1976-85 Which opponents won titles where the Big4 participated?

[KG1965]

It's a while since I have this thread in mind.
In this period I take from the ATP site only the most important sanctioned ATP tournaments as prize money where at least one of these players was present:
- 1976 Connors and Borg
- 1977 Connors and Borg
- 1978 Connors and Borg
- 1979 Borg, McEnroe and Connors
- 1980 Borg, McEnroe and Connors
- 1981 Borg, McEnroe and Connors
- 1982 McEnroe, Lendl and Connors
- 1983 McEnroe, Lendl and Connors
- 1984 McEnroe, Lendl and Connors
- 1985 Lendl and McEnroe
... and try to see which players have managed to win some tournaments.

Precise:
1) I've been putting Mac since 1979 and Lendl since 1982 because the year before the two samples were strong but they were not at level 1 yet.
2) I excluded Borg from 1982 and Connors since 1985 because "over the hill"
3) I exclude matches that were not started or not completed for injuries of big4.

 

[KG1965]

1976

Connors and Borg win 11 big tiles on 15 involving either Connors or Borg or both (Philadelphia, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, WCT Finals, Wimbledon, North Conway, Washington, Indianapolis, Boston, US Open, Wembley).

There are 4 events where the two players participate alone or together and lose:
- Pepsi (Myrtle Beach)
- French Open
- WCT Challenge Cup
- Stockholm

PEPSI
Nastase beats Orantes in the final after winning against Connors in the semifinal. Borg is not there.

FRENCH OPEN
In Paris Panatta surpasses Solomon in final but first beat Borg. Connors does not take part.

WCT CHALLENGE CUP
Nastase also wins the Challenge Cup on Ashe at the 5th, having beaten Borg in the semifinal at the 5th.

STOCKHOLM
Stockholm is the only tournament of the year where Connors and Borg lose both:
Borg is beaten by Gottfried in the quarterfinals, while Connors loses in semifinals v Cox that wins the tournament on Orantes.

Nastase, Panatta, Cox & ... Cox

 

[KG1965]

1977

Connors and Borg win 9 big tiles on 14 involving either Connors or Borg or both (Pepsi, Memphis, Las Vegas, WCT Finals, Wimbledon, , Sydney, Wembley , WCT Challenge Cup 2nd edition, Masters GP).

There are 5 events where the two players participate alone or together and lose:
- US PRO INDOOR
- WCT CHALLENGE CUP
- N.CONWAY
- US OPEN CLAY COURT (INDY)
- US OPEN

PHILADELPHIA
US Pro Indoor is the only tournament of the year where Connors and Borg lose both.
Borg was beaten by Ray Moore in the firts round, while Connors lost in the final against Dick Stockton.

WCT CHALLENGE CUP
Nastase wins the WCT Challenge Cup on Connors. Borg is not there.

NORTH CONWAY
Alexander win Volvo International title, beat Orantes in the final.
Solomon wins against Connors in the quarterfinals. Borg is not there.

INDIANAPOLIS
In the US Open Clay Court Orantes destroyed Connors in final, Borg does not take part.

US OPEN
Vilas beats Connors in final. Borg gets injured.

Stockton, Nastase, Alexander, Orantes, Vilas.

 

[KG1965]

1978

Connors and Borg win 15 big tiles on 19 involving either Connors or Borg or both (Birmingham, Pepsi, Philadelphia, Memphis, Rotterdam, Milan, Tournament of Champions, Rome, French Open, Wimbledon, Washington, Indy, US Open, Sydney, Tokyo)

There are 4 events where the two players participate alone or together and lose:
- LAS VEGAS
- SAN FRANCISCO
- STOCKHOLM
- WCT CHALLENGE CUP

LAS VEGAS
Harold Solomon win Alan King Classic, beat Barazzutti in the final.
Hank Pfister wins against Connors in 2nd round. Borg is not there.

SAN FRANCISCO
Pacific Coast Ch.: Borg was beaten by Pattison, while McEnroe beats in the final against Dick Stockton.
Connors does not take part.

STOCKHOLM
In Sweden McEnroe destroyed Tim Gullikson in final.
John beats Borg in semifinal; Connors does not take part.

