Grass GOAT
- Thread starter gj011
- Start date
gj011
Banned
The reason this thread was missing is because most think it is a non-argument. It's Samp without question.
By the way, that is a sweet avatar. Very appropriate for a thread about grass.
I thought claycourt GOAT is non-argument too.
Thanks
I hope you can recognize who is on the picture.
edmondsm
Legend
I thought claycourt GOAT is non-argument too.
Thanks
That's a good point. There is no arguing with 6 FO titles.
Sorry I can't come up with who it is. Maybe a clue?
![shwetty[tennis]balls](/data/avatars/m/23/23325.jpg?1435130997){kind=avatar}
shwetty[tennis]balls
Rookie
For now Sampras. We'll see if Federer can outrun him.
Nadal_Freak
Banned
Sampras on the old grass but I think Federer would be better on the modern grass.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
Sampras served like a machine on grass. Agassi was lucky in 91, he would never have beaten Sampras on grass!
ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
Weren't a lot of older slams played on grass too? So you have to consider those greats who won non-wimby slams on grass.
But of course, Sampras takes the cake.
But of course, Sampras takes the cake.
gj011
Banned
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Well Lads and Lassies. Sampras was a great on the grass no doubt and I believe he is the greatest. The thing is that if Federer wins 6 or 7 straight titles at Wimbledon and wins more Wimbledons then Sampras then he is the GOAT on grass because he beat him in 2001. Sampras has never beaten Fed on grass. But still Sampras is the best unless Federer cracks his record.
ninman
Hall of Fame
Yes but Sampras's longest winning streak on grass was around 26 matches I believe, Federer is currently at 54. Sampras only ever managed 1 year unbeaten on grass, Federer has gone 5. Sampras won 3 in a row then 4 in a row at Wimbledon, Federer is at 5 in a row. Sampras was a great grass courter, and a brilliant serve and volleyer, but I think currently Federer's record is better.
I think for Federer to truly surpass Sampras, he needs to win Wimbledon 3 more times, i.e. the same years that Sampras won his last Wimbledon's.
superman1
Legend
I don't think it's exactly equal. The grass courts were faster when Sampras played, and a lot of his competition served big and volleyed well. Federer's grass court wins are mostly baseline battles against pure baseliners.
crawl4
Rookie
Laver
When people poke at him being the GOAT, they always say, "Well, 3 of the 4 slams were on grass then." Between 1962 (amateur) and 69 (open) he won 6 straight slam tournaments in a row on grass. He had a pretty impressive record in the intervening pro-only years, also.
He wasn't very big, but like Bobby Riggs, he used the grass to make his serve extremely difficult to return well. He was a better volleyer than Sampras and had better passing shots.
When people poke at him being the GOAT, they always say, "Well, 3 of the 4 slams were on grass then." Between 1962 (amateur) and 69 (open) he won 6 straight slam tournaments in a row on grass. He had a pretty impressive record in the intervening pro-only years, also.
He wasn't very big, but like Bobby Riggs, he used the grass to make his serve extremely difficult to return well. He was a better volleyer than Sampras and had better passing shots.
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With today's slower surface, you also need a ground game. You need, say, a backhand. Pete is lucky he retired when you did.
leonidas1982
Hall of Fame
Can't really call Federer a grass GOAT since grass courts, especially Wimbledon, have lost their characteristics. Bjorn was great because he was able to change his baseline game to serve and volley for Wimbledon -- a real feat.
leonidas1982
Hall of Fame
^^^ Ha, classic. It certainly is true.
I agree with you here but even if the grass didn't change I think Fed would still have won all his Wimbledon tittles. That said my vote would be Sampras. Behind Pete in no particular order would be Mac, Fed, Becker, Borg, and Edberg. I can't add the old timers (Laver etc......) cause I never saw them played.
Eviscerator
Banned
Laver.....
stormholloway
Legend
stormholloway
Legend
leonidas1982
Hall of Fame
^^^ I presume he never heard of Pete's running forehand, or the fact that he has one of the best forehands.
superman1
Legend
We'll never know. Wimbledon is a neutral surface now, back then it was a polarizing surface. Even if you were great on the stuff, like Sampras, once in a while you could meet someone who could serve lights out and bring it down to a couple of points here and there.
Ferrari1190
Rookie
Pete Sampras
m1stuhxsp4rk5
Professional
pete sampras
Smart - so smart
This thread is missing after the other two.
My vote goes to Sampras too
My vote goes for Pete, too. I saw part of Philadelphia in 1990...and was totally caught up in his play. Then, saw his first US Open win...that little skinny kid beating MacEnroe, Lendl and Agassi...whoa. I was caught hook line and sinker and have been amazed at what he's done, and still live a decent life. Moms and point to him as a real sportsman for their kids...and that's great, too.
Fed, a bit red?
He's terrific, but he's had a hard year so far....wonder if it's cause of Pete, or mono:shock:
Francella
He's terrific, but he's had a hard year so far....wonder if it's cause of Pete, or mono:shock:
Francella
lambielspins
Banned
Rod Laver.
Yeap....I saw the match at Wimby when Krajicek won. boy was he cool that day. you could see it on his face..."ok, Pete, see if you can knock this tree over? So I wasn't happy at the end of that match....since Pete's #1 to me. But I always like Richard........more than Fed. Francella
But Pete's playing again...and he's going to do that round robin in London in December...that's competition, not just expos. But he showed well against Fed even if the overall score is now 3-1. I was at MSG, and Pete was tired that last set....but oh so painfully close to taking it at 5-3. It's still a real pleasure to watch him play; his style is just so so so beautiful on court. Guess you can tell I'm a real fan.
Francella
You don'think Fed will surpass Pete? He's still young, and only has to win 3 more? I don't like it, but I've accepted it; I just wish Fed had come along 10 years from now so that Pete could enjoy his GOAT longer.
Francella
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