How can Kuerten, Wilander, and Lendl be ranked above Federer at French?

[McEnroeisanartist]

Like a lot of people, I think Federer's performance at the French Open is underrated.

While Federer only has one French Open and has a career winning percentage below Wilander, Kuerten, and Lendl, I think Federer has the following reasons to be placed above those three.

1. 5 finals - one less than Lendl, same as Wilander, and 2 more than Kuerten
2. 4 consecutive finals - tied with Lendl
3. 7 semifinals - 2nd most all time
4. Either won or lost to eventual champion - 6 times - two less than Lendl, tied with Wilander, 2 more than Kuerten
5. No "bad" losses during 8 year prime at tournament - Lendl had bad loss to Svensson in 88, Wilander had bad loss to Chesnokov in 1986, Kuerten had losses to Safin in 1998 and Medvedev in 1999 (both ranked 100 or lower)

 

[merlinpinpin]

For the record, Lendl was injured during that loss to Svensson (muscle issue around his right shoulder/upper chest during the second set, trainer couldn't do anything but tell him he was going home). as for Wilander, he started really subpar (with a bagel, if memory serves), but even when he woke up, he couldn't beat an excellent Chesnokov.

 

[monfed]

Have you seen Kuerten's peak level on clay? He's the perfect claycourter imo and is the greatest on clay ever(sure he doesnt have the slam count but he had no weaknesses).

 

[Phoenix1983]

They're all triple champions and have far more success on clay than Fed.

Old Kuerten beat prime Fed in 2004 at the FO, he surely would have beaten him at his peak.

 

[NatF]

They're all triple champions and have far more success on clay than Fed.

Old Kuerten beat prime Fed in 2004 at the FO, he surely would have beaten him at his peak.

Kuerten played a pretty good tournament. Plus Federer didn't hit his stride on clay for another couple of years really. I don't think it would be a whitewash if they met. Edge to Kuerten but not massive over say 10 matches. Remember Federer beat Kuerten in Hamburg in 2002 also.

 

[monfed]

They're all triple champions and have far more success on clay than Fed.

Old Kuerten beat prime Fed in 2004 at the FO, he surely would have beaten him at his peak.

To be fair, Fed hadn't matured on clay in 04 and he met Kuerten at a very early stage. But yes Peak Kuerten > Peak Fed on clay for me.

 

[edberg volleys]

Kuerten is marginally above Fed, and that opinion has nothing to do with Fed's loss at RG 2004. Lendl and Wilander are below (esp level wise). But that's just my opinion.

 

[heninfan99]

Kuerten was the best I've ever seen on clay.

 

[edberg volleys]

Yes, I agree totally Heninfan!

 

[MasturB]

Federer was unlucky to play in his prime against the greatest clay courter of all time.

Would've had a few Monte Carlos, a few Rome, a few more Madrid, a few more Hamburg, a few more Roland Garros' for sure.

 

[Phoenix1983]

Kuerten vs. Borg or Nadal at the FO would have been interesting.

Going on statistics, he surely can't be ranked higher than the latter two. But maybe his highest level would have been enough to prevail, even against those titans?

 

[edberg volleys]

Federer was unlucky to play in his prime against the greatest clay courter of all time.

Would've had a few Monte Carlos, a few Rome, a few more Madrid, a few more Hamburg, a few more Roland Garros' for sure.

Bolded part: Yes, even though I don't like Nadal, his accomplishments speak for themselves. I honestly think that nobody can win 8 RGs never again and Rafa still has time to improve that sick record.

Underlined part: Nothing to add.

 

[objectivity]

heck, how can you ever place anyone above federer in anything?! he is the greatest of all time in anything! how dare you! blasphemous!

 

[Moose Malloy]

Kuerten played a pretty good tournament. Plus Federer didn't hit his stride on clay for another couple of years really.

To be fair, Fed hadn't matured on clay in 04 and he met Kuerten at a very early stage.

I bet a lot on tennis in '04, Federer was the pre-tournament favorite with bookies(he won Hamburg for 2nd time that year, beating Monte Carlo champ Coria in the final) at the '04 French.