WCT CHALLENGE CUP
Bjorn losses by Peter Fleming in semifinal (two ti-break) and Nastase wins the WCT Challenge Cup on Fleming.
Connors does not take part.

Solomon & Nastase

 

[KG1965]

1979

Arrives John McEnroe.

Borg, McEnroe and Connors win 23 big tiles on 26 involving either Borg or McEnroe or Connors or both (Pepsi, Birmingham, Philadelphia, Richmond, Memphis, Rotterdam, Milan,
New Orleans, Tournament of Champions, Monte Carlo, WCT Finals, French Open, Wimbledon, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Canada, US Open, San Francisco, WCT Challenge Cup, Tokyo, Wembley, Stockholm, Masters GP).

There are 3 events where the three players participate alone or together and lose:
- RANCHO MIRAGE
- FOREST HILLS WCT
- LOS ANGELES

RANCHO MIRAGE
The tournament in the desert area of Indian Wells is the only tournament of the year where Borg, McEnroe and Connors and Borg lose both:
Borg is beaten by Manson in the firts round, McEnroe is beaten by Teltscher in the second and Connors loses in quartefinals v Tanner that wins the tournament on Gottfried.

FOREST HILLS WCT
Eddie Dibbs win the WCT Invitational, beat Solomon in the final.
Pecci wins against Mac. Borg and Connors are not there.

LOS ANGELES
In California the John's friend Peter Fleming beats McEnroe 6-4 6-4 in final.
Borg and Connors does not take part.

Tanner, Dibbs, Fleming

 

[KG1965]

1980

Borg, McEnroe and Connors win 20 big titles on 26 involving either Borg or McEnroe or Connors or both (Pepsi, Birmingham, Philadelphia, Richmond, Memphis, Milan, WCT Invitational, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, WCT Finals, French Open, Wimbledon, North Conway, US Open, WCT Challenge Cup, Tokyo, Sydney, Wembley, Stockholm, Masters GP), while to Rancho Mirage Connors reaches the semifinal but the tournament not finished.

There are 3 events where the three players participate alone or together and lose:
- FOREST HILLS WCT
- BOSTON
- WASHINGTON
- CINCINNATI
- SAN FRANCISCO

FOREST HILLS WCT
Gerulaitis win the WCT Tournament of Ch., beat McEnroe in the final.
Connors losses in the 2nd round v Amritraj. Borg is not there.

BOSTON
Clerc beat Connors in quartefinal and Dibbs win the final v Gene Mayer.
Borg and Mac are not there.

WASHINGTON
Portes beats Connors in the 3th; Gottfried win the tournay v Clerc.
Borg and Mac are not there.

CINCINNATI
Francisco Gonzales beat Connors in semifinal and Solomon win the final.
Borg and Mac are not there.

SAN FRANCISCO
Gene Mayer win the Pacific Coast on Teltscher in the final.
Connors losses in the 2nd round v Mayotte.
McEnroe losses in quarterfinal from Kriek. Borg is not there.

Gerulaitis, Solomon, Gene Mayer, Dibbs, Gottfried

 

[KG1965]

....

 

[jaggy]

Mark Cox. I didn't realize he had such a big win. His son was a promising junior I think, not sure if he is still out there.

 

[KG1965]

Early reflections concerning 1976-1980.
100 big tournaments played by Borg, Connors and McEnroe at the top.
In 21 big tournaments played the title was won by an opponent:
- 4 titles by Nastase
- 2 Solomon, Dibbs, McEnroe "not level 1"
- 1 Orantes, Stockton, Cox, Fleming, Gene Mayer, Gerulaitis, Panatta, Vilas, Alexander, Gottfried, Tanner.

1) Only Panatta and Vilas win slam titles.
2) the 4 Nastase's titles are all special events (3 Challenge Cup + 1 Pepsi Boca Raton) !!!!
3) Tanner wins Rancho Mirage 80 with Borg, Mac and Jimbo in seeding !!!
4) Stockton wins to Phila 77 with Borg & Connors in seeding !!
5) Gerulaitis and Mayer wins in 1980 with Mac & Jimbo in seeding !

 

[KG1965]

1981

It's really the last year of Borg while Lendl is already strong but is not yet at Level 1. Connors has declined. Mac dominates.

