Bigger waste: Marcelo Rios or Guillermo Coria?
- Thread starter GameSetR
- Start date
Yeah, I would agree that Rios was a higher-level talent, though I find his talent extremely overrated. Some people talk about Rios as if he was Rod Laver.
But yeah, he was a superior player to Coria.
80s New Wave
Semi-Pro
Rios should have done better at the slams but I think his top end potential was still a bit limited as he didn't hit have great power and, for a player of his dimensions, I thought his movement was very good but not great. His hands and ability to take the ball early and put it in difficult spots for his opponent was top notch but winning slams without elite defensive speed or some kind of put away power (serve or fh) is pretty rare.
Coria really wasted more to me because he basically had a rg title virtually wrapped up and collapsed mentally.
Coria really wasted more to me because he basically had a rg title virtually wrapped up and collapsed mentally.
martinezownsclay
Hall of Fame
He wasn't even a contender on anything but clay. That alone suggests only talented to a certain extent. Really great talents with a strong work ethic, and reasonably strong mind, are not contenders on just one surface.
Mustard
Bionic Poster
Quarter finalist at the US Open on multiple occasions, including with yips trouble in 2005.
Clay lover
Legend
I am always going to be biased towards Coria as he represented the last generation of clay courters with actual all-court skills and who didn't just brainlessly bash high % topspin balls like how the nextgen plays on EVERY SURFACE today. He had awesome touch and decent volleys, wasn't unwilling to come in and also pulled the trigger despite his modest power (especially when playing Nadal as it was impossible to put him away otherwise).
Rios.
Yeah, the way the new generation plays the game is terrible imo.
Oval_Solid
Hall of Fame
they both had injuries
Jack the Hack
Hall of Fame
Well, considering that Rios made it to #1, had 5 M1000 titles, and yet never won a Slam... I think he was clearly a more talented player than Coria, yet failed to capitalize on his gifts. I always considered Coria to be a clay court specialist. All 9 of Coria's titles are on clay, where Rios has titles on hard courts, clay, and even indoor carpet. I also think Rios was one of the first guys to win the "sunshine double" with the 1998 Indian Wells and Miami titles back-to-back.
martinezownsclay
Hall of Fame
That alone does not make you a contender. There are rogue journeymen who have been to a couple quarters or more at the U.S Open, or even a semi. I stand by what I said, Coria only ever demonstrated being a contender on one surface- clay.
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