travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
For me, it’s between Murray and Soderling.
I’m going with Murray.
I’m going with Murray.
Best red clay player to never win the French Open
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travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
39 match wins at RG.
If we're going by toal wins at RG, Ferrer probably takes it with 44.
RaulRamirez
Legend
Good job with this, OP.
Much as I'd like to put my (screen)namesake at the top, I enjoyed seeing him listed.
Oh, I can't decide on this: Orantes came to mind for me, but a lot of good candidates here.
Much as I'd like to put my (screen)namesake at the top, I enjoyed seeing him listed.
Oh, I can't decide on this: Orantes came to mind for me, but a lot of good candidates here.
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
It would have clearly been Federer on this list but the Swedish lizard gave an unforgettable early birthday gift to the Swiss in the 2009 edition of RG.
Until now, Federer pays Soderling an annual bonus for such a feat, by beating the then undefeated Nadal on the Paris clay.
Until now, Federer pays Soderling an annual bonus for such a feat, by beating the then undefeated Nadal on the Paris clay.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
Is still take 39-11 over 44-16.
I get cramps
Semi-Pro
It is astonishing to read on TTW uncounted "praises" for a player as pusillanimous as Marcelo Ríos, who uses his irascibility as a defense mechanism to hide his feeble temperament. Marcelo Ríos has achieved a champion status in which area?
I could translate and transcribe interviews so that TTW members will realize once and for all his braggadocio, fatuity, and out-of-control narcissism.
Even knowing Ríos well, this "tone poem" by the former world No. 1 left me dumbfounded. By the end of the piece of music composed by the TTW's legendary tennis player, there wasn't a single thing or person left that wasn't vilified. Ríos sounds (expletives to the nth degree) like someone in the grip of biting sourness.
Included here are excerpts from two extended online interviews with Ríos, who seems to be experiencing symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome.
Ríos- Chilé is a rough country, and there:
I like to go out for beers with humble people, with poor people, and not with all those careerists, snobs, and great s*bs. [He lies as he breathes. I find it hard to believe how Ríos portrays himself as a good Samaritan, especially if you know his euphemistically named "controversies," as these are the stuff of courts and criminal law.]
I have not been made a member of ITHF, but I don't like gringo stuff. I don't give a **** about the ITHF. [Ríos loves "gringos" and similarly talks about them in an extensive online interview with Corretja and Frana]. [Surprisingly, American TTW posters admire him so much]. However, it is in Sarasota, where Ríos resides.
I lived in South America, where I partied all the time. When I got to Europe, I saw how the European tennis players cared for themselves.
I considered the ATP a pos (he proceeds to say that an American was responsible for this). I thought of Sampras as a m*r*n. Agassi was found four times doping, and the ATP buried the positives. And I, who come from a good school and a traditional family, suddenly discovered this.
Ríos - Grand slams are not a thing for me because spending three weeks in the same place drives me nuts.
Ríos - Do you remember that Safin went to Bollettieri's academy when he was twelve? Safin left the academy as quickly as possible. Bollettieri knows nothing about tennis technique; he's a motivator. Some coaches understand tennis very well; that is not true with Bollettieri. Bollettieri gave me a test at his academy when I was 14 or 15 years old, and he sent me a written report:
"Mr. Marcelo Rios:
You cannot be part of this academy because your forehand, backhand, and serve are bad. All your strokes lack pace, and you move badly on the court".
The last time I saw Bollettieri, I was training (2019) to be the oldest player in history to win an ATP title. I knew I couldn't go to UMAG because if I had to play Thiem in the 1st round, he would humiliate me. No point in showing up at an American tournament when they wouldn't give me a wildcard, but some gringo would get it.
I got to play with Azarenka when I went to her academy to train in 2019. Bollettieri proposed to me as a hitting partner with Azarenka, and I replied, "No, I don't play with women." I agreed to play with Azarenka, but she was late to play with me.
I told her, "Hey, on the men's tour, we apologize if we show up to a hitting session 20 minutes late." She replied, "We don't do that on the women's tour." I'll give it to her; she beat me 7-6.
