I like Tommy Haas's backhand also.
Mecir was nervous like heck, when it came to majors or DC matches. Against Lendl in big finals he got the yips, as it is called in golf. Maybe he saw in Lendl the big brother from the same country (Mecir is Slovak), whom he had no right to beat on the big occasion. Mecir blew it against Edberg at Wim 1988, when he returned like crazy for 2 sets and a half, and then meekly faded out. I saw him serve underhand from nerves, when he had a big lead against Connors in the deciding match in the World Team Cup. Still no one beat Wilander that bad, when he was on song, and it didn't matter, if it was on clay.
Mecir = the Baryshnikov of TennisHe had great strokes and glided around the court so beautifully...he was a lot of fun to watch. He was very unique. His serve, not so hot, but the ground game made up for it. It was odd that under certain circumstances, he'd crack...he'd cream McEnroe but then gag against Connors or Lendl, even when he was playing them tightly. Got to think there was some junk in his head there...the home country thing w/lendl, and Jimmy playing the usual mind games...so maybe give the guy some slack. Still loved watching him play the top baseliners of the day, Wilander, Lendl and tho' past his true prime, Jimmy. Great entertainment.
Mecir = the Baryshnikov of Tennis
Probably so.Anyway Mecir has better groundies than Baryshnikov.
Latest version:
1. Rosewall
2. Connors
3. Laver
4. Budge
5. Edberg
6. Agassi
7. Kuerten
8. Borg
9. Lendl
10. Vilas
11. Rios
12. Becker
13. Lacoste
14. Gasquet
15. Ashe
16. Kovacs
17. Nadal
18. Mancini
19. Mecir
20. Kodes
Latest version:
1. Rosewall
2. Connors
3. Laver
4. Budge
5. Edberg
6. Agassi
7. Kuerten
8. Borg
9. Lendl
10. Vilas
11. Rios
12. Becker
13. Lacoste
14. Gasquet
15. Ashe
16. Kovacs
17. Nadal
18. Mancini
19. Mecir
20. Kodes
Like I said before, safin's and nalbandian's BHs are better than anyone on that list except agassi and connors ( in the open era that is )
I prefer Nalbandian's to both Gasquet's and Nadal's.
Quite a chorus.I prefer Nalbandian's to both Gasquet's and Nadal's.
Latest version:
1. Rosewall
2. Connors
3. Laver
4. Budge
5. Edberg
6. Agassi
7. Kuerten
8. Borg
9. Lendl
10. Vilas
11. Rios
12. Becker
13. Lacoste
14. Ashe
15. Nalbandian
16. Kovacs
17. Mancini
18. Mecir
19. Kodes
20. Gasquet
Rosewall only had a slice, you can't reach number one thee days with just a slice. He can't have the best backhand of all time. Your list is very tilted to players no one has really seen much of
Just a coincidence but I was cleaning up and found this old Tennis Magazine issue from May of 1999 on Pete Sampras. I thought I'd quote some of the article, written by Sally Jenkins. It discussed the time in June of 1994 at Wimbledon when Sampras hit with Laver, Rosewall and Stolle-Stolle noticed Sampras watching Laver with hungry eyes. "Grab a racquet, Pete," Stolle said.
Sampras glanced uncertainly down at his clothing: a gray T-shirt, baggy checkered shorts, a pair of boat shoes, and no socks. "Come on," Stolle urged.
"This is too good," said Sampras. "We're got to hit a few." He pulled a racquet from his bag and strode onto the court. "I'm breaking every rule of the club."
Then it was Rosewall's turn. "Am I allowed?" he asked. "It would be a great privilege." He joined them.
At that moment, a gentlemen executive of the club arrived. He surveyed the scene and the men on the court--Laver, Rosewall, and Stolle in their impeccable whites, and Sampras in his grunge wear.
Dress code or not, Sampras couldn't let this opportunity slip away. "Come on," he said to the official. "Three of the greatest players who ever lived."
The foursome waited to see if the man would make Sampras stop. "Right," he said after a moment, turning his back on the rule-breaker with a carry-on gesture. "I think I'll return to the office."
For half an hour, Sampras rallied almost silently with the three Australian greats. At one point, he hit a running forehand winner. "That'll do," Laver said softly, appreciatively.
When Rosewall struck a twisting backhand slice that stymied Sampras, Stolle coach the youngster: "Get the elbow up, that's it." Sampras then hit a deep rolling backhand.
"This young man learns fast," Stolle said admiringly.
Later Sampras approached the net. Rosewall passed him with a sharp, compact backhand. "Jesus," Sampras said.
