Peak Play GOATS

Dan L · Jun 20, 2014

kiki said:
Pancho Gonzales

I agree that Lacoste was a bit behind Big Bill until 26 or so.Kramer was very good during the first half of the 50´s, 1950-54; then Hoad,Rosewall,Gonzales and Trabert ( and of course Sedgman) took it over from him.

I think Sedgman hit peak during 1953, as indicated by his drubbing of Gonzales in two major finals.

kiki · Jun 20, 2014

Sedgman played damn well in 1958 and 1959 as well

Dan L · Jun 22, 2014

kiki said:
Sedgman played damn well in 1958 and 1959 as well

Yes, especially in the 1958 Wembley final when he demolished Trabert, and the 1959 Kooyong final when he beat Gonzales in three straight sets.

Absolute genius.

kiki · Jun 22, 2014

I always looked at Sedgman as an athlete, much like Emerson later on, who had a special ability at the volley.Better player than Emerson but not necessarily a great talent, rather a physichal force with lots of speed and athleticism all over the court.Now, I think there is much more to it.

Dan Lobb · Jul 7, 2019

Dan L said:
Yes, especially in the 1958 Wembley final when he demolished Trabert, and the 1959 Kooyong final when he beat Gonzales in three straight sets.

Absolute genius.

Correction, Sedgman played not Kooyong, but Melbourne final against Gonzales in 1959.

thrust · Jul 8, 2019

hoodjem said:
^^^Good list. (I don't know a whole lot about Sedgman's level of play.)

(Fix that no. 8, you cool dude 8).)

I admit I am rather partial to Rosewall, but it baffles me that someone who won so many tournaments for so long, could have such a low level of peak play. I would remind Nat F that Ken was nearly 40 in those 74 Wimbledon and USO matches.

NatF · Jul 8, 2019

thrust said:
I admit I am rather partial to Rosewall, but it baffles me that someone who won so many tournaments for so long, could have such a low level of peak play. I would remind Nat F that Ken was nearly 40 in those 74 Wimbledon and USO matches.

That was Dan's list not mine...

arvind13 · Jul 9, 2019

I don't know about hoad or gonzalez or rosewall. But in the open era, Safin at US Open 2000 final wins hands down. not even peak fed or sampras reached that level that Marat did in that final. This was much higher than Safin's level at 2005 AO

hoodjem · Jul 9, 2019

arvind13 said:
But in the open era, Safin at US Open 2000 final wins hands down. not even peak fed or sampras reached that level that Marat did in that final. This was much higher than Safin's level at 2005 AO

I remember not watching this match--thinking it would be walkover slam win for Sampras (having never heard of Safin at that time).

Later, I heard about the score and winner--saying "who, what, how, what just happened, someone spanked Sampras"?

Dan Lobb · Jul 9, 2019

Dan L said:
I would start with Rosewall's picks for the top four

1) Hoad
2) Gonzales
3) Laver
4) Federer

Here's where it gets tough.

5) Rosewall
Rosewall won some incredible matches at his peak form, notably the 1963 Forest Hills final against Laver, and the 1965 Longwood final against Laver.
Also, the 1962 Kooyong final against Hoad showed him at his best on grass.

6) Budge
7) Vines

Two players who had everything.

eight) Sedgman
Picked by Seixas as #1 when pumped.

9) Sampras
10) Borg
Two guys who were tough at Wimbledon.

Short-listed:

Tilden (difficult to judge someone who matures at twenty-eight years old).
Williams (seemed to have the same edge over Johnston as Tilden did.)
Kramer
Newcombe
Lacoste
Ashe
Connors
McEnroe
Becker

Hmm....Rosewall at five spot.....not bad, that puts Ken high above Newcombe, Kramer, Connors (remember him?), McEnroe, Becker, that's a high rating for a peak performance tournament.

Dan Lobb · Jul 9, 2019

thrust said:
I admit I am rather partial to Rosewall, but it baffles me that someone who won so many tournaments for so long, could have such a low level of peak play. I would remind Nat F that Ken was nearly 40 in those 74 Wimbledon and USO matches.

Did I not give Ken a good high rating at five?

Peak Play GOATS

Dan L

Professional

kiki

Banned

Dan L

Professional

kiki

Banned

Dan Lobb

G.O.A.T.

thrust

Legend

NatF

Bionic Poster

arvind13

Professional

hoodjem

G.O.A.T.

Dan Lobb

G.O.A.T.

Dan Lobb

G.O.A.T.

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