Before entering the court, I saw Bollettieri. I asked him: "Excuse me, are you Bollettieri?" "Yes," he said. "You look like sh*t, Nick." He didn't recognize me and got angry.
I immensely enjoyed beating Courier, who I disliked very much, 6-0, 6-1 in Singapore. He was no longer the tennis player of his prime, but I could laugh in his face at the end of the match [Ríos doesn't have the guts to laugh at Courier in front of him; Ríos is a compulsive liar]. It was as if I had grabbed him by the b*lls while he told me, "What are you laughing at?".
The one time I elongated, I got hurt.
Ríos is having an extended online conversation with Corretja and Frana. Anything and everything makes Ríos feel uncomfortable.
"My daughter is studying in Madrid, and when I go there, people arouse antipathy in me. They are cold and unfortunate, and there is nothing to do there. Madrid is like the rest of the European capitals.
Corretja: Madrid and the Madrileños seem like that to you! Madrileños are sad and unfriendly! What places have you been to in Madrid?
I could translate and transcribe interviews so that TTW members will realize once and for all his braggadocio, fatuity, and out-of-control narcissism.
Even knowing Ríos well, this "tone poem" by the former world No. 1 left me dumbfounded. By the end of the piece of music composed by the TTW's legendary tennis player, there wasn't a single thing or person left that wasn't vilified. Ríos sounds (expletives to the nth degree) like someone in the grip of biting sourness.
Included here are excerpts from two extended online interviews with Ríos, who seems to be experiencing symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome.
Ríos- Chilé is a rough country, and there:
I like to go out for beers with humble people, with poor people, and not with all those careerists, snobs, and great s*bs. [He lies as he breathes. I find it hard to believe how Ríos portrays himself as a good Samaritan, especially if you know his euphemistically named "controversies," as these are the stuff of courts and criminal law.]
I have not been made a member of ITHF, but I don't like gringo stuff. I don't give a **** about the ITHF. [Ríos loves "gringos" and similarly talks about them in an extensive online interview with Corretja and Frana]. [Surprisingly, American TTW posters admire him so much]. However, it is in Sarasota, where Ríos resides.
I lived in South America, where I partied all the time. When I got to Europe, I saw how the European tennis players cared for themselves.
I considered the ATP a pos (he proceeds to say that an American was responsible for this). I thought of Sampras as a m*r*n. Agassi was found four times doping, and the ATP buried the positives. And I, who come from a good school and a traditional family, suddenly discovered this.
Ríos - Grand slams are not a thing for me because spending three weeks in the same place drives me nuts.
Ríos - Do you remember that Safin went to Bollettieri's academy when he was twelve? Safin left the academy as quickly as possible. Bollettieri knows nothing about tennis technique; he's a motivator. Some coaches understand tennis very well; that is not true with Bollettieri. Bollettieri gave me a test at his academy when I was 14 or 15 years old, and he sent me a written report:
"Mr. Marcelo Rios:
You cannot be part of this academy because your forehand, backhand, and serve are bad. All your strokes lack pace, and you move badly on the court".
The last time I saw Bollettieri, I was training (2019) to be the oldest player in history to win an ATP title. I knew I couldn't go to UMAG because if I had to play Thiem in the 1st round, he would humiliate me. No point in showing up at an American tournament when they wouldn't give me a wildcard, but some gringo would get it.
I got to play with Azarenka when I went to her academy to train in 2019. Bollettieri proposed to me as a hitting partner with Azarenka, and I replied, "No, I don't play with women." I agreed to play with Azarenka, but she was late to play with me.
I told her, "Hey, on the men's tour, we apologize if we show up to a hitting session 20 minutes late." She replied, "We don't do that on the women's tour." I'll give it to her; she beat me 7-6.
Before entering the court, I saw Bollettieri. I asked him: "Excuse me, are you Bollettieri?" "Yes," he said. "You look like sh*t, Nick." He didn't recognize me and got angry.
I immensely enjoyed beating Courier, who I disliked very much, 6-0, 6-1 in Singapore. He was no longer the tennis player of his prime, but I could laugh in his face at the end of the match [Ríos doesn't have the guts to laugh at Courier in front of him; Ríos is a compulsive liar]. It was as if I had grabbed him by the b*lls while he told me, "What are you laughing at?".
