10 Greatest streaks in Open era history

A

Agassifan

Hall of Fame
1. Federer 10 straight slam finals (winning 8 of them)
2. Federer, 22 straight slam semis (losing to eventual winner in each)
3. Federer, 65 straight wins on grass (5 wimbledons)
4. Federer, 237 consecutive weeks @ No. 1
5. Nadal, 81 straight wins on clay (2 french opens)
6. Laver, 4 straight slams
7. Sampras, 6 consecutive yearend No. 1s
8. Nadal, Borg, 4 straight french opens
9. Federer, 5 straight US Opens
10. Federer, Borg, 5 straight wimbledons
--------------------------

- The only reason Rod laver is at 6 is because of the lack of variety in surfaces those days. If somebody does it now (unlikely), it will be the greatest feat in all of sports. Fed came closest 3 times.

- IMO, 4 consecutive french opens > 5 consecutive wimbledons. Sustained domination at the french is harder.

- 65 wins / 5 years / 5 wimbledons > 81 / 2 years / 2 french opens.

I would like to see your lists and compile a consensus top 10.
 
Last edited:
jamesblakefan#1

jamesblakefan#1

G.O.A.T.
You omitted Vilas' 46 match win streak in '77. Also I think 4 straight slams has to take precedent, especially considering Laver did it twice. Another one is Borg pulling the French-Wimbledon double 3 consecutive years.
 
B

BorisBeckerFan

Professional
I value slams more than rankings but for some reason Federer, 237 consecutive weeks @ No. 1 and Sampras, 6 consecutive yearend No. 1s really stand out to me as being insane or not being surpassed.
 
Blinkism

Blinkism

Legend
Agassifan said:
Open Era.

Also, the list is my humble opinion. I would be interested to see how each of your lists look like.
Click to expand...

Oops, sorry about that!

Does anyone know what the tournament winning streak is, like most tournaments in a row week-after-week?

I remember hearing something about Lendl winning 6 tourney's in a row, but I have a feeling Federer might have this record now.
 
Carsomyr

Carsomyr

Legend
Blinkism said:
Oops, sorry about that!

Does anyone know what the tournament winning streak is, like most tournaments in a row week-after-week?

I remember hearing something about Lendl winning 6 tourney's in a row, but I have a feeling Federer might have this record now.
Click to expand...

Federer won 7 tournaments in a row from 2006 US Open to 2007 Dubai. But I'm pretty sure Lendl and McEnroe both won 8 in a row at some point. Lendl also holds the record for most final appearances in a row with either 18 or 19, and Federer fell one short of that, too.
 
D

Deleted member 21996

Guest
Agassifan said:
1. Federer 10 straight slam finals (winning 8 of them)
2. Federer, 22 straight slam semis (losing to eventual winner in each)
3. Federer, 65 straight wins on grass (5 wimbledons)
4. Federer, 237 consecutive weeks @ No. 1
5. Nadal, 81 straight wins on clay (2 french opens)
6. Laver, 4 straight slams
7. Sampras, 6 consecutive yearend No. 1s
8. Nadal, 4 straight french opens (31-1 for his career @ RG)
9. Federer, 5 straight US Opens
10. Federer, 5 straight wimbledons
--------------------------

The only reason Rod laver is at 6 is because of the lack of variety in surfaces those days. If somebody does it now (unlikely), it will be the greatest feat in all of sports. Fed came closest 3 times.

I would like to see your lists and compile a consensus top 10.
Click to expand...

bolded part = Pure freash steamy crap...

2. Federer, 22 straight slam semis (losing to eventual winner in each) -

How is a "almost a streak" a streak (if you know what i mean)... this is just as important as wayne ferreiras consecutive slam apearences, even if he did get washed up in round one in some of them...

3. Federer, 65 straight wins on grass (5 wimbledons)

the name BORG rings you any bell?

10. Federer, 5 straight wimbledons

the name BORG rings you any bell?

the rest is ok, with some diferent positions for me. laver comes first!
 
Carsomyr

Carsomyr

Legend
Gorecki said:
bolded part = Pure freash steamy crap...

2. Federer, 22 straight slam semis (losing to eventual winner in each) -
Click to expand...

The last two I agree with, but if you don't think 22 consecutive Slam semis is impressive, you're out of your damn mind.
 
aphex

aphex

Banned
i have to put the 22 semis as my number 1.