Kuerten was a big underdog in that match, confidence was low(really struggling with hip problems etc, barely had any clay prep for the French that year) and was playing the world #1 who just won a clay masters(and had won 2 of the last 3 slams at the time. and was age 21)

Some of you should do a search on the news reports at the time, it was considered a massive upset(for its time, obviously Fed, Nadal, Djokovic etc started to redefine what a 'favorite' meant starting in '05)

Remember Federer beat Kuerten in Hamburg in 2002 also.

Kuerten had barely played any events that year pre Hamburg(surgey in Feb '02) http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Ku/G/Gustavo-Kuerten.aspx?t=pa&y=2002&m=s&e=0

We live in an era where top players don't have the sort of serious injuries(that require surgery, not just 'rest') that used to be fairly common. 'Prime' Guga was basically done after the '01 USO, he just had flashes of that level here and there from then on until he retired.

 

[Andres]

Like a lot of people, I think Federer's performance at the French Open is underrated.

While Federer only has one French Open and has a career winning percentage below Wilander, Kuerten, and Lendl, I think Federer has the following reasons to be placed above those three.

1. 5 finals - one less than Lendl, same as Wilander, and 2 more than Kuerten
2. 4 consecutive finals - tied with Lendl
3. 7 semifinals - 2nd most all time
4. Either won or lost to eventual champion - 6 times - two less than Lendl, tied with Wilander, 2 more than Kuerten
5. No "bad" losses during 8 year prime at tournament - Lendl had bad loss to Svensson in 88, Wilander had bad loss to Chesnokov in 1986, Kuerten had losses to Safin in 1998 and Medvedev in 1999 (both ranked 100 or lower)

And he has the following reasons to be placed below those three

1. Less French Opens
2. Worse Winning % at the French Open.

 

[Incognito]

They're all triple champions and have far more success on clay than Fed.

Old Kuerten beat prime Fed in 2004 at the FO, he surely would have beaten him at his peak.

yeah, Fed had a bad day. I don't know what it was but the minute he stepped on that court that day, he seemed very nervous and uncertain.

Fed had beaten Kuerten in Hamburg as well, a bagel and a breadstick. I don't know about you guys but I think Fed's highest level on clay is on par or just a very tiny bit below Rafa's. Let's not forget Fed managed to beat peak Rafa on clay in 2007.

 

[NatF]

I bet a lot on tennis in '04, Federer was the pre-tournament favorite with bookies(he won Hamburg for 2nd time that year, beating Monte Carlo champ Coria in the final) at the '04 French.

Kuerten was a big underdog in that match, confidence was low(really struggling with hip problems etc, barely had any clay prep for the French that year) and was playing the world #1 who just won a clay masters(and had won 2 of the last 3 slams at the time. and was age 21)

Some of you should do a search on the news reports at the time, it was considered a massive upset(for its time, obviously Fed, Nadal, Djokovic etc started to redefine what a 'favorite' meant starting in '05)

I'm not disputing any of that. He may have been the favorite based on his strong showing in Hamburg but he was still somewhat inconsistent on the surface. Even in 2006 the commentators were talking about Federer still adjusting his game for the surface.

Kuerten was of course the under dog but do you not think he played a good match to beat Federer? He also played pretty well against Nalbandian. So it's not like he was playing badly. I recognize that Kuerten was struggling due to his hip surgery and had been for a while. But that was also his last good run really.

So yes while I accept that it was a huge upset and Federer was favored. I maintain that it wasn't simply a case of Federer being so far beneath Kuerten on clay that even hip busted Gustavo could beat him in straights.

Kuerten had barely played any events that year pre Hamburg(surgey in Feb '02) http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Ku/G/Gustavo-Kuerten.aspx?t=pa&y=2002&m=s&e=0

Yes, but he was still bageled. I am aware that Kuerten was never the same after the surgery and a shadow of himself bar a couple of runs in tournaments (like IW 03 and RG 04). Kuerten was fit enough to compete in the match. My point was that Kuerten schooled Federer, but Federer also schooled Kuerten. We can agree Federer was far from his best on clay in 2002 in general too.