Borg, McEnroe and Connors win 14 big tiles on 25 involving either Borg or McEnroe or Connors or both (Pepsi, La Quinta, Frankfurt, Brussels, Rotterdam, Milan, WCT Finals, French Open, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, US Open, Los Angeles,Sydney, Wembley), while to Montecarlo Connors reaches the final Vilas but is not finished.

There are 10 events where the three players participate alone or together and lose:

- PHILADELPHIA
- MEMPHIS
- HAMBURG
- FOREST HILLS
- NORTH CONWAY
- CANADA
- SAN FRANCISCO
- STOCKHOLM
- TOKYO
- MASTERS GP

US PRO INDOOR (PHILA)
Tanner win to Phialdelphia, beats Fibak in the final.
Connors losses in quartefinal v Fibak. Mac and Borg are not there.

US NATIONAL INDOOR
Gene Mayer beat Tanner in final. Trey Waltke beats McEnroe in first round.
Borg and Connors are not there.

HAMBURG
Connors loss in final v McNamara.
Mac and Borg are not there.

FOREST HILLS WCT
Eddie Dibbs win the Tournament of Champions, beat Kyrmayr in the final.
Kyrmayr wins against Mac in the 2nd round. Borg and Connors are not there.


NORTH CONWAY
Clerc beat Vilas in final. Higueras beats Jimbo in 3rd round.
Borg and McEnroe are not there.

CANADA
Lendl win the tournament. Connors losses v Waltke in first round. Mac losses v Amritraj in 3rd round. Borg isn't there.

SAN FRANCISCO
Mac and Connors come out in the quarterfinals (Teacher & Scanlon).
Eliot Teltscher win the title.

TOKYO
Connors is absent, Borg is annihilated by Tim Gullikson and Mac loses Vincent Van Patten who also wins the title.

STOCKHOLM
Gene Mayer win v Sandy Mayer in final. Sandy beats Connors in semifinal.

MASTERS GP
Ivan Lendl win at MSG on McEnroe in the final.
Connors losses in round robin. Borg is not there.

Tanner

Gene Mayer

McNamara

Dibbs

Van Patten

Teltscher

Clerc

 

[Waspsting]

Great stuff, KG... a couple of suggestions

1) Maybe you could caption the pictures you often add to your posts, so that we all know who they are

2) I'd be interested to know who of the 'Big 4' won the tournaments in which more than 1 of them were entered in

example... lets say Borg and Connors were both in the field for 10 tournaments in a year. Who did better at these tournaments?

I think this is more important - certainly in present day - than head to head records which are so often cited and which we've all heard so often

 

[KG1965]

Great stuff, KG... a couple of suggestions

1) Maybe you could caption the pictures you often add to your posts, so that we all know who they are

2) I'd be interested to know who of the 'Big 4' won the tournaments in which more than 1 of them were entered in

example... lets say Borg and Connors were both in the field for 10 tournaments in a year. Who did better at these tournaments?

I think this is more important - certainly in present day - than head to head records which are so often cited and which we've all heard so often

Your suggestions are always precious, Waspsting.
In this case I try to modify inserting the name near the photo. As for the other aspect I might be the subject of a new thread but in this thread I wanted put to focus not on the old Big4 but on their opponents that they managed to win big tournaments where some of Big4 were present.
It looks like a thread on Mac, Lendl, Connors and Borg, .... but it's really on Teltscher, Dibbs, Tanner, McNamara and others.
I understand that GOAT, GOAT contenders, ATG, MegaMarvelSuperChampions are more interesting than the lower level players....

 

[KG1965]

1982

Lendl begins to do seriously.

Important Detail: in 1982 the WCT circuit breaks out of the Grand Prix, Lendl dominates but the circuit fails miserably for lack of competition.
I do not consider any WCT tournaments because they are poors.
I only consider Dallas Finals although it is essentially a exhibition between Lendl & Mac.

Lendl, McEnroe and Connors win 14 big tiles on 22 involving either Lendl or McEnroe or Connors or both (Monterrey, Philadelphia, Forest Hills, Frankfurt, Las Vegas, WCT Finals, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, US Open, San Francisco, Tokyo, Sydney, Wembley, Masters GP).