10 finals number 2.

also somewhere in there, there should be the current 7 finals streak (and counting)
 
aphex

aphex

Banned
Gorecki said:
bolded part = Pure freash steamy crap...

2. Federer, 22 straight slam semis (losing to eventual winner in each) -

How is a "almost a streak" a streak (if you know what i mean)... this is just as important as wayne ferreiras consecutive slam apearences, even if he did get washed up in round one in some of them...

3. Federer, 65 straight wins on grass (5 wimbledons)

the name BORG rings you any bell?

10. Federer, 5 straight wimbledons

the name BORG rings you any bell?



the rest is ok, with some diferent positions for me. laver comes first!
Click to expand...

what do you mean "almost a streak"? it is a streak of 22 major semifinals in a row.
 
D

dropshot winner

Hall of Fame
Some of Borg's streaks definately belong in here, but how can anyone compare Federer's semifinal streak with simple appearances?
Even I could manage 22 straight slam appearances if I got 22 wildcards, but winning 22 times at least 5 matches is something very different.
 
vive le beau jeu !

vive le beau jeu !

Talk Tennis Guru
Carsomyr said:
The last two I agree with, but if you don't think 22 consecutive Slam semis is impressive, you're out of your damn mind.
Click to expand...
especially when you think the previous record was 10 (lendl !). ;)

the same lendl that says:
"If you called me eight years ago and said 'There will be a guy who comes along, and he'll be in 21 straight Grand Slam semifinals,'" Lendl said. "Well, I would be looking for a polite way to end the conversation as quickly as possible because I'd be talking to somebody out of their mind."

Then he laughed again.

"It's just ridiculous," Lendl added. "There is no other way to say it. You can't explain it to people, it's just absurd.

"When you slow down and really think about it, it's almost obscene."
Click to expand...
(from Carsomyr's link)


by the way, lendl's 9 straight finals at the masters cup is also a very impressive record ! (just to qualify 9 straight times is already amazing, so...)

about roger, there's also his 24 consecutive finals won... that's big too !
(previous record was 12, by borg and mac)
 
M

McBrat

New User
From Carsomyr's first link:
If Federer reaches the final here, he would become the first man in history to reach all four major finals in the same year on three occasions (2006, 2007, 2009), surpassing Rod Laver's Grand Slams in 1962 and 1969.
Click to expand...
Truth has never sounded more ridiculous.:lol:
 
boojay

boojay

Hall of Fame
The 22 straight semis (and counting) streak is the greatest. 10 straight finals will probably be broken eventually, hell, Fed's already at 7 again, as mentioned, so maybe he'll break it, but he'll never break his semis record, nor will anyone else in our lifetimes.
 
BreakPoint

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
How about 7 straight Wimbledon finals followed by 6 straight US Open finals by Federer?

Borg never made 7 straight Wimbledon finals, and although Lendl made 8 straight US Open finals, he didn't precede them with 7 straight Wimbledon finals.
 
Baikalic

Baikalic

Semi-Pro
boojay said:
The 22 straight semis (and counting) streak is the greatest. 10 straight finals will probably be broken eventually, hell, Fed's already at 7 again, as mentioned, so maybe he'll break it, but he'll never break his semis record, nor will anyone else in our lifetimes.
Click to expand...

ah yes but his since his 22 straight semis are still counting, he will continue to break it until he doesn't break it! :):)
 
P_Agony

P_Agony

Banned
Agassifan said:
1. Federer 10 straight slam finals (winning 8 of them)
2. Federer, 22 straight slam semis (losing to eventual winner in each)
3. Federer, 65 straight wins on grass (5 wimbledons)
4. Federer, 237 consecutive weeks @ No. 1
5. Nadal, 81 straight wins on clay (2 french opens)
6. Laver, 4 straight slams
7. Sampras, 6 consecutive yearend No. 1s
8. Nadal, 4 straight french opens (31-1 for his career @ RG)
9. Federer, 5 straight US Opens
10. Federer, 5 straight wimbledons
--------------------------

The only reason Rod laver is at 6 is because of the lack of variety in surfaces those days. If somebody does it now (unlikely), it will be the greatest feat in all of sports. Fed came closest 3 times.

I would like to see your lists and compile a consensus top 10.
Click to expand...

