Becker vs Agassi rivalry coming to a head in 1995

[martinezownsclay]

Even though a lot of their rivalry was one sided their rivalry really came to a head in the second half of 1995. That Wimbledon match where Becker came from behind by playing some shocking tennis to beat Agassi. Then the US Open match which was a really tough affair which took a lot out of Agassi, and might have caused an injury that affected him in the final. The two really developed a strong dislike for each other, and there was the whole Bolleteiri connection with Agassi and Nick breaking up in 1993, then Becker dumping Nick unceremoniously after Wimbledon 95. Nick talks in his book how he was overjoyed at Becker beating Agassi at Wimbledon, but was cheering hardcore for Agassi in their US Open match and being super bitter after Becker still dumped him.

 

[Kralingen]

Becker at USO ‘95 played better than any opponent the Big 3 beat in a US Open win lol

Andre continuously disrespected on here, thanks for giving him (some) props for that epic win.

 

[martinezownsclay]

Becker at USO ‘95 played better than any opponent the Big 3 beat in a US Open win lol

Andre continuously disrespected on here, thanks for giving him (some) props for that epic win.

ITA on all of that.

I also like that the two did not hide their growing disdain for each other, and the even more increased hunger and stakes when they played each as a result. There were quite a few rivalries like that in the mens, and even the womens game, back then. I like those, not everyone being fake nice and fake besties with all their main competitors like the game has become today. Even the Big 3 act like they are all really good friends, which I rather doubt, the only pair that might have some semblance of a friendship is Federer and Nadal, but even there relationship I am sure isn't as great as they try and potray it as.

And when someone today tries to be open about their dislike with certain people or some personal feuds they might have like Kygrios is, or like the Williams sisters early in their career, they are dumped on for it.

 

[martinezownsclay]

Becker is really underrated as a player as well. He was so talented. If it weren't for all his personal problems he probably would have won a lot more. Not neccessarily in the mid 90s as Sampras and Agassi were so strong, and both difficult match ups for him, but definitely before that anyway. I think people would have been shocked if you told them after 86 he would win only 1 more Wimbledon and only 1 US Open.

He had a very complete game. Very strong off the ground, which was problematic for him in a way since it led to his pride/ego meaning he tried to play the top baseliners like Agassi too much off the ground, while if his ground game was weaker like a lot of other big serve and volleyers like Rusedski and Krajieck that temptation would not be there as much. Outstanding serve, which got overshadowed some later by guys like Ivanisevic and Sampras, but when he first came on the scene it was a revolutionary serve. Underrated athleticsm, even if he wasn't the quickest due mainly to how big he was. Terrific at net of course. A true big all court game full of power.

The quality of his 2 slam matches with Agassi in 95 were some of the best.

 

[DamosTennisGear]

Becker's 1995 led to his 1996 which was even more phenomenal!

 

[martinezownsclay]

Becker's 1995 led to his 1996 which was even more phenomenal!

Such a shame about his injury.

 

[dryeagle]

Great battles, Boris battling back from 6-2, 4-1 down at Wimbledon to beat AA in 4; and AA holding off a Boris comeback in the 4th set at US Open. Both were gassed in subsequent finals vs Pete.

AA bailed on another holy war with Boris at Aus 1996 F, so says his book. But Chang was on the rise in 96 whereas AA was on the decline as seen by US Open SF destruction in 96. He may have tanked, but he may not have won either way.

 

[ChrisRF]

Such a shame about his injury.

Yes, he would likely have won Wimbledon that year and maybe even have a shot at another US Open title.

 

[martinezownsclay]

Yes, he would likely have won Wimbledon that year and maybe even have a shot at another US Open title.

He definitely would have had a good shot at Wimbledon. I am trying to remember which part of the draw he was in though.

 

[buscemi]

He definitely would have had a good shot at Wimbledon. I am trying to remember which part of the draw he was in though.

Becker beat Fleurian and Carbonell in the 1R and 2R before retiring w/injury against Godwin in the 3R. The rest of his draw would have been:

4R: Rădulescu​

QF: MaliVai Washington​

SF: Todd Martin​

F: Krajicek​

He was certainly the clear favorite to make the final, and it would have been a hugely interesting match against Krajicek, who was redlining that tournament. Becker would ho on to beat Krajicek later that year in the WTF SF, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3

 

[martinezownsclay]

Becker beat Fleurian and Carbonell in the 1R and 2R before retiring w/injury against Godwin in the 3R. The rest of his draw would have been:

4R: Rădulescu​

QF: MaliVai Washington​

SF: Todd Martin​

F: Krajicek​

He was certainly the clear favorite to make the final, and it would have been a hugely interesting match against Krajicek, who was redlining that tournament. Becker would ho on to beat Krajicek later that year in the WTF SF, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3

Thanks so much for checking what I felt too lazy to do.

Yes he would have made the final for sure with that draw. Martin would be his only possible small threat, but he couldn't even handle the pressure and hold a huge lead against Washington, and isn't a big match player in general, so can't see him ever beating an in form and confident Becker. Krajiceck in the final he would have atleast a 50-50 shot. It is hard for a player like Krajicek to come up with 3 huge wins which is now what he would be required to do (already beating Sampras, and former Wimbledon winner Stich coming off a French final on his worst surface). Very good shot of another Wimby, thanks to Richard taking out Sampras for him.

 

[dryeagle]

Krajicek at 96 Wimbledon would have been a tough one for Boris. He played flawless losing only one set in that fortnight and rolled Pete in straights.

Plus there was a streaker at final that year. Boris would have likely been distracted and he has been known to think with the wrong head at times.

 

[JasonZ]

Krajicek at 96 Wimbledon would have been a tough one for Boris. He played flawless losing only one set in that fortnight and rolled Pete in straights.

Plus there was a streaker at final that year. Boris would have likely been distracted and he has been known to think with the wrong head at times.

that girl was more interesting than the final itself.

 

[Mustard]

Such a shame about his injury.

He saved his very best tennis for after the injury. Becker's form in Vienna, Stuttgart, Hanover and Munich in late 1996 was ridiculously good, although Vienna was more scrappy and fighting excellence rather than pure tennis excellence.

 

[martinezownsclay]

He saved his very best tennis for after the injury. Becker's form in Vienna, Stuttgart, Hanover and Munich in late 1996 was ridiculously good, although Vienna was more scrappy and fighting excellence rather than pure tennis excellence.

I still remember the 96 YEC final vs Sampras. One of the best tennis matches of all time, and maybe the best match ever on carpet between 2 players.

 

[Mustard]

I still remember the 96 YEC final vs Sampras. One of the best tennis matches of all time, and maybe the best match ever on carpet between 2 players.

It felt huge as well, as big as a major final. Becker had already beaten Sampras in 5 sets in the Super 9 Stuttgart Indoor final, and then won two tiebreak sets to beat Sampras in the round robin of the YEC. Sampras himself admitted that facing Becker in Germany indoors at that time was very daunting, but Sampras managed to win the biggest match of all during that period.

 

[JasonZ]

It felt huge as well, as big as a major final. Becker had already beaten Sampras in 5 sets in the Super 9 Stuttgart Indoor final, and then won two tiebreak sets to beat Sampras in the round robin of the YEC. Sampras himself admitted that facing Becker in Germany indoors at that time was very daunting, but Sampras managed to win the biggest match of all during that period.

yes it was huge, the wtf felt like a 5th slam back then. it still is the 5th biggest tournament, no matter what nadal fans say. but back then, especially here in germany, it was so big, especially when becker played