On a subsequent Sampras venture to the net, Rosewall sliced a gentle backhand down the alley. "There's my lunch," Sampras said.
I don't doubt it and I have respect for all greats. Nowadays you start with a topspin backhand it's a requirement now and then a slice develops to make you more deadly. No male pro is going to dominate with only slice anymore.
Great read. Thanks.Just a coincidence but I was cleaning up and found this old Tennis Magazine issue from May of 1999 on Pete Sampras. I thought I'd quote some of the article, written by Sally Jenkins. It discussed the time in June of 1994 at Wimbledon when Sampras hit with Laver, Rosewall and Stolle-Stolle noticed Sampras watching Laver with hungry eyes. "Grab a racquet, Pete," Stolle said.
Sampras glanced uncertainly down at his clothing: a gray T-shirt, baggy checkered shorts, a pair of boat shoes, and no socks. "Come on," Stolle urged.
"This is too good," said Sampras. "We're got to hit a few." He pulled a racquet from his bag and strode onto the court. "I'm breaking every rule of the club."
Then it was Rosewall's turn. "Am I allowed?" he asked. "It would be a great privilege." He joined them.
At that moment, a gentlemen executive of the club arrived. He surveyed the scene and the men on the court--Laver, Rosewall, and Stolle in their impeccable whites, and Sampras in his grunge wear.
Dress code or not, Sampras couldn't let this opportunity slip away. "Come on," he said to the official. "Three of the greatest players who ever lived."
The foursome waited to see if the man would make Sampras stop. "Right," he said after a moment, turning his back on the rule-breaker with a carry-on gesture. "I think I'll return to the office."
For half an hour, Sampras rallied almost silently with the three Australian greats. At one point, he hit a running forehand winner. "That'll do," Laver said softly, appreciatively.
When Rosewall struck a twisting backhand slice that stymied Sampras, Stolle coached the youngster: "Get the elbow up, that's it." Sampras then hit a deep rolling backhand.
"This young man learns fast," Stolle said admiringly.
Later Sampras approached the net. Rosewall passed him with a sharp, compact backhand. "Jesus," Sampras said.
On a subsequent Sampras venture to the net, Rosewall sliced a gentle backhand down the alley. "There's my lunch," Sampras said.
I think that, at that time this event took place, Sampras had won only three slams.Just a coincidence but I was cleaning up and found this old Tennis Magazine issue from May of 1999 on Pete Sampras. I thought I'd quote some of the article, written by Sally Jenkins. It discussed the time in June of 1994 at Wimbledon when Sampras hit with Laver, Rosewall and Stolle-Stolle noticed Sampras watching Laver with hungry eyes. "Grab a racquet, Pete," Stolle said.
Sampras glanced uncertainly down at his clothing: a gray T-shirt, baggy checkered shorts, a pair of boat shoes, and no socks. "Come on," Stolle urged.
"This is too good," said Sampras. "We're got to hit a few." He pulled a racquet from his bag and strode onto the court. "I'm breaking every rule of the club."
Then it was Rosewall's turn. "Am I allowed?" he asked. "It would be a great privilege." He joined them.
At that moment, a gentlemen executive of the club arrived. He surveyed the scene and the men on the court--Laver, Rosewall, and Stolle in their impeccable whites, and Sampras in his grunge wear.
Dress code or not, Sampras couldn't let this opportunity slip away. "Come on," he said to the official. "Three of the greatest players who ever lived."
The foursome waited to see if the man would make Sampras stop. "Right," he said after a moment, turning his back on the rule-breaker with a carry-on gesture. "I think I'll return to the office."
For half an hour, Sampras rallied almost silently with the three Australian greats. At one point, he hit a running forehand winner. "That'll do," Laver said softly, appreciatively.
When Rosewall struck a twisting backhand slice that stymied Sampras, Stolle coach the youngster: "Get the elbow up, that's it." Sampras then hit a deep rolling backhand.
"This young man learns fast," Stolle said admiringly.
Later Sampras approached the net. Rosewall passed him with a sharp, compact backhand. "Jesus," Sampras said.
On a subsequent Sampras venture to the net, Rosewall sliced a gentle backhand down the alley. "There's my lunch," Sampras said.
I think that, at that time this event took place, Sampras had won only three slams.
It's just an amazing movie in my mind. It just staggers me in picturing Sampras rushing to the net only to be passed by 60 year old Ken Rosewall and his awesome backhand. I'm sure a lot of people may think that a young Rosewall would never be able to pass Sampras with that ancient backhand of his but we know for a fact that an old Rosewall did several times.
What a picture, Laver, Rosewall, Sampras and Stolle all hitting in 1994. We know now that Sampras was at or near his peak.