I think Nadal's 81 match wins on clay is just as impressive as Fed's grass streak. Sure, Fed's lasted longer, but Nadal played more matches in his. Funny how they both stopped each other's streaks.

Also, how is a 4 FO streak more impressive than 5 USOs or 5 Wimblys?
 
L

lawrence

Hall of Fame
P_Agony said:
I think Nadal's 81 match wins on clay is just as impressive as Fed's grass streak. Sure, Fed's lasted longer, but Nadal played more matches in his. Funny how they both stopped each other's streaks.

Also, how is a 4 FO streak more impressive than 5 USOs or 5 Wimblys?
Click to expand...

Yep, the Fed-Nadal rivalry is definitely the greatest IMO. They've taken away so many of each others possible achievements. Sure it must be great to have a good rival to help excel your game, but deep down I'm sure Nadal or Federer have always thought: "If <nad/fed> didn't exist, I'd have ALL the slams!" haha.
 
roysid

roysid

Hall of Fame
Fed's slam streaks are very well known.
But 41 match streak from US open'2006 to Dubai'07 is also exceptional.
He won USO, Tokyo, Madrid, Basel, Sanghai, AO and Dubai on the trot.
 
kOaMaster

kOaMaster

Hall of Fame
I'd put Nadals streak 2nd. his clay streak is the most impressive single winning streak in my opinion. just beaten by federer's grand slam statistics (I don't think more than 2 or 3 streaks here are necessary, the slam semi-statistics is the most increddible to me).

and don't forget also previous streaks by borg if you want to include the open era.
 
D

Deleted member 21996

Guest
Carsomyr said:
The last two I agree with, but if you don't think 22 consecutive Slam semis is impressive, you're out of your damn mind.
Click to expand...

maybe...

it's a matter of opinions. im not saying it's factual...

what do you have to say about my Wayne Ferreira "streak" do you think it's a streak? is it impressive? if you say it's also impressive, then your opinion is coherent... if not you are giving me the reason.

anyway, i can give you that it is an impressive statistic. i have trouble calling it a streak per se
 
jagmeister

jagmeister

New User
Chris Evert won 125 straight clay court matches. She also won a GS title for 13 straight years. 34 consecutive GS semis.
 
kOaMaster

kOaMaster

Hall of Fame
jagmeister said:
Chris Evert won 125 straight clay court matches. She also won a GS title for 13 straight years. 34 consecutive GS semis.
Click to expand...

true, but since you can't really compare womens tennis achievements to mens tennis, I think this thread is not about the other gender.
 
J

jean pierre

Professional
The most impressive record is Vilas 1977 : 46 matches won consecutively. And if he didn't loose against the spagehtti racket of Nastase, he would have won more !
 
L

Ledigs

Legend
I think Nadal's #2 streak is pretty impressive. Also his clay court records.

"On Oct. 22nd, Rafa will receive a full-sized replica of the Trofeo Conde de Godo – the huge trophy given out for the Barcelona tournament. He’s being bestowed this honor because he’s the only player in the history of the tournament to win it five times"
 
L

Ledigs

Legend
kOaMaster said:
true, but since you can't really compare womens tennis achievements to mens tennis, I think this thread is not about the other gender.
Click to expand...

Not to be mean, but if you mean ONLY men's tennis then it should be written in the OP or title. Let's not harken back to the old days where women's achievements were only valid "for a woman". As a female tennis player, Chris Evert's achievements are incredible. We can't help that we aren't 6'2" 185 pounds.
 
F

Fr4Nc0

Rookie
idk, i think that federer's streak in grass is more impressive than nadal's in clay due to the shortness of the grass season and the REEEEEAAAAAALLLLYYYYY long clay season
 
N

NGM

Hall of Fame
jean pierre said:
The most impressive record is Vilas 1977 : 46 matches won consecutively. And if he didn't loose against the spagehtti racket of Nastase, he would have won more !
Click to expand...

Well, it was pretty impressive, but not the greatest streak. Vilas did it in one good year, not like Federer' 22 consecutive semifinals was done in more than 5 consecutive years. You just can't imagine that feat can be done by a human-being. That ****ing unbelievable streak.
 
L

Ledigs

Legend
Fr4Nc0 said:
idk, i think that federer's streak in grass is more impressive than nadal's in clay due to the shortness of the grass season and the REEEEEAAAAAALLLLYYYYY long clay season
Click to expand...

