forget Connors was using that tiny headed T2000 racquet!

Maybe that helped focus the mind

jrepac · 10-17-2009, 08:04 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.

This feels right to me: Connors, then Agassi and I'd put Bjorn 3rd

for women, Lindsay, Chris, Steffi and someone else said Capriati, who is also worthy of mentino...

srinrajesh · 10-18-2009, 12:05 AM

Laver, Connors, Borg

adista4 · 10-18-2009, 12:29 AM

Andre Agassi

35ft6 · 10-18-2009, 02:45 AM

I will probably go with Agassi. Guga, Pioline, and Kafelnikov deserve to be mentioned as well. And as mentioned in the other thread, Nalbandian, Davydenko, and Murray.

Federer is way up there, too. Yeah, he shanks a lot, that's what happens when you have that kind of racket head speed. I watched him practice when he was about 18 and you could immediately tell he had a special way with the racket.

Brettolius · 10-18-2009, 06:40 AM

Safin also hits a really clean ball. All time I have to go with Agassi. Crispy!!!

darthpwner · 10-18-2009, 07:39 AM

Agassi and Connors are the 2 greatest ballstrikers of all time. The best returners are virtually all the best ballstrikers because they can make good contact on a fast serve. BTW, has any one coined the term "dirty hitters?" Dirty hitters would be spin meisters like Nadal.

boredone3456 · 10-18-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrepac

This feels right to me: Connors, then Agassi and I'd put Bjorn 3rd

for women, Lindsay, Chris, Steffi and someone else said Capriati, who is also worthy of mentino...

That sounds pretty fair, Capriati, even at a young age, hit a very clean ball. I wouldn't rate her any higher than 4th though, Lindsay, Chris and Steffi all were better than her.

In term of the men..Agassi and Borg are pretty close in this department, and could be swapped, I might even be inclined to put Agassi 3rd behind Borg if we are only judging on cleanness of strike.

0d1n · 10-19-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0d1n

Petr Korda

Wasn't aware we were talking about women as well, but from the WTA I would also go with Davenport as many others already did.
Considering her limited movement and where she got in the game of tennis, her ball striking ability and superb technique cannot be overstated really.

scootad. · 10-19-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0d1n

Wasn't aware we were talking about women as well, but from the WTA I would also go with Davenport as many others already did.
Considering her limited movement and where she got in the game of tennis, her ball striking ability and superb technique cannot be overstated really.

Thats for damn sure.

I remember the first couple times I saw her play. The first time was '93 US Open 3rd round match vs. Sabatini. But it was really the second time I saw her play on ESPN vs. Graf at the AO '94 4th round. She lost something like 6-2 6-2 to Steffi but I distinctly remember watching and thinking wow she is taking what looks like a very easy swing and the sheer power coming off her racket was jaw dropping. At that time she was way out of shape in her dumptruck phase so of course she couldn't get to many of Graf's shots especially in the long rallies but I remember when she did boy she stood toe to toe with Graf. I recall thinking the only player I had previously seen do that was Seles (who was in hiatus from stabbing at that time).

ace0001a · 10-19-2009, 04:20 AM

From my 21+ years of watching tennis, my vote goes to Andre Agassi. His stroke mechanics are not only clean, but in my opinion a pure work of tennis artistry. Connors is also great for his era when the game was slower and the balls came at him alot flatter. To me, todays game was very much started by the likes of Agassi, Sampras, Courier, Chang and the bunch where power and spin really came into prominence...and the fact that Agassi is the cleanest striker in that bunch gets him my vote. I also remember his many great battles against Boris Becker, who was a guy who played with alot of power and spin. As for the women, while I did and do watch them, I can honestly say I really stopped paying attention to their stroke mechanics a long time ago. I suppose Lindsey Davenport did appear to have some really clean strokes (according to memory)...but these days, most women look like shankers to some degree from what I see (no offense).

downdaline · 10-19-2009, 07:29 PM

^^^

Yo Federer, im really happy for you and your slams, and i'll let you finish, but Agassi was one of the best ball strikers of all time. Of all time!

pc1 · 10-20-2009, 07:40 PM

Miloslav Mecir. Just thought I'd throw his name in. He may not have been the greatest ballstriker but he's pretty good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZX9OloLbiY&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlb5P...eature=related

BorisBeckerFan · 10-20-2009, 08:17 PM

Laver and Davenport.

adista4 · 10-21-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downdaline

^^^

Yo Federer, im really happy for you and your slams, and i'll let you finish, but Agassi was one of the best ball strikers of all time. Of all time!

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

))))))

caranddriver · 10-21-2009, 12:27 PM

Women: Steffi, Lindsay and Chris

cork_screw · 10-21-2009, 12:32 PM

Can we just stop these greatest of all time crap. Ivan Lendl was great, but so is Federer, Agassi and Sampras. Who knows who the best is. How about a real thread for once?

Power Player · 10-21-2009, 01:07 PM

Cleanest to me is agassi because he hit with so much power so consistently. I have yet to see anyone else hit that clean and hard since, but I am sure it will happen.

scootad. · 10-21-2009, 02:25 PM

Tracy Austin hit the ball pretty damn clean too. Lindsay modeled her groundies after her.

10-17-2009, 03:55 PM	#22
jimbo333 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Windsor, England Posts: 3,987	^^^^^ And don't forget Connors was using that tiny headed T2000 racquet! Maybe that helped focus the mind __________________ :)

10-18-2009, 12:29 AM	#25
adista4 Semi-Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Timisoara, Romania Posts: 472	Andre Agassi __________________ 1X Donnay Pro One LE OS, 2X HEAD TT Rad Tour OS, 1X POG OS, 1X HEAD AA Rad OS LE, (Signum Pro Poly Megaforce 1.29 at 28-27kg)

10-19-2009, 07:29 PM	#33
downdaline Professional Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 816	^^^ Yo Federer, im really happy for you and your slams, and i'll let you finish, but Agassi was one of the best ball strikers of all time. Of all time! __________________ ~~~~Aggressive All-Courter~~~~ Prince TT Warrior :: Babolat Tonic+ 16 x Alu Power @ 58lbs x 56lbs

10-21-2009, 01:07 PM	#39
Power Player G.O.A.T. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: On my iPhone Posts: 13,543	Cleanest to me is agassi because he hit with so much power so consistently. I have yet to see anyone else hit that clean and hard since, but I am sure it will happen. __________________ 🐐ing

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