Toughest Slam Draw Ever?

tacou

G.O.A.T.
In my opinion, Federer and Nadal both have the opportunity to do something very special. Lots of presumptions go into this, but if they meet in the QF and the winner goes on to defeat Murray and Djokovic for the title...that's got to be the most impressive second week of a slam ever? And possibly the toughest draw in major history?

The idea of seeing Fed/Nadal playing 3 classic matches in a row is exciting. Can you think of a grand slam run featuring a more star-studded draw?
 

mandy01

G.O.A.T.
In my opinion, Federer and Nadal both have the opportunity to do something very special. Lots of presumptions go into this, but if they meet in the QF and the winner goes on to defeat Murray and Djokovic for the title...that's got to be the most impressive second week of a slam ever? And possibly the toughest draw in major history?

The idea of seeing Fed/Nadal playing 3 classic matches in a row is exciting. Can you think of a grand slam run featuring a more star-studded draw?

Incorrect. Fed has no opportunity whatsoever to do anything special at Wimbledon. If he makes the QF, that itself is big. What a nightmare.
 

wy2sl0

Hall of Fame
Well I am not a Nadal fan but I am a tennis fan and for that I am ridiculously excited to see some great tennis.
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
Incorrect. Fed has no opportunity whatsoever to do anything special at Wimbledon. If he makes the QF, that itself is big. What a nightmare.

I don't think Fed could do it either and to be honest it's a big ask for Nadal as well.

But objectively, has any player won a major facing a comparable draw?
 

Fiji

Legend
I just hope whoever gets to the final hasn't had to play a string of 5 setters making it totally onesided.

That will happen. Djokovic will get a tired Murray in the final. Similar to AO final this year. Thanks ITF.

They are really desperate for Djokovic to break Federer's slam record.
 

sbengte

G.O.A.T.
Nadal has never won a slam when he has had to play Murray and Djoker back to back. This is his best opportunity to do it.
 

buscemi

Hall of Fame
In my opinion, Federer and Nadal both have the opportunity to do something very special. Lots of presumptions go into this, but if they meet in the QF and the winner goes on to defeat Murray and Djokovic for the title...that's got to be the most impressive second week of a slam ever? And possibly the toughest draw in major history?

The idea of seeing Fed/Nadal playing 3 classic matches in a row is exciting. Can you think of a grand slam run featuring a more star-studded draw?

If Federer or Nadal were to win over Federer/Nadal, Murray, and Djokovic, that would be pretty impressive. But I'm not sure that it would top Michael Stich's QF/SF/F wins in 1991.

In the QF, he beat #4 Jim Courier, who was coming off of wining the French Open. Courier wasn't the world's greatest grass court player, but he was competent enough on the surface, making the finals in 1993.

In the SF, he beat #1 Stefan Edberg, the defending Wimbledon champion, who also won in 1988 and made the finals in 1989, losing to Becker. Edberg was 25-1 in his last 26 matches at Wimbledon coming into that encounter and had swept through Queen's Club and his first 5 matches at Wimbledon without dropping a set. This was arguably the Swede's best form of his career as he was in the middle of his second year at #1 and would go on to cruise to the U.S. Open title later in the summer.

In the F, he beat #2 Boris Becker, who would become #1 after the tournament. Becker was also arguably in the best form of his career in 1991. It was the only year in which he held the #1 ranking (in January-February and July-September). Becker had lost to Edberg in the 1990 and 1988 finals and won in 1989 (and in 1985 and 1986) and was 25-2 in his last 27 matches at Wimbledon coming into the match against Stich.

Again, Federer of Nadal winning this year would be extremely impressive. But Stich beating Edberg and Becker at their arguable peaks at Wimbledon in back to back matches would be tough to beat.
 

zam88

Professional
I just hope whoever gets to the final hasn't had to play a string of 5 setters making it totally onesided.

It's a definitely possibility.

Djoker should be licking his chops.

it's going to take some rosol-ian upsets for the player on the other side of his net in the finals to not have a significant amount of additional court time.
 

sbengte

G.O.A.T.
In the SF, he beat #1 Stefan Edberg, the defending Wimbledon champion, who also won in 1988 and made the finals in 1989, losing to Becker. Edberg was 25-1 in his last 26 matches at Wimbledon coming into that encounter and had swept through Queen's Club and his first 5 matches at Wimbledon without dropping a set. This was arguably the Swede's best form of his career as he was in the middle of his second year at #1 and would go on to cruise to the U.S. Open title later in the summer.

