Historic great exos

[kiki]

Back in the golden era of tennis ( 1970-1995) there were lots of exos, with a lot of money and great TV coverage that spoke volume of how popular tennis was.

But some of these so called unofficial events settled a great tradition and were fan´s favourites.

1990: Gran Slam Cup at Munich
1980´s: Anterp EEC Chamionships, Chicago´s Superchallenge and Forest Hills WCT Invitational
1970: Brooklyn Masters at Milan, Gran Sal cup at Boca Raton and WCT invitationals held in different venues (Vegas,Puerto Rico,Jamaica)

 

[urban]

Its quite difficult for the 1970s and 80s, to separate pro tournaments, which were not called official by the ATP webside, and real exos. The Grand Slam Cup at Munich or the Antwerp Golden Racket were imo no exos, but real strong tournaments with at least 8 participants. Surprisingly, the Pepsi Grand Slam in Florda with often 4 participants, is counted by the ATP webside. Real Exos were imo one night stands, mostly played at the end of the year. Borg, Connors, Lendl and Mac played a lot of these events. For some years, Mac had even an exhibition series in the US over the winter. Some important exos, which put tennis into the media limelight, were the Riordan heavyweight matches at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas.

 

[kiki]

Its quite difficult for the 1970s and 80s, to separate pro tournaments, which were not called official by the ATP webside, and real exos. The Grand Slam Cup at Munich or the Antwerp Golden Racket were imo no exos, but real strong tournaments with at least 8 participants. Surprisingly, the Pepsi Grand Slam in Florda with often 4 participants, is counted by the ATP webside. Real Exos were imo one night stands, mostly played at the end of the year. Borg, Connors, Lendl and Mac played a lot of these events. For some years, Mac had even an exhibition series in the US over the winter. Some important exos, which put tennis into the media limelight, were the Riordan heavyweight matches at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas.

True, your definition is correct.But most of those non official events, which put many people in the stands, were held for 3-4 days or more.They were not one night stands, but neither were recognized as official events."Special events" that is how they were called then...

 

[Nadal_Power]

Forest Hills: WCT Tournament of Champions 1990 :

Cash d. S.Bryan           5-7 6-1 7-5
Seguso d. Baron           6-4 6-2
J.Sanchez d. Volkov       6-2 7-5
Martin d. Wilander        0-6 6-4 7-5
Van Rensburg d. Pate      6-3 7-5
Korda d. Teltscher        7-6(2) 7-6(1)
Jarryd d. Grabb           6-2 6-4
P.McEnroe d. Cherkasov    7-6(6) 7-6(1)

2R:
Lendl d. Cash             6-4 6-1
Connors d. Seguso         6-2 4-6 6-0
Leconte d. J.Sanchez      6-2 6-2
Martin d. Berger          w/o
Krickstein d. Korda       4-6 6-3 6-1
Chesnokov d. Van Rensburg 6-2 4-6 6-2
E.Sanchez d. Jarryd       6-4 6-3
P.McEnroe d. Mayotte      6-4 6-4

QF:
Lendl d. Connors          3-6 7-5 1-0 ret.
Leconte d. Martin         6-0 7-6(7)
Krickstein d. Chesnokov   4-6 3-4 ret.
E.Sanchez d. P.McEnroe    6-3 6-1

SF:
Lendl d. Leconte          6-7(4) 6-3 6-1
Krickstein d. E.Sanchez   6-2 7-6(6)

F:
Lendl d. Krickstein       6-4 6-7(4) 6-3

 

[joe sch]

I would like to see more of these exos.
I enjoyed the Federer vs Sampras challenges of the last five years, and some of the Federer vs Nadal exos, especially the one where they played on the 50/50 half dirt/grass court. This years old school challenge was entertaining especially since it was older champions vs more modern modern champions in both doubles and singles with wood rackets being the handicap for the older players. These matchups were Pete Sampras vs Ivan Lendl and the Bryan brothers vs the Jensen bros. Its also good to see the champions from the 80s and 90s playing some exos this year at different cities. Hope to see more of this action next year with more of the great old champions.

