DRII
G.O.A.T.
Tennis Channel re-broadcast a 2002 BNP Paribas match between Agassi and Gaston Gaudio today.
Comparing to this years matches of the same tournament, it is clear that the pace was much faster in 2002! I don't know if they have changed the surface over the years or what. But the pace coming off of Agassi's racquet seemed almost extreme compared to this year. Even Guadio, who was not known as a power player, seemed to be hitting the ball faster than anybody this year.
Part of it, I believe, is the fact that tennis has become more of a defensive game nowadays; and I am referring to ground game tennis, not serve and volleying.
The top players are so fast and so good at defense that opponents are more reluctant to go after their shots in a match, until they have an opening. Otherwise they would be giving defensive players the pace they like to feed off of (ala Andy Murray).
We will have to wait and see if offensive ground game tennis will take over again. These cycles usually last about 5 years or so, and with each cycle the game is elevated. Think when Hewitt dominated the game; he had the foot-speed and ball control to neutralize the offense at that time coming from Agassi and Sampras, Safin etc. Then the best players started to match Hewitt's defense yet increase offensive play, Federer for example did this. For a short while Federer's offense was enough to destroy other top players between 2004-2006. But now a new level of defense has taken hold: first from Nadal and now from the likes of Andy Murray and Novak. For the most part, most players in the top ten have this basic level of defense.
I can't wait to see who will bring the new level of offense to the game. One where there will be enough pace coming from his raquet that he will play offensively most of the time. It should be spectacular!
The women's game is somewhat similar, but the differential between power players and others is larger. Only recently have the power of the Williams sisters or Davenport or Pierce been matched, or come close to, ala Henin, Clijsters, Sharapova etc.
............................................................
Avoid this last sentence if it upsets you:
(And in my opinion no woman has matched the power and athleticism of a 'peak' Venus! including the current Venus)
Comparing to this years matches of the same tournament, it is clear that the pace was much faster in 2002! I don't know if they have changed the surface over the years or what. But the pace coming off of Agassi's racquet seemed almost extreme compared to this year. Even Guadio, who was not known as a power player, seemed to be hitting the ball faster than anybody this year.
Part of it, I believe, is the fact that tennis has become more of a defensive game nowadays; and I am referring to ground game tennis, not serve and volleying.
The top players are so fast and so good at defense that opponents are more reluctant to go after their shots in a match, until they have an opening. Otherwise they would be giving defensive players the pace they like to feed off of (ala Andy Murray).
We will have to wait and see if offensive ground game tennis will take over again. These cycles usually last about 5 years or so, and with each cycle the game is elevated. Think when Hewitt dominated the game; he had the foot-speed and ball control to neutralize the offense at that time coming from Agassi and Sampras, Safin etc. Then the best players started to match Hewitt's defense yet increase offensive play, Federer for example did this. For a short while Federer's offense was enough to destroy other top players between 2004-2006. But now a new level of defense has taken hold: first from Nadal and now from the likes of Andy Murray and Novak. For the most part, most players in the top ten have this basic level of defense.
I can't wait to see who will bring the new level of offense to the game. One where there will be enough pace coming from his raquet that he will play offensively most of the time. It should be spectacular!
The women's game is somewhat similar, but the differential between power players and others is larger. Only recently have the power of the Williams sisters or Davenport or Pierce been matched, or come close to, ala Henin, Clijsters, Sharapova etc.
............................................................
Avoid this last sentence if it upsets you:
(And in my opinion no woman has matched the power and athleticism of a 'peak' Venus! including the current Venus)