Too many say that you gotta have that super-powered 109 mph groundstroke in today's game.It's just an amazing movie in my mind. It just staggers me in picturing Sampras rushing to the net only to be passed by 60 year old Ken Rosewall and his awesome backhand. I'm sure a lot of people may think that a young Rosewall would never be able to pass Sampras with that ancient backhand of his but we know for a fact that an old Rosewall did several times.
Laver said he hated Muscles's backhand because it did not bounce--it skidded and did not come up at all. Rocket said he had "to hit it off my shoelaces."His slice didn't seem to "sit up" very much, it just whizzed by guys it looked like, often just clearing the net. Is that accurate?
Too many say that you gotta have that super-powered 109 mph groundstroke in today's game.
I say it's more about placement: if it's out of reach of your opponent and it's going only 70 mph, then you still win the point.
Sorry I should have been more explicit. I was talking about the current 2010 men's professional tennis game.It depends on what level you are talking about. Everywhere except the men's pro tour and high level juniors a variety of styles win. There are all types of club players from 2.0 -6.0 winning with all types of game.
I agree. Boring S&V short points replaced by boring baseline fests. This is why we need a return to the complete game--use the entire court.Winning titles on the men's pro tour is now an exercise in athleticism, extreme power and extreme topspin with polyester strings on surfaces with truer bounces and more uniforms speeds than ever before. To be honest there has been a lack of the creativity on the men's side since graphite took over in the mid 80's. It's just before it was boring serve fests with the likes of Mark Rosset, Richard Kriajek, Goran and that ilk. Now there are a lot of bring baseline fests.
Against a guy like Sampras, I would not be surprised if he would have figured out ways to get the ball to Sampras' feet on the return, even with a slice backhand, setting up the next couple of shots. His slice didn't seem to "sit up" very much, it just whizzed by guys it looked like, often just clearing the net. Is that accurate?
I noticed that Mancini's name was mentioned a few times in this thread. Does anyone know of any video footage of him (his backhand) that I could watch online or download?
Rosewall only had a slice, you can't reach number one thee days with just a slice. He can't have the best backhand of all time. Your list is very tilted to players no one has really seen much of
If you can put the ball in the court but out of the reach of your opponent, then you win the point. It does not have to be 100+ mph.I also agree ... you do not need to blast the ball past someone to win points. You just need to get it outside the reach of your opponent... blasting the ball past your opponent at warp 10 is just overkill... though it is effective... I am more impressed with a surgical strike... something delicate just out of someone's reach.
Contrary to what some would believe... you cannot out run a well struck tennis ball whether it is a hard slice or a hard topspin shot. And I believe Rosewall also hit a flat backhand, but it has been about 35 years since I saw him play.
If you can put the ball in the court but out of the reach of your opponent, then you win the point. It does not have to be 100+ mph.
The fastest human beings in the world can barely run 20 mph for short distances, so if you can hit the ball at least 25 mph, then no one can outrun it.
Yes you did Ripper. I am agreeing with you, and putting it in a very slightly different way.I think that is what I said....???
Latest version:
1. Connors
2. Rosewall
3. Laver
4. Budge
5. Edberg
6. Agassi
7. Kuerten
8. Borg
9. Lendl
10. Vilas
11. Rios
12. Becker
13. Lacoste
14. Ashe
15. Nalbandian
16. Kovacs
17. Mancini
18. Safin
19. Mecir
20. Kodes
21. Gasquet
22. Haas
23. Nadal
Good list Hoodjem. What made you decide to move Connors up over Rosewall? I think Borg should be over Kuerten because Borg's backhand was more effective overall on all surfaces. I don't think Kuerten's would be quite as good on grass and hard court even though it would still be superb.
It's a great mixture of old names and new names.
Yes, Edberg's and Laver's backhands were two of the best.
Also, Lendl's topspin and Rosewall's slice, skidder backhand.
Glad to see Agassi so high. Did any player in history destroy a low sliced ball to him with his BH like Andre did?
Me too, but I've been overruled on that one.i still say Gasquet backhand is the BEST ever..
Yes. But Laver could do a slice or a huge topspin BH.
He had tremendous variety on his backhand. That's a big reason it's one of the best of all-time.
Later latest version:
1. Connors
2. Rosewall
3. Laver
4. Budge
5. Edberg
6. Agassi
7. Borg
8. Kuerten
9. Lendl
10. Vilas
11. Rios
12. Becker
13. Lacoste
14. Ashe
15. Nalbandian
16. Kovacs
17. Mancini
18. Safin
19. Mecir
20. Kodes
21. Gasquet
22. Haas
23. Nadal