 

[VGP]

How about:

 

[joe sch]

How about:

For sure, bring on some more BOTS !

How about Johhny Mac vs Serena
Atleast then its not about overpowering a WTA player
Or maybe have Mac and Jimbo play the Williams in a exo with switchoff singles and then a set of dubs incase a tiebreaker is needed. Would also be a good show of the best womans dubs team against the pair of former greats. Soo many great exos are possible ...

 

[Nadal_Power]

Another big one.. North Miami Beach 1983 :

1R: 
Gilbert d. Van Patten   6-3 6-3
Walts d. A.Panatta      6-3 6-4
S.Mayer d. C.Campbell   6-3 6-4
Glickstein d. Denton    ?
Fibak d. Nastase        7-6(5) 6-7(12) 7-6(4) 
Krickstein d. Pfister   6-4 7-6(5)
Mayotte d. Purcell      6-3 6-3
Teacher d. Gottfried    7-6(5) 6-1

2R:
Connors d. Gilbert      6-1 6-2
G.Mayer d. Walts        6-2 6-2
Clerc d. S.Mayer        6-3 6-7(2) 6-4
Taroczy d. Glickstein   6-3 6-3
Arias d. Fibak          6-2 7-6(7)
Gomez d. Krickstein     5-7 6-4 6-3
Mayotte d. Scanlon      7-6(1) 7-6(2)
Lendl d. Teacher        3-6 7-6(2) 6-4

QF:
Connors d. G.Mayer      6-4 6-3
Clerc d. Taroczy        1-6 7-6(7) 6-4
Arias d. Gomez          2-6 6-3 6-2
Lendl d. Mayotte        7-5 6-3

SF:
Connors d. Clerc        6-3 6-2 
Lendl d. Arias          6-3 6-4

F:
Connors def. Lendl      6-3 7-6(8) 6-1

 

[kiki]

Another big one.. North Miami Beach 1983 :

1R: 
Gilbert d. Van Patten   6-3 6-3
Walts d. A.Panatta      6-3 6-4
S.Mayer d. C.Campbell   6-3 6-4
Glickstein d. Denton    ?
Fibak d. Nastase        7-6(5) 6-7(12) 7-6(4) 
Krickstein d. Pfister   6-4 7-6(5)
Mayotte d. Purcell      6-3 6-3
Teacher d. Gottfried    7-6(5) 6-1

2R:
Connors d. Gilbert      6-1 6-2
G.Mayer d. Walts        6-2 6-2
Clerc d. S.Mayer        6-3 6-7(2) 6-4
Taroczy d. Glickstein   6-3 6-3
Arias d. Fibak          6-2 7-6(7)
Gomez d. Krickstein     5-7 6-4 6-3
Mayotte d. Scanlon      7-6(1) 7-6(2)
Lendl d. Teacher        3-6 7-6(2) 6-4

QF:
Connors d. G.Mayer      6-4 6-3
Clerc d. Taroczy        1-6 7-6(7) 6-4
Arias d. Gomez          2-6 6-3 6-2
Lendl d. Mayotte        7-5 6-3

SF:
Connors d. Clerc        6-3 6-2 
Lendl d. Arias          6-3 6-4

F:
Connors def. Lendl      6-3 7-6(8) 6-1

Good one.I remember the Europe vs America exo in the early 80´s as well as the Chicago Cup, with the SF and F played over 5 sets and producing exhilarating tennis.practically, all top players entered those exos and took them damn seriously...

 

[Moose Malloy]

Nadal_Power do you any draw info on this event?

Sounds like quite a match, & one that should be probably be included in the head to head between the two.

June 19, 1989

Despite an outburst that cost him a one-game penalty, John McEnroe edged fellow American Jimmy Connors, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4), Sunday to win the Scottish Grass Court Championship at Edinburgh, Scotland.