Shouldn't it be the opposite then? Harder to keep consistent over a long season. Have one bad day and that's it.
 
L

Ledigs

Legend
Interesting. For comparison with RF's semifinal record, let's take from 2006 and beyond for Nadal since he was only a teenager in 2005.

He has made 10/16 semifinals since January 2006. Two tournaments he missed with injury and he made 2 QF and 2 4R (1 2006, 2 2007 and 1 2009). 8/10 he went on to make final.

The consecutive nature is what makes the record so great for RF. No real injuries, all-surface dominance.
 
N

NGM

Hall of Fame
Ledigs said:
Interesting. For comparison with RF's semifinal record, let's take from 2006 and beyond for Nadal since he was only a teenager in 2005.

He has made 10/16 semifinals since January 2006. Two tournaments he missed with injury and he made 2 QF and 2 4R (1 2006, 2 2007 and 1 2009). 8/10 he went on to make final.

The consecutive nature is what makes the record so great for RF. No real injuries, all-surface dominance.
Click to expand...

Nadal' streak was unreal. Oh wait Mss Ledigs, how many of them was GS semifinals?
 
Blinkism

Blinkism

Legend
Ledigs said:
I think Nadal's #2 streak is pretty impressive. Also his clay court records.

"On Oct. 22nd, Rafa will receive a full-sized replica of the Trofeo Conde de Godo – the huge trophy given out for the Barcelona tournament. He’s being bestowed this honor because he’s the only player in the history of the tournament to win it five times"
Click to expand...

Oh, wow, that's pretty cool. Probably Nadal's biggest trophy, and it's also, sort of, his "hometown" tournament as the club where the tourney is played is his club and Barcelona is closest to Majorca in terms of ATP stops (also, the old Majorca ATP event merged with Barcelona.. and that's where Nadal played his first ATP matches)..

So, definitely must have been a great moment for him.
 
L

Ledigs

Legend
NGM said:
Im sorry, didnt read your post carefully. But it wasn't a streak, right? Nadal longest streak was something like 5 in a row. Not good enough IMO.
Click to expand...

I didn't say it was a streak. Sorry if I was not clear. I was just comparing RF's semifinal streak to his next closest competitor. Nadal went to 10/16 semifinals since 2006 but not in a row.
 
G

GS

Professional
Enough of winning streaks---how about losing streaks? That would be Vince Spadea's 21 straight ATP first round losses, a record that may never be broken. (Well, Donald Young might try.) To me, Spadea isn't the GOAT, he's the LAMB! (Loser At Major Bumbling)
 
T

TMF

Talk Tennis Guru
Gorecki said:
bolded part = Pure freash steamy crap...

2. Federer, 22 straight slam semis (losing to eventual winner in each) -

How is a "almost a streak" a streak (if you know what i mean)... this is just as important as wayne ferreiras consecutive slam apearences, even if he did get washed up in round one in some of them...

3. Federer, 65 straight wins on grass (5 wimbledons)

the name BORG rings you any bell?

10. Federer, 5 straight wimbledons

the name BORG rings you any bell?

the rest is ok, with some diferent positions for me. laver comes first!
Click to expand...


Actually your post is full of crap.

2. At this day and age, the game is so physically demanding that it’s so difficult to stay healthy and continue to play high level. Just to make 22 consecutive slam appearances alone is impressive b/c so many players are unable to do it. For Federer to managed to reached all the semi for 5 and half years is incredibly remarkable.

3. No, it didn’t ring a bell. When did Borg ever won 65 consecutive matches on grass?

10. You are right, Borg did win 5 consecutive SW19. But Roger did it in the modern era while Borg’s feat was 30 years ago. Plus, Borg had a combined total of 7 matches that reached a 5 setter, Roger only had one match.
 
T

TMF

Talk Tennis Guru
Agassifan said:
1. Federer 10 straight slam finals (winning 8 of them)
2. Federer, 22 straight slam semis (losing to eventual winner in each)
3. Federer, 65 straight wins on grass (5 wimbledons)
4. Federer, 237 consecutive weeks @ No. 1
5. Nadal, 81 straight wins on clay (2 french opens)
6. Laver, 4 straight slams
7. Sampras, 6 consecutive yearend No. 1s
8. Nadal, Borg, 4 straight french opens
9. Federer, 5 straight US Opens
10. Federer, Borg, 5 straight wimbledons
--------------------------

The only reason Rod laver is at 6 is because of the lack of variety in surfaces those days. If somebody does it now (unlikely), it will be the greatest feat in all of sports. Fed came closest 3 times.