The one time I elongated, I got hurt.
Ríos is having an extended online conversation with Corretja and Frana. Anything and everything makes Ríos feel uncomfortable.
"My daughter is studying in Madrid, and when I go there, people arouse antipathy in me. They are cold and unfortunate, and there is nothing to do there. Madrid is like the rest of the European capitals.
Corretja: Madrid and the Madrileños seem like that to you! Madrileños are sad and unfriendly! What places have you been to in Madrid?
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I get cramps
Semi-Pro
Ríos grants the interview to Frana and Corretja, who are saintly folk, as he greatly esteem them.
They endured the constant filthy temper of "one of the most talented players in the history of tennis," the dream opponent for anyone who reaches a grand slam final because of his faint-heartedness.
In fact, and it must be said, Ríos is far more fond of Álex than he is of his diehard fans. During the interview, Ríos proposed to Álex that he travel to Chilé to play an exhibition with him, and Corretja, that spinnymoonmug who was not capable of playing top seeds (see TTW GPPD posters, for the most part), not only accepted instantly but also went to Chilé and played the exho gratis et amore. Ríos speaks highly of him to third parties. And this is commendable, no doubt.
Ríos also states that he and the Spaniards got along very well; this is not entirely true. Frana will note how when Ríos joined the circuit, he did not look at, greet, or deal with any Spanish-speaking tennis players who wanted him not to have a tough adaptation process to the circuit. According to Frana, Marcelo conveyed the impression of being a newcomer to the tour who didn't care about any player.
Ríos: When did we last see each other (addressing Corretja)?
Corretja: We haven't seen each other since Monte Carlo [April '97]. Or was it Rome [May '97]?
You were disproportionally better than me. How is it possible that I beat you? [Corretja leads Rios 4-3 in matches played in terre battue].
You didn't go to the net, dude, your volley was mediocre. I can understand why I didn't win a grand slam, but couldn't you win one yourself?
Ríos: You didn't win a RG?
Corretja: No, I won the Masters in Hannover in '98. And I don't forget that you ditched me going clubbing with my brothers when in your group Sampras went on to play the semis against me.
Rios: Corretja introduced me to a Spanish girl, and my ranking went to s**t. Alex's friend f***d up my career.
They always give me a hard time for not winning a slam, so they picked Ivanišević. But that gringo Hall of Fame doesn't matter to me. I think it's better to have been number 1 in the world (for six weeks) than to win a slam. I won a Grand Slam Cup; that's my grand slam.
The grind killed me. I thought about retiring after reaching the number 1 ranking (at the age of 21). Plus, tennis back then was super dull. Watching Sampras was boring. Apart from the fact that I got along with him very badly, I disliked him very much.
Frana: But who did you get along with?
Ríos: I don't know about the Spaniards. Off the court, I'm all about being direct. And I have had big problems because of my personality. I don't shut up. I will tell you what I think, and if it hurts you, I don't care. Maybe it was due to a shyness problem.
Corretja: But on the court, you knew how to behave.
Ríos: Off the court, I got along well with the Spaniards and the Argentines; I played doubles with Enqvist. But there were doubles players I couldn't stand; they killed me. They played cross-court and you had to wait to play a point...
And that's how Ríos repeats himself, telling his same neuroses over and over again...
They endured the constant filthy temper of "one of the most talented players in the history of tennis," the dream opponent for anyone who reaches a grand slam final because of his faint-heartedness.
In fact, and it must be said, Ríos is far more fond of Álex than he is of his diehard fans. During the interview, Ríos proposed to Álex that he travel to Chilé to play an exhibition with him, and Corretja, that spinnymoonmug who was not capable of playing top seeds (see TTW GPPD posters, for the most part), not only accepted instantly but also went to Chilé and played the exho gratis et amore. Ríos speaks highly of him to third parties. And this is commendable, no doubt.
Ríos also states that he and the Spaniards got along very well; this is not entirely true. Frana will note how when Ríos joined the circuit, he did not look at, greet, or deal with any Spanish-speaking tennis players who wanted him not to have a tough adaptation process to the circuit. According to Frana, Marcelo conveyed the impression of being a newcomer to the tour who didn't care about any player.