There are 8 events where the three players participate alone or together and lose:


- MEMPHIS
- LA QUINTA
- BRUSSELS
- ROTTERDAM
- MILAN
- MONTECARLO
- FRENCH OPEN
- CANADA

MEMPHIS
Kriek win and beats McEnroe in the final.
Lendl and Connors are not there.

LA QUINTA
Noah win and beats Lendl in the final.
McEnroe and Connors are not there.

BRUSSELS
Gerulaitis beats Connors in semifinal and Wilander in final.
McEnroe retires in quartefinal v Glickstein.

ROTTERDAM
Vilas beats Connors in final.

MILAN
Vilas grants the bis v Connors.

MONTECARLO
Vilas beats Lendl in final.

FRENCH OPEN
Wilander beats Lendl in round 4 and win v Vilas in final.
Higueras destroyed Connors in quartefinals.

CANADA
Connors retires in semifianl v Gerulaitis.
McEnroe loses by Lendl in semifinal.
Gerulaitis beats Lendl in final.

Kriek

Noah

Gerulaitis

Vilas

Wilander

 

[KG1965]

Reflections concerning 1976-1982.
147 big tournaments played by Big4 at the top: Borg, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl.
In 39 big tournaments played the title was won by an opponent:
- 4 Nastase and Vilas
- 3 Dibbs, Gerulaitis, Gene Mayer
- 2 Solomon, Tanner, McEnroe "not level 1" and Lendl "not level 1"
- 1 Orantes, Stockton, Cox, Fleming, Panatta, Alexander, Gottfried, McNamara, Van Patten, Teltscher, Clerc, Kriek, Noah, Wilander.

 

[KG1965]

1983

Lendl, McEnroe and Connors win 13 big tiles on 19 involving either Lendl or McEnroe or Connors or both (Memphis, Philadelphia, Milan, Forest Hills, Las Vegas, WCT Finals, Wimbledon, Canada, US Open, Tokyo, Sydney, Wembley, Masters GP).

There are 6 events where the three players participate alone or together and lose:

- BRUSSELS
- MONTECARLO
- HAMBURG
- FRENCH OPEN
- CINCINNATI
- AO

BRUSSELS
Connors has been eliminated v Curren in 2nd round.
McNamara win the tournament in final v Lendl.

MONTECARLO
Lendl has been eliminated v Giammalva at first round.
Wilander win the tournay on Purcell.

HAMBURG
Lendl has been eliminated v Taroczy.
Noah won the German Open.

FRENCH OPEN
The Big3 are all annihilated: Lendl has been eliminated v Noah, Connors v Vasselin, McEnroe v Wilander.
Noah triumphs against Wilander in final.

CINCINNATI
McEnroe destroys Lendl, Wilander beats Connors.
Wilander won against McEnroe in final.

MELBOURNE
Wilander won AO against McEnroe in semifinal and Lendl in final.

http://www.**************.org/imgb/48250/june-5-1983-noah-wins-roland-garros-as-the-first-frenchman-in-37-years.jpg

McNamara, Noah 1 & 2, Wilander 1 & 2

 

[KG1965]

Reflections concerning 1976-1983.
166 big tournaments played by Big4 at the top: Borg, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl.
In 45 big tournaments played the title was won by an opponent:
- 4 Nastase, Vilas, Wilander
- 3 Dibbs, Gerulaitis, Gene Mayer, Noah
- 2 McNamara, Solomon, Tanner, McEnroe "not level 1" and Lendl "not level 1"
- 1 Orantes, Stockton, Cox, Fleming, Panatta, Alexander, Gottfried, Van Patten, Teltscher, Clerc, Kriek.

 

[KG1965]

1984

Lendl, McEnroe and Connors win 17 big tiles on 20 involving either Lendl or McEnroe or Connors or both (Memphis, Philadelphia, La Quinta, Brussels, Rotterdam, WCT Finals, French Open, Wimbledon, Forest Hills, Canada, US Open, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo, Wembley, Stockholm, Masters GP).

There are 3 events where the three players participate alone or together and lose:

- CINCINNATI
- SYDNEY
- AO

CINCINNATI
McEnroe loses v Amritraj.
Wilander won against Connors in semifinal.
... and won the tournament v Jarryd.

SYDNEY
Jarryd won against Lendl in final.