I would like to see your lists and compile a consensus top 10.
Click to expand...

Good job agassifan. If I have to sqeeze in one player in your list I would put Lendl in there. He made 8 consecutive final at the USO.
 
C

charliefedererer

Legend
How about winning 9 of 11 consecutive slams, with another final thrown in to boot? That's pretty dominating.
But after winning the grand slam as an amature in '62, and having to await the dawn of the open era to compete again, Laver reached the finals of the French and took Wimbledon in '68 and then the grand slam again in '69. (Pro's were not allowed to compete yet in the '68 AU.)
 
Last edited:
wilkinru

wilkinru

Professional
Uhm, Winning 4 majors in a row is the BEST streak ever.

Trust me - if someone ever does it again (or gets 3) - the USO will be the wildest ever.

Tennis will be all over the news.
 
J

jrepac

Hall of Fame
Open era records

jagmeister said:
Chris Evert won 125 straight clay court matches. She also won a GS title for 13 straight years. 34 consecutive GS semis.
Click to expand...

Yes, the OP's list is focused on the "now" and lacking the ladies...Chrissie's record of matches on clay should be here, plus some stuff from Steffi and Martina as well.

On the men's side, some of Borgs records are overlooked (as has been noted), plus Ivan's (8 USO finals in a row), and connors (#tourneys, 3USO's on 3 diff surfaces), etc., etc. Even Andre's career slam is worthy of note...
 
A

Agassifan

Hall of Fame
jrepac said:
Yes, the OP's list is focused on the "now" and lacking the ladies...Chrissie's record of matches on clay should be here, plus some stuff from Steffi and Martina as well.

On the men's side, some of Borgs records are overlooked (as has been noted), plus Ivan's (8 USO finals in a row), and connors (#tourneys, 3USO's on 3 diff surfaces), etc., etc. Even Andre's career slam is worthy of note...
Click to expand...

I am not talking about the ladies. I had lendl's 8 USOs as #11. Career slam wasnt a streak.
 
L

Ledigs

Legend
Agassifan said:
I am not talking about the ladies. I had lendl's 8 USOs as #11. Career slam wasnt a streak.
Click to expand...

If you are not talking about the ladies, you have to say "men's tennis". You can't just expect everyone to assume the only streaks worth talking about in "tennis" are men's streaks.
 
D

Deleted member 21996

Guest
TMF said:
Actually your post is full of crap.

2. At this day and age, the game is so physically demanding that it’s so difficult to stay healthy and continue to play high level. Just to make 22 consecutive slam appearances alone is impressive b/c so many players are unable to do it. For Federer to managed to reached all the semi for 5 and half years is incredibly remarkable.

3. No, it didn’t ring a bell. When did Borg ever won 65 consecutive matches on grass?

10. You are right, Borg did win 5 consecutive SW19. But Roger did it in the modern era while Borg’s feat was 30 years ago. Plus, Borg had a combined total of 7 matches that reached a 5 setter, Roger only had one match.
Click to expand...

yes mirka... we all know how mighty fed is...

now tell me..

why is "the game is so physically demanding "? does your boyfreind play tennis "this day and age" with no cushion shoes and a wood bat?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Carsomyr

Carsomyr

Legend
Gorecki said:
maybe...

it's a matter of opinions. im not saying it's factual...

what do you have to say about my Wayne Ferreira "streak" do you think it's a streak? is it impressive? if you say it's also impressive, then your opinion is coherent... if not you are giving me the reason.

anyway, i can give you that it is an impressive statistic. i have trouble calling it a streak per se
Click to expand...

You said that you felt Federer's other streaks were worthy of inclusion. According to your definition of the term, his 10 straight GS finals run isn't a "streak" either, if I'm to take that you believe it's not a streak if he loses.

I think Ferreira's streak is impressive because it attests to his longevity, but Federer's streak attests to his longevity and remarkable consistency. As another poster said, Federer's victory over at least five opponents (except the couple of walkovers he's had) twenty-two times in a row at the big events is, as Lendl put it, obscene.
 
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