Ríos: When did we last see each other (addressing Corretja)?
Corretja: We haven't seen each other since Monte Carlo [April '97]. Or was it Rome [May '97]?
You were disproportionally better than me. How is it possible that I beat you? [Corretja leads Rios 4-3 in matches played in terre battue].
You didn't go to the net, dude, your volley was mediocre. I can understand why I didn't win a grand slam, but couldn't you win one yourself?
Ríos: You didn't win a RG?
Corretja: No, I won the Masters in Hannover in '98. And I don't forget that you ditched me going clubbing with my brothers when in your group Sampras went on to play the semis against me.
Rios: Corretja introduced me to a Spanish girl, and my ranking went to s**t. Alex's friend f***d up my career.
They always give me a hard time for not winning a slam, so they picked Ivanišević. But that gringo Hall of Fame doesn't matter to me. I think it's better to have been number 1 in the world (for six weeks) than to win a slam. I won a Grand Slam Cup; that's my grand slam.
The grind killed me. I thought about retiring after reaching the number 1 ranking (at the age of 21). Plus, tennis back then was super dull. Watching Sampras was boring. Apart from the fact that I got along with him very badly, I disliked him very much.
Frana: But who did you get along with?
Ríos: I don't know about the Spaniards. Off the court, I'm all about being direct. And I have had big problems because of my personality. I don't shut up. I will tell you what I think, and if it hurts you, I don't care. Maybe it was due to a shyness problem.
Corretja: But on the court, you knew how to behave.
Ríos: Off the court, I got along well with the Spaniards and the Argentines; I played doubles with Enqvist. But there were doubles players I couldn't stand; they killed me. They played cross-court and you had to wait to play a point...
And that's how Ríos repeats himself, telling his same neuroses over and over again...
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Justice Underworld
Rookie
Great choices here but the ones that stand out are Murray, Corretja, Orantes and Medvedev.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I assume you are not a fan of Rios.
Looking to add a "best French Open win" for each player.
For example, Medvedev's best French Open win would be straight setting Gustavo Kuerten in the 1999 QF in between Kuerten's 1997/2000/2001 French Open wins and on the heels of Guga winning Monte Carlo and the Italian Open in 1999.
Any thoughts for the best French Open wins by other players on the list?
For example, Medvedev's best French Open win would be straight setting Gustavo Kuerten in the 1999 QF in between Kuerten's 1997/2000/2001 French Open wins and on the heels of Guga winning Monte Carlo and the Italian Open in 1999.
Any thoughts for the best French Open wins by other players on the list?
Tennis And Anime Lover
Rookie
My top 15 Alfabetically
Alcaraz
Clerc
Connors
Coria
Dibbs
Ferrer
Gonzales
Higueras
Okker
Orantes
Ramirez
Ruud
Taroczy
Tsitsipas
Zverev
Pretty much disgard other players, as topic not only goes about good runs at RG/French Open.
Alcaraz
Clerc
Connors
Coria
Dibbs
Ferrer
Gonzales
Higueras
Okker
Orantes
Ramirez
Ruud
Taroczy
Tsitsipas
Zverev
Pretty much disgard other players, as topic not only goes about good runs at RG/French Open.
RS
Bionic Poster
Forgot about Murray.
Notworthy efforts against Wawrinka who is RG champion and a 5 setter vs Djokovic too even though it was a more one sided 5 setter.
What are your thoughts on Medvedev?
-a run to the 1999 French final, beating Kuerten in the QF
-4 Masters Series titles on clay (3 German Opens + Monte Carlo [beating Bruguera in a B05 final just before he won his second French Open])
-two 500 level clay titles w/B05 finals, including beating Bruguera in the Barcelona final just before he won his first French Open title
Tennis And Anime Lover
Rookie
Descend choice also, was one of the few i considered that missed my cut by a hair. Rios too
nolefam_2024
Talk Tennis Guru
Good point. I'll add him.
JoelSandwich
Hall of Fame
Definitely not Thiem or Alcaraz lol
abmk
Bionic Poster
obviously Soderling beating Nadal his best and the best among them all.
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