Just reflecting on the times where the end of year men's number 1 ranking (in popular opinion - not necessarily the official rankings) came down to one match.
These are the ones I would suggest
1982 Lendl vs Connors US Open final. If Lendl had won that match he would have been overwhelmingly the favourite for the number 1 ranking for 1982. He would have won the US Open, the Masters and the WCT finals. And had an unbeaten record against McEnroe. He would have won 16 tournaments. He would have been the undisputed number 1. Connors and McEnroe wouldn't have even been close.
1989 Lendl vs Becker US Open final. Lendl was the 1989 year end number 1 according to the ATP. However, most people thought of Becker as the number 1 for the year. If Lendl had won that match he would have been the undisputed number one as he did better than Becker in other areas throughout the year.
1946 Budge vs Riggs US Pro final. If Budge had won it - he would have just got the nod for number 1 for the year.
These are the ones I would suggest
1982 Lendl vs Connors US Open final. If Lendl had won that match he would have been overwhelmingly the favourite for the number 1 ranking for 1982. He would have won the US Open, the Masters and the WCT finals. And had an unbeaten record against McEnroe. He would have won 16 tournaments. He would have been the undisputed number 1. Connors and McEnroe wouldn't have even been close.
1989 Lendl vs Becker US Open final. Lendl was the 1989 year end number 1 according to the ATP. However, most people thought of Becker as the number 1 for the year. If Lendl had won that match he would have been the undisputed number one as he did better than Becker in other areas throughout the year.
1946 Budge vs Riggs US Pro final. If Budge had won it - he would have just got the nod for number 1 for the year.
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