Comparing current players to previous era

[Ripper014]

This argument is not an easy one to assess... my humble opinion is that equipment plays a large part of todays game. The way I think of it is this... if you think of tennis of a game of control and power... and consider a sliding scale.

Power<<< >>>Control

With a larger racket you could slide the scale more to the power side since hitting the center of your racket is at less of a premium. Using a 60 sq/in racket... control is much more an important... and mishits become much more of an issue. With a smaller racket most of us would play a much more controlled game, making sure to hit the center of your racket to get the most out of every shot... opposed to swinging wildly trying to max out on power and spin.

Playing tennis with a small racket competitively is a different game, but this is just my opinion.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by TMF

You are asking modern players to play as much as they did is simply impossible. The game is much more taxing on the body. This isn’t just happened to one or two players, but a host of other players are beat up too. You use Gonzo and Rosewall as an example of the player’s fitness are much better than today. So how is it 50+ years ago players are so healthy and doesn’t get burned out like today? Did today’s players eating too much junk foods? Are they just simply out of shape? After all the excuses about players today having the advantage over equipments, nutrition, training, blah blah blah. Maybe having all of the advantage does make these modern athletes getting worse.

TMF, You seem like a nice person and an intelligent and knowledgable poster, but I didn't say any of the things you believe I said.

I asked you to imagine if Fed and Rafa played this schedule. I am not suggesting any conclusions from your imagining. I'll leave that to you.

I did not say that Gonzales or Rosewall are more fit. You inferred that, I did not say that. If that is the conclusion you draw, then that is your conclusion.

All I meant to suggest is that the Pro game was not as easy, cushy, and "country club" as some have suggested. That's all.

If you want to say that for today's players to play this schedule would be impossible for the toll it would take on their bodies, then OK say that. (I am not so sure--maybe they are so fit they could actually could play this tough, hard schedule.) But to use this belief to conclude therefore that today's game is much more demanding is simply logically incorrect.

Please stop arguing against yourself, and then disliking your own conclusions.