MELBOURNE
Wilander won AO against Curren in final.
Lendl loses v Curren in round 4.

Wilander & Jarryd

 

[KG1965]

Reflections concerning 1976-1984.
186 big tournaments played by Big4 at the top: Borg, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl.
In 48 big tournaments played the title was won by an opponent:
- 6 Wilander
- 4 Nastase, Vilas
- 3 Dibbs, Gerulaitis, Gene Mayer, Noah
- 2 McNamara, Solomon, Tanner, McEnroe "not level 1" and Lendl "not level 1"
- 1 Orantes, Stockton, Cox, Fleming, Panatta, Alexander, Gottfried, Van Patten, Teltscher, Clerc, Kriek, Jarryd.

 

[KG1965]

1985

The long connors season is over.
Lendl and McEnroe are back, although the american is falling vertically.

Lendl and McEnroe win 16 big tiles on 20 involving either Lendl or McEnroe or both (, Philadelphia,Montecarlo, Milan, Ft. Myers, WCT Finals, Houston, Forest Hills, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Canada, US Open, Sydney, Tokyo, Wembley, Stockholm, Masters GP).

There are 4 events where the three players participate alone or together and lose:

- LIPTON
- FRENCH OPEN
- WIMBLEDON
- AO

LIPTON
Edberg beats Lendl, and triumps Tim Mayotte.

FRENCH OPEN
Wilander beats McEnroe & Lendl ... and wins.

WIMBLEDON
Leconte beats Lendl, Curren destroys McEnroe.
Becker triumps.

AO
McEnroe loses v Zivojinovic, Lendl v Edberg.
Edberg beats in final Wilander.

 

[KG1965]

Reflections concerning 1976-1985.
206 big tournaments played by Big4 at the top: Borg, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl.
In 52 big tournaments played the title was won by an opponent:
- 7 Wilander
- 4 Nastase, Vilas
- 3 Dibbs, Gerulaitis, Gene Mayer, Noah
- 2 McNamara, Solomon, Tanner, McEnroe "not level 1" and Lendl "not level 1"
- 1 Orantes, Stockton, Cox, Fleming, Panatta, Alexander, Gottfried, Van Patten, Teltscher, Clerc, Kriek, Jarryd, Becker, Mayotte, Edberg.

 

[PMChambers]

If this was 2010 it would be a big 5 with Vilas.
Nice work, give me hours of reading. Cheers.

 

[KG1965]

I thought that the work was over but, as often happens, I have come up with other ideas to decipher the period under review.

Wilander is undoubtedly the most aggressive rival. Mats was annoying for Mac, Lendl and Connors.

The career of Nastase post 1975 is finish, in long tournaments Ilie is not competitive because he's not concentrated at the first rounds but in the rich special events is the only true opponent of Borg and Connors in the second part of the 70s.

Vilas is very disappointing. He does not repeat the great triumph of USO 77 until 1982 where he barks some great titles against Connors and Lendl.
But from 1976 to 1981 he does not win a tournament in which Connors or Borg participates.

Of the others, they are more impressed by these 4 titles won:
- Panatta's French 76
- Noah's French 83,
- US Pro Indoor 77 won by Stockton
- Rancho Mirage 79 won by Roscoe Tanner.
In that unique opportunity, the 4 have reached a very high level, ..the "Big4 level".

Dibbs, Solomon, Gerulaitis and Gene Mayer were very ruthless and consistent, but only in some non-slam tournaments, winning some big tournaments, but not having any Big4.

 

[KG1965]

206 big tournaments played by Big4 at the top: Borg, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl.
In 52 big tournaments played the title was won by an opponent: I try to divide the great tournaments into categories.

