Greatest YE #4?

[BGod]

People talking about Thiem or Zverev ending as worst #4 (Raonic for consideration) but how about the best?

Nominees:

2015 Wawrinka- W, 2 SF, 1 Q at Slams and WTF Semi.

1998 Rafter- USO, 2 Masters

1988 Becker- WTF, Slam F, 3 Masters (2 Bo5)


Interesting thing about Becker's year is he won the most tournaments including another Bo5 Final at WCT against Edberg which was arguably 6th biggest tournament that year. So while he only got a Final at the Slams he did exceptionally well all around while skipping several tournaments that could have got him #3.

 

[TheAverageFedererFan]

Stan the Man IMO.

 

[Devin]

Idk. What about the greatest YE #100?

But if I had to pick, it would be between Stan and Boris.

 

[Red Rick]

Edit - Murray finished 3th in 2012

 

[Red Rick]

Nadal 2012.

1 Grand Slam W.
1 Grand Slam F.
2 Masters 1000 W

 

[timnz]

Nadal 2012.

1 Grand Slam W.
1 Grand Slam F.
2 Masters 1000 W

That's pretty impressive for world number 4.

 

[Red Rick]

That's pretty impressive for world number 4.

Nadal almost finished #5, as he was injured for the latter part of the year, and Ferrer was on an absolute tear apart from being useless against the big 4. Ferrer won the most titles in 2012, with 7.

 

[SinjinCooper]

Borg '81. May or may not still have been the best tennis player in the world, and was certainly still the best slow court player in the world -- when the distinction still meant something.

Mac, Lendl, and Connors packed the top three with ATG's who still gave enough of a damn to play enough tournaments to relegate Borg to #4.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Going with Rafter here IMO. Think he did a bit better than the rest. He ended 1997 at No. 2 so a bit surprising Rios ended 1998 ahead of him along with Corretja considering his results overall (Majors and Super 9) were more impressive.

 

[helterskelter]

Wilander 1983: won the Australian Open, runner-up at Roland Garros, won eight other titles.

 

[helterskelter]

Wilander 1983.

 

[r2473]

Idk. What about the greatest YE #100?.

Tomic

 

[BGod]

Completely forgot about 81 Borg. Basically did the most a #4 really could.

He skipped all but 2 Masters level tournaments losing both in opening rounds. Didn't play either tour final events. But won 19 of 21 matches at the Slams.

Not entirely sure that's better than 88 Boris though.

1983 Wilander is worthy consideration but that MC run was really weak draw.

 

[True Fanerer]

Close one here between Pat and Stanimal. Give it to Wawa narrowly. What was Murray's best year at #4 ? Several to choose from

 

[Jonas78]

I think the highest points is Murray 2011. He won 5 titles including 2 Masters and reached SF in all four slams (and final at AO). And 2011 was a pretty strong year.

 

[underground]

Rafa 2012 takes it I think as the posters above mentioned.

 

[NatF]

No one for Thiem 2017?

 

[buscemi]

Two that haven't been mentioned:

Arthur Ashe (1975): Won Wimbledon, beating Borg and Connors in the QF/F. Won the WCT Finals, beating Borg in the finals. 8 titles. 1-0 against #1 Connors. 1-1 against #2 Vilas. 4-3 against #3 Borg. Arguably the best player of 1975.

Michael Stich (1991): Won Wimbledon, beating Courier/peak Edberg/peak Becker in QF/SF/F. Won titles on grass (Wimbledon), clay (Stuttgart Outdoors), hard (Schenectady), and carpet (Vienna). 2-2 against #1 Edberg. 3-2 against #2 Courier. 1-1 against #3 Becker.​

Out of everyone mentioned on this thread, I think I'd go with Ashe in 1975. Major title, WCT Finals title, great record against the top 3, and was probably the actual best player of the year.

 

[buscemi]

Two that haven't been mentioned:

Arthur Ashe (1975): Won Wimbledon, beating Borg and Connors in the QF/F. Won the WCT Finals, beating Borg in the finals. 8 titles. 1-0 against #1 Connors. 1-1 against #2 Vilas. 4-3 against #3 Borg. Arguably the best player of 1975.

Michael Stich (1991): Won Wimbledon, beating Courier/peak Edberg/peak Becker in QF/SF/F. Won titles on grass (Wimbledon), clay (Stuttgart Outdoors), hard (Schenectady), and carpet (Vienna). 2-2 against #1 Edberg. 3-2 against #2 Courier. 1-1 against #3 Becker.​

Out of everyone mentioned on this thread, I think I'd go with Ashe in 1975. Major title, WCT title, great record against the top 3, and was probably the actual best player of the year.

 

[NatF]

Two that haven't been mentioned:

Arthur Ashe (1975): Won Wimbledon, beating Borg and Connors in the QF/F. Won the WCT Finals, beating Borg in the finals. 8 titles. 1-0 against #1 Connors. 1-1 against #2 Vilas. 4-3 against #3 Borg. Arguably the best player of 1975.

Michael Stich (1991): Won Wimbledon, beating Courier/peak Edberg/peak Becker in QF/SF/F. Won titles on grass (Wimbledon), clay (Stuttgart Outdoors), hard (Schenectady), and carpet (Vienna). 2-2 against #1 Edberg. 3-2 against #2 Courier. 1-1 against #3 Becker.​

Out of everyone mentioned on this thread, I think I'd go with Ashe in 1975. Major title, WCT Finals title, great record against the top 3, and was probably the actual best player of the year.

Ashe deserves YE #1 that year for his achievements, Connors was probably the day in day out best player though.