Connors was serving with a 30-0 lead at 2-2 in the second set when McEnroe tossed his racket to the ground in frustration. Umpire John Frame warned McEnroe for racket abuse, which led to a foul-mouthed outburst by McEnroe.

The umpire then fined McEnroe a point for an "audible obscenity" and, when the outburst continued, awarded the game to Connors. The next step would have been defaulting McEnroe.

"I think the umpire acted inappropriately (by giving the warning for racket abuse), and I acted inappropriately after that," McEnroe said.

"But I felt like I was in control except for that 10-second spurt. I didn't want the story of the match to be that outburst."

There were no service breaks in the match, McEnroe losing only seven points on his serve in the first set and Connors facing only one break point in the match.

"I played well. I don't think people realized what good tennis there was out there," Connors said. "I'm satisfied with my game, and if I can stay like that and keep my wits about me at Wimbledon I will be happy."

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-06-19/sports/sp-1828_1_john-mcenroe-racket-abuse-rensburg

 

[Nadal_Power]

Great, didnt' know about this tournament. We can try to make draw

1st round :

Jimmy Connors vs Iain Allan 6-0 6-2 (in 38 minutes)
John McEnroe vs Ross Matheson 6-3 6-1

1/4 :

John McEnroe vs Horacio de la Pena 6-3 6-3
Aaron Krickstein vs Brad Gilbert 5-7 4-2 Ret.
Jimmy Connors vs Vitas Geruaitis, 6-2 7-5
Peter Lundgren vs Jacob Hlasek 7-5 7-2 (?)

1/2 :

Jimmy Connors vs Peter Lundgren 6-1 6-1
John McEnroe vs Aaron Krickstein 6-4 6-4

Final :

John McEnroe vs Jimmy Connors 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 1 hour and 52 minutes, no breaks

 

[jrepac]

True, your definition is correct.But most of those non official events, which put many people in the stands, were held for 3-4 days or more.They were not one night stands, but neither were recognized as official events."Special events" that is how they were called then...

Right, some of them ran over weekends actually; it was great to see the top guys go head to head w/out having to wait for them to play thru the draws Aside from Pepsi, I recall Michelob, AT&T, Suntory, Stratton Mt., the event in Long Island (TD Cup?) right before the USO and Forest Hills both as a clay event and later, hard court as GS precursors. Between "official" events, it always seemed like the top guys were off playing in one major city or another.

Now, it seems like Exos are pretty much dead here in the US...

 

[Moose Malloy]

Great, didnt' know about this tournament. We can try to make draw

do you have the draw for 1987 Antwerp? Lendl defeated Mecir in the final I think.

or draws for these events?

1989 Stuttgart F - Lendl d. Mecir 63 46 46 61 64

1980 Frejus, France Invitational F - Connors d. Tanner 60 67 63

1979 Frejus, France Invitational F - McEnroe d. Connors 64 63

thanks

 

[timnz]

Grand Slam Cup

The Grand Slam Cup wasn't an exhibition. It was a proper tournament certified by the ITF. If you look at players title totals on the ATP website you will find that Grand Slam Cup was included in their title list eg Pete Sampras' titles see http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Sa/P/Pete-Sampras.aspx?t=tf

Exhibitions were/are not regarded as titles.

Now at the time (the 1990's) the ATP didn't give points for it - but that was irrelevant - anybody seeing the tournament saw that the players regarded it as a normal tournament and fought hard to win the title. (I saw quite a number of these - and the players play hard out to win) and as the evidence shows (See URL quoted above) the ATP now regard them as legitimate tournaments.

 

[kiki]

Right, some of them ran over weekends actually; it was great to see the top guys go head to head w/out having to wait for them to play thru the draws Aside from Pepsi, I recall Michelob, AT&T, Suntory, Stratton Mt., the event in Long Island (TD Cup?) right before the USO and Forest Hills both as a clay event and later, hard court as GS precursors. Between "official" events, it always seemed like the top guys were off playing in one major city or another.

Now, it seems like Exos are pretty much dead here in the US...

...and why are dead? easy, boy, easy...

