Greats of All Time and Dominance at Grand Slams

[McEnroeisanartist]

I thought it would be interesting to compare the greatest players of the open era by examining how dominant they were in the grand slams. I have defined their dominance by the average number of sets lost in the last three rounds of each grand slam they won. Below is the average for each player:

Roger Federer 1.31
Pete Sampras 2.07
Bjorn Borg 1.63
John McEnroe 1.71
Jimmy Connors 1.5
Ivan Lendl 1.25
Andre Agassi 2.12
Stefan Edberg 2.5
Mats Wilander 2.14
Boris Becker 1.66
Rafael Nadal 1.2

Interestingly, no player ever lost six sets (or played three consecutive five setters) to win a grand slam. However, Bjorn Borg at the 1974 French Open, John McEnroe at the 1980 US Open and Stefan Edberg at the 1991 US Open lost five sets, which, of course, meant they had to win 2 five setters and 1 four setter.

Every player except Sampras, Wilander, and Becker won at least one grand slam without losing a set in the last three rounds. Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg won 4 grand slams without dropping a set in the last three rounds, which is the record.

The most dominant grand slam in my opinion, Lendl defeating McEnroe, Connors, and Wilander in the 1987 US Open while dropping only one set.

 

[Valdez737]

Nadal Dominance on clay is by far the most profound. He is the best Clay player by such great margin. I think he was only broken once at FO 08.

 

[britbox]

I thought it would be interesting to compare the greatest players of the open era by examining how dominant they were in the grand slams. I have defined their dominance by the average number of sets lost in the last three rounds of each grand slam they won. Below is the average for each player:

Roger Federer 1.31
Pete Sampras 2.07
Bjorn Borg 1.63
John McEnroe 1.71
Jimmy Connors 1.5
Ivan Lendl 1.25
Andre Agassi 2.12
Stefan Edberg 2.5
Mats Wilander 2.14
Boris Becker 1.66
Rafael Nadal 1.2

Interestingly, no player ever lost six sets (or played three consecutive five setters) to win a grand slam. However, Bjorn Borg at the 1974 French Open, John McEnroe at the 1980 US Open and Stefan Edberg at the 1991 US Open lost five sets, which, of course, meant they had to win 2 five setters and 1 four setter.

Every player except Sampras, Wilander, and Becker won at least one grand slam without losing a set in the last three rounds. Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg won 4 grand slams without dropping a set in the last three rounds, which is the record.

The most dominant grand slam in my opinion, Lendl defeating McEnroe, Connors, and Wilander in the 1987 US Open while dropping only one set.

I don't see this as being a true reflection of dominance - depends on the opponent more than anything.

Just a note about Edberg in the 1992 US Open - He won 3 consecutive 5 setters against Kracijek, Lendl and Chang before beating Sampras in the final. I know this doesn't fit with your stats as the final was in 4 but what's impressive is that Stefan was a break down in the fifth in ALL 3 of those matches - and all marquee opponents. Gritty defense of his title!

 

[msunderland71]

When Wilander got that set off Lendl, it was off a bad call. Lendl's forehand was clearly on the line but called wide, gifting Wilander the set.


The most dominant grand slam in my opinion, Lendl defeating McEnroe, Connors, and Wilander in the 1987 US Open while dropping only one set.[/QUOTE]

 

[tennis-hero]

I think you should also factor in the earlier rounds

didn't Borg have to fight wars in the early rounds of wimbledon

i think that would change his average