Becker's coach said Lendl was lightning fast in 1986. Is this true?

sandy mayer

Semi-Pro
Boris Becker's coach Gunther Bosch wrote a book about Becker called Boris in 1986. I no longer have it, but I remember Bosch describing Lendl as so fast he could keep up with the world's fastest sprinters over the first few metres. He said that Wilander was not as fast as this but like an arrow compared to Boris. I get the impression that Bosch thought Lendl was the fastest player in the world. Yet Lendl isn't remembered as being outstandingly quick. Was he really as fast as Bosch says? Was he faster than Wilander? Was he faster than Cash, Edberg, Mecir, and Noah? I know Lendl was fast but I think Bosch was over stating Lendl's speed.
 
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Fedinkum

Legend
Boris Becker's coach Gunther Bosch wrote a book about Becker called Boris in 1986. I no longer have it, but I remember Bosch describing Lendl as so fast he could keep up with the world's fastest sprinters over the first few metres. He said that Wilander was not as fast as this but like an arrow compared to Boris. I get the impression that Bosch thought Lendl was the fastest player in the world. Yet Lendl isn't remembered as being outstandingly quick. Was he really as fast as Bosch says? Was he faster than Wilander? Was he faster than Cash, Edberg, Mecir, and Noah? I think Bosch was over stating Lendl's speed.
That was a great biography. He also said Graf would have been a great 400m sprinter with her superior physical built. I wish I have kept that book.
 

goldenera

Semi-Pro
Boris Becker's coach Gunther Bosch wrote a book about Becker called Boris in 1986. I no longer have it, but I remember Bosch describing Lendl as so fast he could keep up with the world's fastest sprinters over the first few metres. He said that Wilander was not as fast as this but like an arrow compared to Boris. I get the impression that Bosch thought Lendl was the fastest player in the world. Yet Lendl isn't remembered as being outstandingly quick. Was he really as fast as Bosch says? Was he faster than Wilander? Was he faster than Cash, Edberg, Mecir, and Noah? I think Bosch was over stating Lendl's speed.
Training era inaugurated by Lendl
 

goldenera

Semi-Pro
Lendl was a bit slowcafootnuntil 1985 when he went.onto that hard diet and training routine that I think he copied of Navratilova.
Must be said that with his blistering groundies and serve he could dominate almost all players without quickness was too much needed
But against the likes of Mc Enroe,Connors,Wilander,Becker and of course Borg if he had still be playing,he soon knew that he needed better legs to reach the pinnacle
 

tonylg

Legend
Lendl was a bit slowcafootnuntil 1985 when he went.onto that hard diet and training routine that I think he copied of Navratilova.
Must be said that with his blistering groundies and serve he could dominate almost all players without quickness was too much needed
But against the likes of Mc Enroe,Connors,Wilander,Becker and of course Borg if he had still be playing,he soon knew that he needed better legs to reach the pinnacle

I'm talking about when he was dominating and he was so lean that his face was almost gaunt.
 

urban

Legend
Lendl was faster than Boris, whose footwork and mobility was pretty weak. But Lendl's feet were pretty heavy. I remember reports, that one could hear his heavy steps on court, while others like Wilander were gliding softly and silently around the court. One could also see that after a clay match on his socks, which were cladded red and brown with sand, while Wilanders socks were shining white like fresh. As said, after 1984, Lendl did much with his diet and training, to enhance speed and stamina.
 

Thetouch

Professional
I watched the post match interview of Becker when he lost his US Open semi to Mecir and he called Mecir "the fastest player I have ever played against so far"
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
He was fast, but it's not what I remember about him - at all. I probably never would have listed him as a top-speed guy. Maybe it's how he moved - people who move fast don't always look like they're moving fast. Also, his game was primarily aggressive oriented - looking to be ahead in the points and dictating; thus not being the one running from side to side. So, he probably got to show his speed off less than someone like Chang or Hewitt.

Then there's of course the whole breakdown of movement which we've discussed before - "fast" isn't necessarily the same as quick; and of course there's anticipation - which really bolsters speed/quickness/fastness and can be somewhat of a remedy if a player lacks elite movement.
 

jrepac

Hall of Fame
He was fast, but it's not what I remember about him - at all. I probably never would have listed him as a top-speed guy. Maybe it's how he moved - people who move fast don't always look like they're moving fast. Also, his game was primarily aggressive oriented - looking to be ahead in the points and dictating; thus not being the one running from side to side. So, he probably got to show his speed off less than someone like Chang or Hewitt.

Then there's of course the whole breakdown of movement which we've discussed before - "fast" isn't necessarily the same as quick; and of course there's anticipation - which really bolsters speed/quickness/fastness and can be somewhat of a remedy if a player lacks elite movement.

This is an interesting discussion re: Lendl's speed. Relative to top form Mac, Borg and Connors, Lendl never seemed all that quick to me. But I do wonder if it was because of the way he had to set up for his strokes? He always seemed plodding to me on grass and his forward motion looked awkward. Like I said, it seemed like he got better laterally in the mid 80's, now reaching balls he might have missed (or misfired) in the past. So, maybe it was just that his footwork wasn't as smooth as the others?
 

BorgCash

Legend
Boris Becker's coach Gunther Bosch wrote a book about Becker called Boris in 1986. I no longer have it, but I remember Bosch describing Lendl as so fast he could keep up with the world's fastest sprinters over the first few metres. He said that Wilander was not as fast as this but like an arrow compared to Boris. I get the impression that Bosch thought Lendl was the fastest player in the world. Yet Lendl isn't remembered as being outstandingly quick. Was he really as fast as Bosch says? Was he faster than Wilander? Was he faster than Cash, Edberg, Mecir, and Noah? I know Lendl was fast but I think Bosch was over stating Lendl's speed.
I have this book, great pictures.
 

BumElbow

Professional
Lendl was more than fit - which helped him be fast - he also had excellent muscle as well as hand and eye coordination. And, he hit the ball a ton. Becker was very strong physically and mentally but not the most mobile on the court. In comparison, Edberg's movement was smooth and seemed effortless.
 
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