 

[Nadal_Power]

do you have the draw for 1987 Antwerp? Lendl defeated Mecir in the final I think.

or draws for these events?

1989 Stuttgart F - Lendl d. Mecir 63 46 46 61 64

1980 Frejus, France Invitational F - Connors d. Tanner 60 67 63

1979 Frejus, France Invitational F - McEnroe d. Connors 64 63

thanks

Of course, Antwerp was greatest

1R:
H.Leconte - J.Arias         4-6 6-3 6-2
T.Mayotte - K.Jones         6-4 6-4
S.Casal - A.Chesnokov       6-3 6-4
W.Fibak - ?
JP.Fleurian - T.Wilkinson   6-1 6-4
M.Jaite - K.Novacek         7-5 6-4
J.Svensson - T.Tulasne      7-6(5) 7-5
A.Jarryd - W.Masur          6-2 6-2

2R:
I.Lendl - H.Leconte         6-4 7-6(4)
T.Mayotte - J.Nystrom       3-6 6-3 6-4
P.Cash - S.Casal            7-6 6-2
W.Fibak - Y.Noah            6-3 6-0
M.Mecir - JP.Fleurian       6-1 6-4
J.McEnroe - M.Jaite         6-4 6-4
M.Wilander - J.Svensson     6-4 3-6 10-8
B.Gilbert - A.Jarryd        6-2 6-3

QF:
I.Lendl - T.Mayotte         6-3 6-3
P.Cash - W.Fibak            4-6 6-3 6-4
M.Mecir - J.McEnroe         7-5 6-4
M.Wilander - B.Gilbert      6-2 6-4

SF:
I.Lendl - P.Cash            6-4 7-6(4)
M.Mecir - M.Wilander        6-1 6-3

F:
I.Lendl - M.Mecir           5-7 6-1 6-4 6-3

I will try to find others too

 

[kiki]

do you have the draw for 1987 Antwerp? Lendl defeated Mecir in the final I think.

or draws for these events?

1989 Stuttgart F - Lendl d. Mecir 63 46 46 61 64

1980 Frejus, France Invitational F - Connors d. Tanner 60 67 63

1979 Frejus, France Invitational F - McEnroe d. Connors 64 63

thanks

Frejus 1979 was part of a mini tour played over charming French Riviera venues ( others were Cap D´Agde and Aix en Provence) joining Mc Enroe,Nastase,Vilas and Connors.I don´t know the results.

It seems Connors enjoyed that, since he came back next year and beat Rosocoe Tanner ( whose game was never too strong on slow european clay).

 

[kiki]

Milam had a big winter exo, where Borg,Gerulaitis,Mc Enroe and Lendl played often.

Another great example of the GOLDEN ERA was the Europe vs America exo in Barcelona.4 european and 4 american players playing a sort of continental Davis Cup

in 1981, Europe had Lendl, Noah,Panatta and Orantes while America gathered Mac,Gerulaitis,Mayer and Vilas

Borg missed it by injury

in 82 the European team was:Lendl.Borg,Wilander and Higueras

America gathered: Mac,Mayer,Gomez and tennis actor Vinnie Van Patten ( who had just won a big event in Tokyo, beating Mc Enroe and Gerulaitis)


Connors missed it, he should have played instead of Van Patten but, I don´t recall why, he squipped it

 

[kiki]

1981 : the Legends Classic posted : Laver,Emmo,Roche,Taylor,Davidson,Stolle,Gimeno and Manuel Santana on a fast indoor court.great tennis and great sportmanship.They were in their mid 40´s, still fit and with fast reflexes.