TITLES OF OPPONENTS

USOPEN 1 win on 10 (Vilas 77) ... 10%
WIMBLEDON 1 win on 10 (Becker 85) ... 10%
FRENCH OPEN 4 win on 9 ....44%
... SLAM 6 win on 29 ....21%

MASTERS GRAND PRIX 1 on 8 ....13%

PHILADELPHIA 2 on 10 ... 20%
MEMPHIS 2 on 8 ... 25%
PALM SPRINGS / RANCHO MIRAGE 2 on 6 ... 33%
LIPTON 1 on 1 ... 100%
L.VEGAS 1 on 7 ... 14%
WCT FINALS (DALLAS) 0 on 9 ...0%
TOKYO 1 on 8 ... 13%
AO 3 on 3 ... 100%
SUPER TOURNAMENTS 12 on 52 .... 23%

ATLANTA 0 1 ... 0%
MONTERREY 0 1 ...0%
BIRMINGHAM 0 3 ...0%
ROTTERDAM 1 5 ...20%
MILAN 1 7 ...14%
FT. MYERS 0 1 ...0%
RICHMOND 0 2 ...0%
BRUSSELS 2 4 ...50%
NEW ORLEANS 0 1 ...0%
FRANKFURT 0 2 ...0%
Other big titles first part of the year 4 on 27 ... 15%

HAMBURG 2 2 ... 100%
M.CARLO 2 6 ...33%
ROME 0 1 ...0%
Other big titles on red clay 4 on 9 ... 44%

HOUSTON 0 1 0%
N.CONWAY 2 4 50%
INDY 1 5 20%
WASHINGTON 1 3 33%
BOSTON 1 2 50%
Others Big titles on har tru 5 on 15 ... 33%

CANADA 2 6 33%
CINCINNATI 3 5 60%
Summer Big titles on hardcourt 5 on 11 ... 45%


WEMBLEY 0 9 0%
STOCKHOLM 3 7 43%
AUS INDOOR 1 8 13%
SAN FRANCISCO 3 6 50%
L.A. 1 3 33%
Winter Big titles 1000 8 on 33 ... 24%


PEPSI 1 6 17%
CHALLENGE CUP 3 6 50%
TOC / WCT INVITATIONAL 3 10 30%
SPECIAL EVENTS 7 on 22 ... 32%

 

[KG1965]

Wimbledon, US Open, Masters Grand Prix, US Pro Indoor, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Milan, WCT Finals, Pepsi, Wembley, Australian indoor: Big4 almost unbeatable.

Big4 had some difficulty in
- har tru tournaments 33% defeats
- Special events 32% defeats

Opponents are very competitive at
- French Open 44% defeats
- others red clay tournaments 50% defeats
- Canada & Cincy 45% defeats

Opponents unbeatables to Melbourne

 

[KG1965]

I try to divide the great tournaments in other categories.

- INDOOR / OPEN
- SURFACES
- CALENDAR (YEAR / 4 SEASONS)

INDOOR / OPEN

OPEN
31 opponents titles on 98 .... 32%
INDOOR
21 opponents titles on 108 .... 19%

 

[KG1965]

SURFACES

GRASS
4 opponents titles on 13 .... 31%

CLAY (RED CLAY + HAR TRU)
17 opponents titles on 49 .... 35%

HC & CARPET
31 opponents titles on 144 .... 22%

 

[KG1965]

Even analyzing "INDOOR / OPEN" and "SURFACES" the results leads to the fact that the only chances for opponents to win big titles was OPEN, especially on the clay.
They were also favorites on grass but not to Wimbledon. To Melbourne.
In indoor tournaments they did not have many possibilities.

 

[KG1965]

The job is not over.

Now split for seasons as per calendar.
1) up to Dallas
2) season on red clay up to W
3) north american summer up to USO
4) until end of season (Masters GP)

1) up to Dallas
16 on 84.. 19%

2) season on red clay up to W
9 on 29.. 31%

3) north american summer up to USO
11 on 35.. 31%

4) until end of season (Masters GP)
16 on 58.. 28%

 

[KG1965]

In the first part of the season where there are no slam tournaments the Big4s were not approachable.

Better after the WCT Finals,
- in no-slam tournaments the opponents are very competitive (especially Wilander)
- in slams are especially competitive with Wilander.

 

[KG1965]

The last part of the research focuses on splitting the entire 1976-85 period into at least 2 periods to see if there are significant differences.