In the F, he beat #2 Boris Becker, who would become #1 after the tournament. Becker was also arguably in the best form of his career in 1991. It was the only year in which he held the #1 ranking (in January-February and July-September). Becker had lost to Edberg in the 1990 and 1988 finals and won in 1989 (and in 1985 and 1986) and was 25-2 in his last 27 matches at Wimbledon coming into the match against Stich.

I was so mad at Stich after that semifinal :evil: Thankfully, he beat Becker and went on to win the whole thing, or else it would have been even worse.
 

Wilander Fan

Hall of Fame
If Federer or Nadal were to win over Federer/Nadal, Murray, and Djokovic, that would be pretty impressive. But I'm not sure that it would top Michael Stich's QF/SF/F wins in 1991.

In the QF, he beat #4 Jim Courier, who was coming off of wining the French Open. Courier wasn't the world's greatest grass court player, but he was competent enough on the surface, making the finals in 1993.

In the SF, he beat #1 Stefan Edberg, the defending Wimbledon champion, who also won in 1988 and made the finals in 1989, losing to Becker. Edberg was 25-1 in his last 26 matches at Wimbledon coming into that encounter and had swept through Queen's Club and his first 5 matches at Wimbledon without dropping a set. This was arguably the Swede's best form of his career as he was in the middle of his second year at #1 and would go on to cruise to the U.S. Open title later in the summer.

In the F, he beat #2 Boris Becker, who would become #1 after the tournament. Becker was also arguably in the best form of his career in 1991. It was the only year in which he held the #1 ranking (in January-February and July-September). Becker had lost to Edberg in the 1990 and 1988 finals and won in 1989 (and in 1985 and 1986) and was 25-2 in his last 27 matches at Wimbledon coming into the match against Stich.

Again, Federer of Nadal winning this year would be extremely impressive. But Stich beating Edberg and Becker at their arguable peaks at Wimbledon in back to back matches would be tough to beat.

Stich is really underrated and was unlucky to peak at the same time as Becker and Edberg.
 

jersey34tennis

Professional
one of the times guga won the french he went through 3 french open champions and a finalist . that's got to be a rough draw to win

R128 Slava Dosedel (CZE) 73 W 6-0, 7-5, 6-1 Stats
R64 Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) 23 W 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 Stats
R32 Thomas Muster (AUT) 5 W 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 Stats
R16 Andrei Medvedev (UKR) 20 W 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 Stats
Q Yevgeny Kafelnikov (RUS) 3 W 6-2, 5-7, 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 Stats
S Filip Dewulf (BEL) 122 W 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) Stats
W Sergi Bruguera (ESP)

and in 01 again with 2 french open champs and corretja and coria aren't slouches either on clay
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R128 Guillermo Coria (ARG) 25 W 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 Stats
R64 Agustin Calleri (ARG) 74 W 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Stats
R32 Karim Alami (MAR) 109 W 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 6-2 Stats
R16 Michael Russell (USA) 122 W 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-1 Stats
Q Yevgeny Kafelnikov (RUS) 7 W 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 Stats
S Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 4 W 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 Stats
W Alex Corretja (ESP)
 

jersey34tennis

Professional
and goran in 01 had it pretty bad with roddick rusedski henman and rafter. he delt with roddicks atomic righty serve, rusedskis lefty atomic serve, then went through safins power baseline game. then had to play henman and rafter with their grass court skills.
R128 Fredrik Jonsson (SWE) 197 W 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Stats
R64 Carlos Moya (ESP) 22 W 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Stats
R32 Andy Roddick (USA) 33 W 7-6(5), 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Stats
R16 Greg Rusedski (GBR) 40 W 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4 Stats
Q Marat Safin (RUS) 3 W 7-6(2), 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3) Stats
S Tim Henman (GBR) 11 W 7-5, 6-7(6), 0-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 Stats
W Patrick Rafter (AUS) 10 W 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7
 

dudeski

Hall of Fame
In my opinion, Federer and Nadal both have the opportunity to do something very special. Lots of presumptions go into this, but if they meet in the QF and the winner goes on to defeat Murray and Djokovic for the title...that's got to be the most impressive second week of a slam ever? And possibly the toughest draw in major history?