 

[Nadal_Power]

24-30 November 1986 - AT&T Challenge Atlanta (5 players from year end Top 10)

Group 1 :

Lendl vs Mecir 6-4 6-3
Noah vs Pernfors 6-3 5-7 6-4
Lendl vs Noah 7-6 6-7 6-3
Mecir vs Pernfors 0-6 6-4 7-5
Lendl vs Pernfors 6-1 6-1
Noah vs Mecir 6-4 6-2

Group 2 :

Wilander vs Gilbert 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4
Becker vs McEnroe 6-3 5-7 7-5
Gilbert vs Becker 7-6(2) 4-6 6-3
McEnroe vs Wilander 6-4 6-3
McEnroe vs Gilbert 6-1 6-2
Becker vs Wilander 7-6(4) 6-3


1/2 :

McEnroe vs Lendl 6-4 7-5
Becker vs Noah 6-4 6-3

F :

Becker vs McEnroe 3-6 6-3 7-5

 

[kiki]

24-30 November 1986 - AT&T Challenge Atlanta (5 players from year end Top 10)

Group 1 :

Lendl vs Mecir 6-4 6-3
Noah vs Pernfors 6-3 5-7 6-4
Lendl vs Noah 7-6 6-7 6-3
Mecir vs Pernfors 0-6 6-4 7-5
Lendl vs Pernfors 6-1 6-1
Noah vs Mecir 6-4 6-2

Group 2 :

Wilander vs Gilbert 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4
Becker vs McEnroe 6-3 5-7 7-5
Gilbert vs Becker 7-6(2) 4-6 6-3
McEnroe vs Wilander 6-4 6-3
McEnroe vs Gilbert 6-1 6-2
Becker vs Wilander 7-6(4) 6-3


1/2 :

McEnroe vs Lendl 6-4 7-5
Becker vs Noah 6-4 6-3

F :

Becker vs McEnroe 3-6 6-3 7-5

Love that one.I didn´t recall it, seems that Mc was good enough to beat Lendl even in his by far worst season ever¡¡

remember Michelob 82: Connors b Mc Enroe 6-7,7-5,6-7,7-5,6-4

 

[Nadal_Power]

Love that one.I didn´t recall it, seems that Mc was good enough to beat Lendl even in his by far worst season ever¡¡

remember Michelob 82: Connors b Mc Enroe 6-7,7-5,6-7,7-5,6-4

Ivan had hip problems those weeks but nothing to take away from John's win

In first set they both took one break before John made another one for 5-4 lead, which was enough for set. At the start of the second Ivan broke him in first game, just to be borken in the next one. In 3rd game Ivan made another break in bizzare situation. John was serving and after 0-15 he asked Ivan if he wants next point to be decide by coin toss. Lendl aggreed and won, it was 0-30 and he took next 2 points for love break. McEnroe leveled the score in 8th game and then broke Lendl by love in 12th game for win

Lendl won January edition of this tournament cause it was held twice in 1986.

 

[kiki]

Ivan had hip problems those weeks but nothing to take away from John's win

In first set they both took one break before John made another one for 5-4 lead, which was enough for set. At the start of the second Ivan broke him in first game, just to be borken in the next one. In 3rd game Ivan made another break in bizzare situation. John was serving and after 0-15 he asked Ivan if he wants next point to be decide by coin toss. Lendl aggreed and won, it was 0-30 and he took next 2 points for love break. McEnroe leveled the score in 8th game and then broke Lendl by love in 12th game for win

Lendl won January edition of this tournament cause it was held twice in 1986.

WCT did a great job with Forest Hills, one of the nicest and classiest venues ever.To me, the WCT Tournament of Champions, never seemed like an exo, rather a first class event, and all the big names wanted to play there.Curiously, FH King Jimmy Connors, who won there 3 USO, just competed a couple of times...

 

[Nadal_Power]

WCT did a great job with Forest Hills, one of the nicest and classiest venues ever.To me, the WCT Tournament of Champions, never seemed like an exo, rather a first class event, and all the big names wanted to play there.Curiously, FH King Jimmy Connors, who won there 3 USO, just competed a couple of times...