 

[KG1965]

1976-80 v 1981-85

1976-80 21% (21-101)
1981-85 30% (31-105)

3 SLAM (W + USO + RG)
14% (2-14) v 27% (4-15)

MASTERS GP
0% (0-3) v 20% (1-5)

SUPER TOURNAMENTS
12% (3-25) v 33% (9-27)

Others Big titles first part of the year
0% (0-11) v 25% (4-16)

Others Big titles on red clay
0% (0-3) v 67% (4-6)

Others Big titles on har tru
33% (4-12) v 33% (1-3)

Summer others Big titles on hardcourt
50% (1-2) v 44% (4-9)

Winter others Big titles
33% (5-15) v 17% (3-18)

SPECIAL EVENTS
38% (6-16) v 17% (1-6)

 

[KG1965]

1976-80 v 1981-85 Observations

3 SLAM (W + USO + RG)
Big4 opponents in 1981-85 are more equipped for slams, also excluding Australian Opens that are not perceived as major, while at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows the Big4 dominate, in Paris after the retirement of Borg the Big3 remaining are a lot in difficulty.

MASTERS GP
To Madison Square Garden wins only the Big4; the only opponent is the same young Lendl who in 1981 is not yet on the highest potential.

SUPER TOURNAMENTS
Connors and Borg, then Mac, are distant from competitors until 1980.
Since 1981 the distance has shrunk.

Others Big titles first part of the year
Connors and Borg, then Mac are unbeatable by competitors until 1980.
Since 1981 the distance has shrunk.

Others Big titles on red clay
Borg plays little on red clay but does not lose.
After his retirement, the remaining Big have big problems.

Others Big titles on har tru
Opponents are not distant for the whole period.

Summer others Big titles on hardcourt
So many problems with American summer tournaments for Big4

Winter others Big titles
There are some more problems for Connors and Borg than other periods of the year.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Nastase is annoying for Borg and Connors in the years 1977-78.
Then there will be no opponents like Ilie in special events.

1976-80 21% (21-101)
1981-85 30% (31-105)

Overall, Borg, Connors and Mac 1976-80 appear to be more distant from their opponents than McEnroe, Lendl, Connors (and Borg) 1981-85, although in the 1984-85 period the differences are again substantial.
In 1981 Connors was not in shape and Lendl did not replace Borg.
In 1982 the best situation for the Big3 but the opponents are close enough (especially Wilander).

 

[KG1965]

The path is over but no last pass.
I want to integrate the data in my possession with the biggest and richest Special events that were debated in those years and that were not considered by ATP unlike the Pepsi of Boca Raton and the two invitations of the WCT (Challenge Cup and Tournament of Champions):

ECC (ANTWEP) 0-4 0%
CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS (ROSEMONT CHICAGO) 0-5 0%
MOLSON INVITATIONAL (MONTREAL/TORONTO) 1-5 20%
SUN CITY 0-1 0%
SUNTORY CUP (TOKYO) 1-6 17%
NEWPORT BEACH 0-1 0%
HAMPTON INVITATIONAL (MIAMI BEACH) 0-2 0%
HILTON HEAD CLASSIC 0-1 0%
CARACAS 1-1 100%
AKAI GOLDEN CHALLENGE CUP (SYDNEY) 1-1 100%
FRANKFURT 0-1 0%
BROOKLYN (MILAN) 1-3 33%
5-31
The winners opponents are:
- Nastase to Caracas 1976 (Ilie beats Connors in final; Borg lose from Connors in semifinal)
- Gene Mayer to Milan 1980 (Mayer beats McEnroe in semifinal and Gerulaitis in final)
- Gerulaitis to Molson Inv. 1981 (Vitas beats Connors in semif. and McEnroe in final; Mac beats Borg)
- Borg "over the hill" to Tokyo (Suntory Cup 82)
- Borg "over the hill" to Akai 82

summing up 53 big titles won by opponents at 4 Special events = 58
adding 31 big titles to which Big4 = 237 were

57/237 = 24%

Including Special events no-ATP
237 big tournaments played by Big4 at the top: Borg, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl.
In 57 big tournaments played the title was won by an opponent:
- 7 Wilander
- 5 Nastase
- 4 Gene Mayer,Vilas, Gerulaitis
- 3 Dibbs and Noah
- 2 McNamara, Solomon, Tanner, McEnroe "not level 1", Lendl "not level 1" and Borg "over the hill".
- 1 Orantes, Stockton, Cox, Fleming, Panatta, Alexander, Gottfried, Van Patten, Teltscher, Clerc, Kriek, Jarryd, Becker, Mayotte, Edberg.

End of the story.