Musterrific
Hall of Fame
Sheer beauty, talent, and variety.
My lord, what has become of tennis?
My lord, what has become of tennis?
Very likely.Never saw this one. The 1996 match probably overshadows this one and causes it to be overlooked.
Everything about this match is perfect. Right down to the fact that there is no doubles court and Pete's wearing the GOAT understated 90s Nike kit. It goes without saying that the level of play is unquestionably brilliant.
Pete's playing style on fast hardcourt. It really holds up for entertainment value on repeated viewings.
Sheer beauty, talent, and variety.
My lord, what has become of tennis?
Another exaggeration is that last line. His forehand was a superlative shot but I know a few guys playing today who could trade forehands with him. Saying his forehand is better than anyone playing today by far is a big stretch. His running forehand is yes but not as a standalone shot.
Pete was very, very fast and certainly one of the greatest athletes ever in tennis.That point at 0:37...
Had no idea Sampras was that fast.
I also recommend Stich-Sampras from the year before.
Stich was always a nightmare for Pete.
Pretty special shot by Michael at 02:42.
Only not. Give those same guys you think would have gone shot for shot against Petros' forehand an 85sq frame, no poly, and let's see how their forehand looks then.
The argument isn't that modern players arent extremely good and talented, it's the narrative that given the exact same conditions, modern players would destroy old players. Which is a joke. Heck, send a modern player back in time, and i would love to see how they would do against Bill Tilden given the same gear he was using, same rules and the same surface he was playing on. They would look like fools trying to adapt modern strokes to that situation.Well hand eye coordination is mostly innate and there a few guys in this era who are excellent at that. Racket technology is more advanced though but not so advanced to help less talented players be on par with the better players.
Talking about that era and the Master Cup, I'm surprised that a player like Ivanisevic did not play any final in that tournament, and other players like Chang and Courier, who played a couple of them, did.
I just watched the 2002 US Open final for first time. Compared to 1994-1995 Pete, 2002 Pete had lost a step or two. But damn, his shot-making in that 2002 final against Andre was top level Pete and actually better than his 1994-1995 peak self. He simply overpowered Andre in the baseline rallies. Recommended viewing.
I also enjoy watching fat-and-slow version Pete absolutely demolish Roddick in 2002 US Open quarters. Took the kid to school.
This thread brought a big smile to my face. Pete was the reason i started playing tennis with my friends in the mid 90s. There wasn't a player like him before and there hasn't been anyone like him since he left the scene. I have enjoyed watching the players after him and what they have achieved. But Pete will always occupy the biggest piece of my tennisheart.
The argument isn't that modern players arent extremely good and talented, it's the narrative that given the exact same conditions, modern players would destroy old players. Which is a joke. Heck, send a modern player back in time, and i would love to see how they would do against Bill Tilden given the same gear he was using, same rules and the same surface he was playing on. They would look like fools trying to adapt modern strokes to that situation.
I just watched the 2002 US Open final for first time. Compared to 1994-1995 Pete, 2002 Pete had lost a step or two. But damn, his shot-making in that 2002 final against Andre was top level Pete and actually better than his 1994-1995 peak self. He simply overpowered Andre in the baseline rallies. Recommended viewing.
I also enjoy watching fat-and-slow version Pete absolutely demolish Roddick in 2002 US Open quarters. Took the kid to school.
Pete was very, very fast and certainly one of the greatest athletes ever in tennis.
Just watched the vid of OP. I love the point where Pete is completely off the court beyond the doubles alley after running to his forehand side to rip a DTL dipper pass, and Boris hits the volley that lands near the service T. Pete recovers quickly and explodes back into the court to hit the bh pass winner.Agree. Because he won points with so much efficiency, sometimes his athleticism gets overlooked imo.
He showed freakish athletic abilities in terms of vertical leap, footspeed and explosiveness.
I also recommend Stich-Sampras from the year before.
Stich was always a nightmare for Pete.
Pretty special shot by Michael at 02:42.