Well, just 1990. edition was exo

Ivan won many great exo tournaments which were much better than at least half of tournaments we have today

 

[kiki]

Well, just 1990. edition was exo

Ivan won many great exo tournaments which were much better than at least half of tournaments we have today

So true...Borg,Lendl,Connors,Mac,Gerulaitis were exhibition first class matherial and they wouldn´t really care if it was or not an official tournament.Some of their fiercest encounters (Borg vs Connors at 79 Pepsi, Lendl vs Mac at Barcelona 81, Lendl vs Connors at Michelob 83, Borg vs Mac at Milan´79) were top figh competition....

 

[kiki]

Well, just 1990. edition was exo

Ivan won many great exo tournaments which were much better than at least half of tournaments we have today

1981 GOLDEN ERA OF TENNIS...I catch up Lendl vs Gerulaitis playing doggedly at each other´s face a third set in an exhibitional tournament...Lendl wins that third set 10-8...do you imagine NaDal vs Fed EVEN DOING THAT IN A WIMBLEDON FINAL?

And that was just the first match of a 12 match exhibition event...

 

[Nadal_Power]

But then we have problem cause for ATP winning 2 matches at Pepsi Grand Slam (I know how good field was) is official and allmighty Antwerp is not, and I don't think that tournament could have been stronger!!

What was the name of that tournament Ivan and Vitas played, I would love to search for some results of it?


Another great one, with I'm sure great final between titan rivals

Toronto Molson Light Challenge (Feb. 1982) :

Group A :
McNamara def Connors 6/3 3/6 6/4
Lendl def Teltscher 6/3 6/2
Lendl def Connors 6/4 6/3
McNamara def Teltscher 6/7 6/4 6/1
Lendl def McNamara 6/4 6/4
Connors def Teltscher 6/3 6/2

Group B :
Gerulaitis def A Panatta 6/2 6/3
McEnroe def Tanner 6/3 6/2
Tanner def A Panatta 6/2 7/5
McEnroe def Gerulaitis 7/6 7/5
Gerulaitis def Tanner 7/6 4/6 6/4
McEnroe def A Panatta 6/3 6/2


1/2 :

McEnroe def McNamara 6/2 6/4
Lendl def Gerulaitis 6/2 6/0 (52')

Final :

Lendl def McEnroe 7/5 3/6 7/6(6)7/5

 

[kiki]

But then we have problem cause for ATP winning 2 matches at Pepsi Grand Slam (I know how good field was) is official and allmighty Antwerp is not, and I don't think that tournament could have been stronger!!

What was the name of that tournament Ivan and Vitas played, I would love to search for some results of it?


Another great one, with I'm sure great final between titan rivals

Toronto Molson Light Challenge (Feb. 1982) :

Group A :
McNamara def Connors 6/3 3/6 6/4
Lendl def Teltscher 6/3 6/2
Lendl def Connors 6/4 6/3
McNamara def Teltscher 6/7 6/4 6/1
Lendl def McNamara 6/4 6/4
Connors def Teltscher 6/3 6/2

Group B :
Gerulaitis def A Panatta 6/2 6/3
McEnroe def Tanner 6/3 6/2
Tanner def A Panatta 6/2 7/5
McEnroe def Gerulaitis 7/6 7/5
Gerulaitis def Tanner 7/6 4/6 6/4
McEnroe def A Panatta 6/3 6/2


1/2 :

McEnroe def McNamara 6/2 6/4
Lendl def Gerulaitis 6/2 6/0 (52')

Final :

Lendl def McEnroe 7/5 3/6 7/6(6)7/5

You are just great in bringing back old memories...of the undisputed golden era...it will always be the golden era of tennis since all those exos - or semiofficial events were called back then-

Right now, in 1982,I remember Borg, Lendl,Mac and Gerulaitis played a few exos in Australia, it was a kind of top players tour by Australia...which were the results?

You can pick up the Lendl vs Gerulaitis match at the Barcelona 1981 Invitational event.Barcelona was the major sporting city in Spain, and it still remains.

 

[Nadal_Power]

You are just great in bringing back old memories...of the undisputed golden era...it will always be the golden era of tennis since all those exos - or semiofficial events were called back then-

Right now, in 1982,I remember Borg, Lendl,Mac and Gerulaitis played a few exos in Australia, it was a kind of top players tour by Australia...which were the results?

