Delve into the USO competition

[Silentchimera]

Connors and Sampras had the best chance to break/set the record imo, winning 6 or more. Jimbo was unlucky to play during the surface change period which was pretty chaotic, and could only compete on his best court from the age of 26. Him winning consecutive titles at the age of 30 and 31 speaks enough about his abilities to deliver on the surface, which btw rewards his playing style more than any other.

I rate Jimbo's consecutive USO titles defeating a much younger Lendl when he was 30 and 31 to be right up there with the greatest major wins in the open era.

 

[Silentchimera]

Yes, testosterone levels decrease, the body becomes more fragile, and stamina is less as you age. So it should be more impressive to win then than when younger but your arguments are that it's less impressive. That doesn't make sense to me. Connors won 2 USOs at 30 and 31, so quite impressive, and he started playing Slams at 18. He wasn't a Becker or Wilander who were winning Slams at 17. He was 21 when he won his 1st. He was a freak though and made a USO SF at 39.

Connors defeated a peak age Lendl twice when he was 30 and 31. Djokovic did not defeat peak ATG's in his 30's to win any of his majors. If Djokovic defeats Sinner or Alcaraz (and later they become an ATG) in a quality match to win a major from now onwards I will consider his victory more impressive than either of Connors victories because of his older age and the fact both of them are major champions at peak age.

The timer is ticking for Alcaraz and Sinner to become ATG's and they need to make hay while the sun shines. Sinner has wasted 2 of his peak years already but he can find comfort that Djokovic did the same. I'm looking forward to seeing what they are capable of!

 

[Silentchimera]

Wawrinka being there but not Federer is extremely weird. Even Murray is debatable, IMO, but I guess it was because of the wind.

It's totally useless if it places 2016 Wawrinka at 2nd place.

 

[NoleFam]

Connors defeated a peak age Lendl twice when he was 30 and 31. Djokovic did not defeat peak ATG's in his 30's to win any of his majors. If Djokovic defeats Sinner or Alcaraz (and later they become an ATG) in a quality match to win a major from now onwards I will consider his victory more impressive than either of Connors victories because of his older age and the fact both of them are major champions at peak age.

The timer is ticking for Alcaraz and Sinner to become ATG's and they need to make hay while the sun shines. Sinner has wasted 2 of his peak years already but he can find comfort that Djokovic did the same. I'm looking forward to seeing what they are capable of!

Lendl had 0 Slams to his name at that time. At the very least, Djokovic defeated Alcaraz when he was the reigning USO champ and the current #1. Anything can be twisted or moved around in some way to fit the narrative we are trying to make. Djokovic defeated Nadal twice when he was 31 in big Slam matches, and once when Nadal was #1 and Djokovic was outside the top 20. That was definitely impressive.

Djokovic will be 37 in 3 months. He doesn't have anything left to prove and definitely doesn't have to defeat Alcaraz or Sinner at this age, when he's 15 and 16 years older.

Sinner was only 6 months older than Federer was when he won his 1st Slam and he's only 22. Between him and Alcaraz, at least one of them will become an ATG so you're statement that Djokovic hasn't defeated an ATG at peak age is premature since you said Sinner wasted 2 peak years already. No one knew Lendl would go on to become an ATG and win 8 Slams when he was 0-4 in finals at the end of 1983.

 

[Phenomenal]

I rate Jimbo's consecutive USO titles defeating a much younger Lendl when he was 30 and 31 to be right up there with the greatest major wins in the open era.

Mcenroe's 3 consecutive win is even more impressive to me. But he lacks title to considered to be the best player.

I still think Connors is the best USO player. How winning on clay/grass could be negative thing for him? Still don't understand the reasoning of it. It's not Connor's fault that tournament played on clay 3 times and 1 grass during earlier years.He reached 4 finals on clay/grass despite being much better on HC. Still 3 of his 5 titles on HC.

 

[MichaelNadal]

If we’re making excuses for Pete not winning more USO then we have to do the same for Federer. Injury cost him at least 1 title in 16 or 17 and he lost 2 consecutive matches holding MPs in the semis.

 

[Neptune]

Not many have any clue about competition strength?

 

[mike danny]

Not many have any clue about competition strength?

No one has any clue about that because it can't be quantified with so many variables in play.