The idea of seeing Fed/Nadal playing 3 classic matches in a row is exciting. Can you think of a grand slam run featuring a more star-studded draw?

So basically given that Nadal never actually ends up with tough draws then it must mean that either Federrer, Murray or Djokovic or maybe even all of them will lose before Nadal gets to play them. Well that sucks.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
and goran in 01 had it pretty bad with roddick rusedski henman and rafter. he delt with roddicks atomic righty serve, rusedskis lefty atomic serve, then went through safins power baseline game. then had to play henman and rafter with their grass court skills.
R128 Fredrik Jonsson (SWE) 197 W 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Stats
R64 Carlos Moya (ESP) 22 W 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Stats
R32 Andy Roddick (USA) 33 W 7-6(5), 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Stats
R16 Greg Rusedski (GBR) 40 W 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4 Stats
Q Marat Safin (RUS) 3 W 7-6(2), 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3) Stats
S Tim Henman (GBR) 11 W 7-5, 6-7(6), 0-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 Stats
W Patrick Rafter (AUS) 10 W 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7

It was a tough draw for 30-year old Ivanisevic. Give that draw to 25-year old Federer and he barely loses a set.
 

dudeski

Hall of Fame
If either Nadal or Federer pull it off they get an additional Wimbledon trophy.

Beating 31 year old 5 years past his prime Federer is not exactly the toughest thing in sports. Someone like Tsonga would probably be harder to beat for Nadal this year. Unless of course somehow the grass is still mostly there and the match is all under the roof.
 

Sorana fan

Banned
Beating 31 year old 5 years past his prime Federer is not exactly the toughest thing in sports. Someone like Tsonga would probably be harder to beat for Nadal this year. Unless of course somehow the grass is still mostly there and the match is all under the roof.

If Nadal beats Roger (on his best surface), Murray and Djokovic in a row that would be IMPRESSIVE
 

diggler

Hall of Fame
2001 US Open. Sampras had to beat Rafter, Agassi, Safin and faced Hewitt in the final.

Even though I'm an Aussie, I think Sampras deserved to win the title that year. Maybe Sampras was worn out by the Agassi match. He played a terrible final.
 
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
In my opinion, Federer and Nadal both have the opportunity to do something very special. Lots of presumptions go into this, but if they meet in the QF and the winner goes on to defeat Murray and Djokovic for the title...that's got to be the most impressive second week of a slam ever? And possibly the toughest draw in major history?

The idea of seeing Fed/Nadal playing 3 classic matches in a row is exciting. Can you think of a grand slam run featuring a more star-studded draw?

Bingo. Tennis -- where legendary happens.

For legacy nuts, the prospect for either set of fans for one of them winning this Wimbledon against this sort of likely challenge is MOUTH WATERING.

You just have to love this.
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
If Federer or Nadal were to win over Federer/Nadal, Murray, and Djokovic, that would be pretty impressive. But I'm not sure that it would top Michael Stich's QF/SF/F wins in 1991.

In the QF, he beat #4 Jim Courier, who was coming off of wining the French Open. Courier wasn't the world's greatest grass court player, but he was competent enough on the surface, making the finals in 1993.

In the SF, he beat #1 Stefan Edberg, the defending Wimbledon champion, who also won in 1988 and made the finals in 1989, losing to Becker. Edberg was 25-1 in his last 26 matches at Wimbledon coming into that encounter and had swept through Queen's Club and his first 5 matches at Wimbledon without dropping a set. This was arguably the Swede's best form of his career as he was in the middle of his second year at #1 and would go on to cruise to the U.S. Open title later in the summer.

In the F, he beat #2 Boris Becker, who would become #1 after the tournament. Becker was also arguably in the best form of his career in 1991. It was the only year in which he held the #1 ranking (in January-February and July-September). Becker had lost to Edberg in the 1990 and 1988 finals and won in 1989 (and in 1985 and 1986) and was 25-2 in his last 27 matches at Wimbledon coming into the match against Stich.