You can pick up the Lendl vs Gerulaitis match at the Barcelona 1981 Invitational event.Barcelona was the major sporting city in Spain, and it still remains.

Golden era indeed!!

Montreal :

1/2 :

Connors d. Glicksten 6-2 6-3
Borg d. Lendl 7-6 7-6

Final:
Connors d. Borg 6-4 6-3


Perth :

1/2:
J.McEnroe d. Gerulaitis 6-4 4-6 6-1
Borg d. Lendl 6-4 1-6 6-3

Final:
McEnroe d. Borg 6-1 6-4
3rd place : Lendl vs Gerulaitis 6-3 6-4


Melbourne :

1/2 :

Lendl vs Teltscher 7-5 6-2
Gerulaitis vs Mayer 7-5 6-2

Final :

Lendl vs Gerulaitis 6-2 6-2 7-5 (1 hour and 52 minutes)


Akai Gold Challenge Sydney : (5-7 November)

Ivan Lendl vs John McEnroe 7-5 6-2 1-6 4-6 6-1 (this two played for sure more then 50 matches all in all)
Bjorn Borg vs Vitas Gerulaitis 7-6 6-3 6-2
Bjorn Borg vs Ivan Lendl 6-1 6-4 6-2
Vitas Gerulaitis vs John McEnroe 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-3
Ivan Lendl vs Vitas Gerulaitis 7-5 6-3 6-4 (26 aces for Ivan)
Bjorn Borg vs John McEnroe 3-6 6-4 7-5 6-2 (Borg ranked 256th in the world)

1) Borg 150000$ + golden racquet
2) Lendl 100000$
3) Gerulaitis 75000$ (replaced Connors in the draw.. imagine Lendl, Borg, Connors and McEnroe!!)
4) McEnroe 50000$

Amazing tournament

 

[kiki]

Golden era indeed!!

Montreal :

1/2 :

Connors d. Glicksten 6-2 6-3
Borg d. Lendl 7-6 7-6

Final:
Connors d. Borg 6-4 6-3


Perth :

1/2:
J.McEnroe d. Gerulaitis 6-4 4-6 6-1
Borg d. Lendl 6-4 1-6 6-3

Final:
McEnroe d. Borg 6-1 6-4
3rd place : Lendl vs Gerulaitis 6-3 6-4


Melbourne :

1/2 :

Lendl vs Teltscher 7-5 6-2
Gerulaitis vs Mayer 7-5 6-2

Final :

Lendl vs Gerulaitis 6-2 6-2 7-5 (1 hour and 52 minutes)


Akai Gold Challenge Sydney : (5-7 November)

Ivan Lendl vs John McEnroe 7-5 6-2 1-6 4-6 6-1 (this two played for sure more then 50 matches all in all)
Bjorn Borg vs Vitas Gerulaitis 7-6 6-3 6-2
Bjorn Borg vs Ivan Lendl 6-1 6-4 6-2
Vitas Gerulaitis vs John McEnroe 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-3
Ivan Lendl vs Vitas Gerulaitis 7-5 6-3 6-4 (26 aces for Ivan)
Bjorn Borg vs John McEnroe 3-6 6-4 7-5 6-2 (Borg ranked 256th in the world)

1) Borg 150000$ + golden racquet
2) Lendl 100000$
3) Gerulaitis 75000$ (replaced Connors in the draw.. imagine Lendl, Borg, Connors and McEnroe!!)
4) McEnroe 50000$

Amazing tournament

Good research¡¡¡.I also recall the Frankfurt tournament in 1979, and the Suntory Cup, with Mc,Connors and Nastase leading off the cast.

BTW, senior tour then had Laver,Rosewall,Emerson,Roche...

