Greatest Competitor in WTA History?

[snoopy]

Even if you don't like his style, it has been a pleasure to watch someone like Nadal give his all in every match he plays. He's certainly one of the greatest, if not the greatest, competitor in the history of men's tennis.

On the other hand, there aren't too many players with fight on today's women's tour. Too often the players look mentally weak and unable to deal with adversity. Who can be considered the best fighters in women's tennis history? I haven't been watching tennis long enough to have a clue.

 

[Patrick_St]

Not to insult any women or anything, but it is pretty well-known that female athletes aren't as mentally strong as male athletes. This is largely because women are typically much more emotional and unable to control their emotions as well. A good example is when you see a women's sports team either lose of win a big game they will all start crying. Look at how Marissa Coleman was sobbing almost uncontrollably at the press conferance after Maryland lost in the Women's NCAA tournament as an example.

I am sure there are some women who are capable of controlling their emotions during their matches better than most women, but none come to my mind right away.

 

[BTURNER]

Evert never stopped fighting emotionally or mentally in her matches, whether big or small. That's how she got the best win/loss ratio in modern tennis history for a full length career, despite not being the best athlete on the tour. I think it was .90 lifetime and that those consistency records in the slams. As for the above post, I am running as fast as I can to keep distance from that notion!

 

[Patrick_St]

I would say Evert as well, just based on her career accomplishments. I never got to watch her play though. It's strange how many people don't even consider her to be the best player in WTA history.

Here is a great example of Evert being mentally tough. This is from the first slam of her career when she was only 16.

"Evert saved six match points with Eisel serving at 6–4, 6–5 (40–0) in the second set before Evert went on to win 4–6, 7–6, 6–1. She made two further comebacks against Durr (2–6, 6–2, 6–3) and Lesley Hunt (4–6, 6–2, 6–3), both seasoned professionals, before losing to Billie Jean King in a semifinal"

Eisel was a four seed.

This is from her Wikipedia page.

 

[Warriorroger]

Seles-Graf-Sanchez Vicario-Evert

 

[bluetrain4]

Seles-Graf-Sanchez Vicario-Evert

Agree wholly with these picks. All of these women were mental giants. Someone like Sanchez was far from as physically talented and her mind got her throught.

 

[Deuce]

Even if you don't like his style, it has been a pleasure to watch someone like Nadal give his all in every match he plays. He's certainly one of the greatest, if not the greatest, competitor in the history of men's tennis.

On the other hand, there aren't too many players with fight on today's women's tour. Too often the players look mentally weak and unable to deal with adversity. Who can be considered the best fighters in women's tennis history? I haven't been watching tennis long enough to have a clue.

Without question, Patty Fendick.
She was usually within the top 30 during her career from the mid 1980s to mid 1990s.
She wasn't the most talented, but had more genuine fight in her than any other player I've seen - male or female - with the possible exception of Connors.

Unfortunately, there are probably only about 5 people on this message board who remember her.
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1563799.html

http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/PlayerBio.asp?PlayerID=60010

 

[jaggy]

I remember Fendick's name but didnt realize her past, good link.

 

[boredone3456]

Seles-Graf-Sanchez Vicario-Evert

I would totally agree with that. In terms of fighting Spirit and never say die attitude these ladies exemplified that by far. I would add Navratilova to, especially in her later years where it was really her spirit and mentality that allowed her to maintain top level tennis against girls who were much younger and stronger than she was. Her competitive drive allowed her to hang with many of her contemporaries in the early 90's.

 

[CEvertFan]

Without question, Patty Fendick.
She was usually within the top 30 during her career from the mid 1980s to mid 1990s.
She wasn't the most talented, but had more genuine fight in her than any other player I've seen - male or female - with the possible exception of Connors.

Unfortunately, there are probably only about 5 people on this message board who remember her.
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1563799.html

http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/PlayerBio.asp?PlayerID=60010

You know I am one of the 5.

I liked Fendick. She had spunk. I enjoyed finding out what she's up to these days. Seems like she's doing well for herself with that head coaching gig.

 

[CEvertFan]

Not to insult any women or anything, but it is pretty well-known that female athletes aren't as mentally strong as male athletes. This is largely because women are typically much more emotional and unable to control their emotions as well. A good example is when you see a women's sports team either lose of win a big game they will all start crying. Look at how Marissa Coleman was sobbing almost uncontrollably at the press conferance after Maryland lost in the Women's NCAA tournament as an example.

I am sure there are some women who are capable of controlling their emotions during their matches better than most women, but none come to my mind right away.

I would have to disagree with your statement. :shock:

 

[Patrick_St]

^ that is fine, but I think you will notice more women athletes sobbing after a win/loss than men athletes. That's not to say there isn't exceptions, and very mentally tough women athletes, such as Evert.

 

[BTURNER]

^ that is fine, but I think you will notice more women athletes sobbing after a win/loss than men athletes. That's not to say there isn't exceptions, and very mentally tough women athletes, such as Evert.

Why is that less appropriate than throwing your racket down in disgust on the bench or near your bags or swearing under your breath or no like so many guys do after their serve is broken? And what difference does it make AFTER the match. Seems that's fine time to let off some steam, through tears or anger. Says nothing about your concentration when the points are being played.

 

[Patrick_St]

You make some good points.

 

[grafselesfan]

1. Monica Seles
2. Steffi Graf
3. Chris Evert
4. Maureen Connoly
5. Billie Jean King
6. Serena Williams
7. Sanchez Vicario
8. Amanda Coetzer
9. Pauline Betz
10. Venus Williams

 

[Tennis Dunce]

Warriorroger is spot-on.

 

[Deuce]

I remember Fendick's name but didnt realize her past, good link.

You know I am one of the 5.

I liked Fendick. She had spunk. I enjoyed finding out what she's up to these days. Seems like she's doing well for herself with that head coaching gig.

^ I'm glad you two remember her.

Why is that less appropriate than throwing your racket down in disgust on the bench or near your bags or swearing under your breath or no like so many guys do after their serve is broken? And what difference does it make AFTER the match. Seems that's fine time to let off some steam, through tears or anger. Says nothing about your concentration when the points are being played.

^ That said, it seems safe to say that when one thinks of players double faulting - or essentially lobbing their serves in in order to avoid double faulting - due to nervousness, we think of female players, without exception.
(Ok - Karol Kucera in that match against Agassi would be the one exception - but that was an isolated incident with him.)

The female players who've had the "yips" (as Mary Carillo likes to call nervous double faults) are rather numerous.

It's at the point where I've been able to quite accurately predict double faults from various female players based on the match situation.

 

[grafselesfan]

Actually come to think of it I really should have included Amanda Coetzer in my list.

 

[NLBwell]

Throughout a career, definitely Evert. She drove people into the dirt willing to hit hundreds of balls (or forever) to win just one point.