Again, Federer of Nadal winning this year would be extremely impressive. But Stich beating Edberg and Becker at their arguable peaks at Wimbledon in back to back matches would be tough to beat.

Good find! I am a big Stich fan and that Wimbledon win was definitely hard earned. I guess we will have to wait to see what type of form the big 4 are in next 2 weeks to compare. Could Michael Stich really be the owner of the uberMajor?
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
2001 US Open. Sampras had to beat Rafter, Agassi, Safin and faced Hewitt in the final.

Even though I'm an Aussie, I think Sampras deserved to win the title that year. Maybe Sampras was worn out by the Agassi match. He played a terrible final.

Sure that's a tough draw but he didn't win. If Fed or Nadal lose in the final to Novak this won't be much of a conversation.
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
and goran in 01 had it pretty bad with roddick rusedski henman and rafter. he delt with roddicks atomic righty serve, rusedskis lefty atomic serve, then went through safins power baseline game. then had to play henman and rafter with their grass court skills.
R128 Fredrik Jonsson (SWE) 197 W 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Stats
R64 Carlos Moya (ESP) 22 W 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Stats
R32 Andy Roddick (USA) 33 W 7-6(5), 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Stats
R16 Greg Rusedski (GBR) 40 W 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4 Stats
Q Marat Safin (RUS) 3 W 7-6(2), 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3) Stats
S Tim Henman (GBR) 11 W 7-5, 6-7(6), 0-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 Stats
W Patrick Rafter (AUS) 10 W 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7

Definitely an interesting, challenging draw for Goran, but I don't think playing world #10 Patrick Rafter in the final is comparable to playing world #1 defending champion Djokovic, much in the same way I think Murray > Henman and Nadal/Fed >>>> Safin on grass.

Goran definitely had some challenging opening rounds, however, which Fedal certainly do not.
 

The_Order

G.O.A.T.
2008 mythical invincible Nadal lost to Ferrero in straight sets in Rome :lol: :oops:

Yes but 2008 mythical invincible Nadal also belted demi god Federer 6-1 6-3 6-0 in RG final and then swept him off his throne like yesterday's trash in Wimbledon 2008...

BTW Nadal had massive blisters in that Ferrero match otherwise it would've been curtains for him.
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
Isner has a kind draw and that would be a nightmare 3rd round for Nadal, but John has not really performed all that well on grass other than Newport.
 
Good find! I am a big Stich fan and that Wimbledon win was definitely hard earned. I guess we will have to wait to see what type of form the big 4 are in next 2 weeks to compare. Could Michael Stich really be the owner of the uberMajor?

I remember watching those matches with Stich. Beforehand I was like... well it going to be Edberg or Becker and I was so looking forward to the two of them being in top form and one winning but Stich was just phenomenal. He simply outplayed them at their peak. It was WOW, who is this guy?... doesn't he know this isn't possible.

apparently not... one of my favorite Wimbledons. Goran's too...

Let's hope we get a great Fedal match... then Murdal or Murderer then a great final with Novak.

Isner is going to make it hard for someone I think. He's beatable of course but it nearly always takes a toll.
 
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ibbi

G.O.A.T.
Yeah, that'd be something, which is why I feel almost sure that Novak will win his second Wimbledon :(
 

buscemi

Hall of Fame
Mac beat Lendl, Connors, Borg to win the 1980 USO.

Wilander beat the #2,3,4, & 5 seeds to win the '82 French.

Wilander's run was quite impressive. He beat #2 Lendl (who lost a 5-set final against Borg in the finals in '81) in the R16, #5 Vitas Gerulaitis (a finalist in '80) in the QF, #4 José Luis Clerc (a semifinalist in '81 and '82) in the SF, and Vilas (the '77 champ) in the F.

That said, world #1 John McEnroe didn't play the French that year, Wilander didn't have to face #1 seed Jimmy Connors, and Bjorn Borg's absence was glaring. In effect, Wilander didn't have to play the 3 best players in the world at the French Open, and Vilas was the only all time great that he played.