 

[joe sch]

Here is a great one billed as the match of the century in MSG 1932 and had Vines vs Perry and Lott vs Barnes. That was a great double header and surely one of the best matchups for that decade. Check out the very cool event poster:

http://www.woodtennis.com/kings/msg_1932_vines_perry_lott_barnes.jpg

 

[kiki]

I still remember the " heavyweight championship atmosphere" of the Vegas exos between Connors and Laver and Connors and newcombe.Players were preparing those " winner takes all" challenges for months, and it was pride, not just money, the true drive.

 

[Nadal_Power]

I read that Connors/Laver match was true war.. Jimmy gave zero respect to all time great and I think crowd was on Rod's side

Krosero bring us video of the match http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SptdffCeVmM

SI article :

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1089506/1/index.htm

 

[kiki]

I read that Connors/Laver match was true war.. Jimmy gave zero respect to all time great and I think crowd was on Rod's side

Krosero bring us video of the match http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SptdffCeVmM

SI article :

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1089506/1/index.htm

Yeah, but look at his face after some great Laver points¡¡¡

 

[kiki]

... and crowd used to be on Laver parts, not to mention when facing Connors who, at that time everybody hated.

 

[Nadal_Power]

... and crowd used to be on Laver parts, not to mention when facing Connors who, at that time everybody hated.

Yeah.. but in few years time magic will start to work at Flushing Meadows like nowhere else between crowd/player

 

[kiki]

Yeah.. but in few years time magic will start to work at Flushing Meadows like nowhere else between crowd/player

True...but it was a Connors strategy, not his nature...in fact, he won the Wimbledon crowds even before the US crowds , back in 1978 ( and just one year after being booed for skipping the centennary parade)...he ahd the advantage that Mac was the new bad kid in town and he needed to take an extra lift since Borg was owning him handily

 

[Nadal_Power]

AT&T Challenge 1987 (6-11 Ocotber)

Group 1 :

John McEnroe vs Miloslav Mecir 7-5 7-6(5)
Ivan Lendl vs Mikael Pernfors 6-3 6-3
Ivan Lendl vs John McEnroe 5-7 6-4 7-6(2)
Miloslav Mecir vs Mikael Pernfors 7-6 6-4
John McEnroe vs Mikael Pernfors 6-2 6-3
Ivan Lendl vs Miloslav Mecir 6-0 6-4

Group 2 :

Paul Annacone vs Ulf Stenlund 6-1 6-0
Jimmy Connors vs Stefan Edberg 4-6 7-5 6-3
Jimmy Connors vs Paul Annacone 6-1 6-4
Stefan Edberg vs Ulf Stenlund 4-6 7-5 6-1
Jimmy Connors vs Ulf Stenlund 6-1 6-0
Paul Annacone vs Stefan Edberg 6-2 6-3


1/2 :

Paul Annacone vs Ivan Lendl 6-3 6-2
John McEnroe vs Jimmy Connors 6-4 6-4

Final :

John McEnroe vs Paul Annacone 6-4 7-5

 

[joe sch]

I still remember the " heavyweight championship atmosphere" of the Vegas exos between Connors and Laver and Connors and newcombe.Players were preparing those " winner takes all" challenges for months, and it was pride, not just money, the true drive.

That Ceasors Connors vs Laver was an intense match. The buildup was also quite entertaining especially with Connors destroying Rosewall in the USO final and stating he wants Laver next. Too bad todays Exo are more show than battle. Pancho Gonzales use to take his Exos pretty serious. Would have loved to see both Pancho and Jimbo play each other in their primes. Segura was a battle but a nice guy.

 

[kiki]

That Ceasors Connors vs Laver was an intense match. The buildup was also quite entertaining especially with Connors destroying Rosewall in the USO final and stating he wants Laver next. Too bad todays Exo are more show than battle. Pancho Gonzales use to take his Exos pretty serious. Would have loved to see both Pancho and Jimbo play each other in their primes. Segura was a battle but a nice guy.

Connors seemed to rave on revenge...didn´t he appointed Newcombe and Orantes for the las Vegas show? I can´t imagine he didn´t appoint Ashe, too.Lost to those 3 in all major finals in 1975...