As you note, McEnore beat Lendl in the QF, Connors in the SF, and Borg in the F at the '80 U.S. Open. That said, Lendl, the #10 seed, was before his prime. The QF was his 1st trip to a Major QF, and he had only made one previous 4th round. Meanwhile, Connors was in a bit of a slump in the summer of '80, and the U.S. Open was always Borg's Waterloo. Still, Johnny Mac's two 5 set wins over the world #1 and the world #3 were impressive.

Stich, though, would still be my pick. Beating world #1 and world #2 on their best surface at their favorite tournament when they were at the absolute peaks of their games in back-to-back matches is just mind blowing.
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
That said, world #1 John McEnroe didn't play the French that year, Wilander didn't have to face #1 seed Jimmy Connors, and Bjorn Borg's absence was glaring. In effect, Wilander didn't have to play the 3 best players in the world at the French Open, and Vilas was the only all time great that he played.


Do you think Connors & Mac were among the 3 best players on clay in 1982? I don't. Higueras destroyed Connors in the qf's.

Borg's absence was big, but Wilander beat the 2 favorites in the draw in Lendl & Vilas. And Clerc was certainly one of the best claycourters at the time.
 
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tudwell

G.O.A.T.
Yes but 2008 mythical invincible Nadal also belted demi god Federer 6-1 6-3 6-0 in RG final and then swept him off his throne like yesterday's trash in Wimbledon 2008...

BTW Nadal had massive blisters in that Ferrero match otherwise it would've been curtains for him.

Every pro player always has blisters. Just look at how taped up their feet are when they take off their shoes. Nadal's the only one who uses it as an excuse.
 

90's Clay

Banned
Pfttt.

No brainer Sampras 2001 USO draw

Rafter (former USO champ), Safin (Defending USO champ in 2001), Agassi (Former USO champ playing peak tennis that year), Hewitt (Playing peak-like tennis). Back to back to back to back.
 
If Tsonga wins it the same thing goes except his draw is even tougher then fedals. Not going to happen but he got the short end of the draw of the top guys.
 

bullfan

Legend
If Tsonga wins it the same thing goes except his draw is even tougher then fedals. Not going to happen but he got the short end of the draw of the top guys.

Wouldn't Tsonga have to beat Murray and 1 other top guy? Granted Murray will be a huge challenge, but you never know.
 

buscemi

Hall of Fame
Do you think Connors & Mac were among the 3 best players on clay in 1982? I don't. Higueras destroyed Connors in the qf's.

Borg's absence was big, but Wilander beat the 2 favorites in the draw in Lendl & Vilas. And Clerc was certainly one of the best claycourters at the time.

No, they weren't top 3 players on clay, but they were the 2 best players in the world and no slouches on clay, with Connors making 4 SFs and 4 QFs the 8 the 8 times he played Roland Garros from 1979-1987 and McEnroe making the French Open final in 1984 and losing to Wilander in the QF and SF in '83 and '85.
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
Pfttt.

No brainer Sampras 2001 USO draw

Rafter (former USO champ), Safin (Defending USO champ in 2001), Agassi (Former USO champ playing peak tennis that year), Hewitt (Playing peak-like tennis). Back to back to back to back.

No doubt it might be the toughest draw, but he "failed" it. I'd like to see Fed or Nadal win the title with this murderer's row draw. It would be a draw for the ages.
 

dunlop_fort_knox

Professional
In my opinion, Federer and Nadal both have the opportunity to do something very special. Lots of presumptions go into this, but if they meet in the QF and the winner goes on to defeat Murray and Djokovic for the title...that's got to be the most impressive second week of a slam ever? And possibly the toughest draw in major history?

The idea of seeing Fed/Nadal playing 3 classic matches in a row is exciting. Can you think of a grand slam run featuring a more star-studded draw?

if fed did this at 32, well that is unbelievable no?
 
Wouldn't Tsonga have to beat Murray and 1 other top guy? Granted Murray will be a huge challenge, but you never know.


His draw if all goes to form, Goffin, Gulbee, Benny, Cilic, Murray, Fed/Nadal and Djokovic/Delpo. So he won't be winning wimbledon.
 

Crisstti

Legend
Every pro player always has blisters. Just look at how taped up their feet are when they take off their shoes. Nadal's the only one who uses it as an excuse.

Not every pro "always" has blisters.

What do you call "using it as an excuse"?, the TV showing them?.
 
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