We live in an era where top players don't have the sort of serious injuries(that require surgery, not just 'rest') that used to be fairly common. 'Prime' Guga was basically done after the '01 USO, he just had flashes of that level here and there from then on until he retired.

Agreed. I already said Guga was better than Federer on clay. My point was that the gap wasn't vast.

 

[Fed_Djoker_Fan]

Kuerten played a pretty good tournament. Plus Federer didn't hit his stride on clay for another couple of years really. I don't think it would be a whitewash if they met. Edge to Kuerten but not massive over say 10 matches. Remember Federer beat Kuerten in Hamburg in 2002 also.

Always some excuse

 

[kiki]

Like a lot of people, I think Federer's performance at the French Open is underrated.

While Federer only has one French Open and has a career winning percentage below Wilander, Kuerten, and Lendl, I think Federer has the following reasons to be placed above those three.

1. 5 finals - one less than Lendl, same as Wilander, and 2 more than Kuerten
2. 4 consecutive finals - tied with Lendl
3. 7 semifinals - 2nd most all time
4. Either won or lost to eventual champion - 6 times - two less than Lendl, tied with Wilander, 2 more than Kuerten
5. No "bad" losses during 8 year prime at tournament - Lendl had bad loss to Svensson in 88, Wilander had bad loss to Chesnokov in 1986, Kuerten had losses to Safin in 1998 and Medvedev in 1999 (both ranked 100 or lower)

Easy, 3 titles vs 1.Sodelring is no better than Pernfors or Leconte.Wilander also beat Vilas and twice Lendl and Lendl beat Mac ad Wilander.make your accounts please...and Lendl lost to Borg in 5 sets...which Federer has never been able to against Nadal.

Kuerten beat Bruguera, who is an all time great on clay.

Federer wouldn´t beat any of those three guys.

 

[Fed_Djoker_Fan]

Easy, 3 titles vs 1.Sodelring is no better than Pernfors or Leconte.Wilander also beat Vilas and twice Lendl and Lendl beat Mac ad Wilander.make your accounts please...and Lendl lost to Borg in 5 sets...which Federer has never been able to against Nadal.

Kuerten beat Bruguera, who is an all time great on clay.

Federer wouldn´t beat any of those three guys.

Not in WonderMono land.

 

[kiki]

Mc namara and Higueras won hamburg several times... so what is the big deal there?

 

[edberg volleys]

And he has the following reasons to be placed below those three

1. Less French Opens
2. Worse Winning % at the French Open.

LMAO! Fed just happens to face Clay-Goat in 3 finals + SF. Messi is god but you cannot be serious level-wise :lol: when it comes to Fed, Wilander or Lendl, please! As I already said Kuerten is above Fed.

 

[Mustard]

Like a lot of people, I think Federer's performance at the French Open is underrated.

While Federer only has one French Open and has a career winning percentage below Wilander, Kuerten, and Lendl, I think Federer has the following reasons to be placed above those three.

You cannot be serious. Wilander, Lendl and Kuerten are all 3-time winners of the French Open. All of them have had an aura at the French Open that Federer has not had. Lendl was the dominant player of his time and had famous French Open triumphs, Wilander was the most intelligent player of his time who had nearly all his best career moments at the French Open, and Kuerten was like a surfer on the waves looking to get into the groove that produces his peak performance. At his best, Kuerten was the king of clay. Federer, by contrast, has played second fiddle to Nadal for a long time on the clay.

 

[kiki]

Federer, the All Mighty God

Please, free us from those Hell Angels that claim a portion of your Goodwill Kingdom.

Free us from wooden racket spirits and one handed backhands

Free us from the evil sight of a man... rushing to the net¡¡¡ to hit a ball before it has bounced

Free us from any fast court. ad more over, from any blue carpet stuff called Supreme.

Variety, Creativity, All courtness and Personality shall be dismissed from the Kingdom of God.

Monotennis and boring characters shall be the Law of God

No more Pits of the world, no more anemaal Graebner, no more Chalk flew up and no more Capital Sins like a drop shot or a sliced return of Serve

Oh¡ Mighty Roger.Oh Might Rafa Christmas.Oh Might Son of Jesus the Serb.To you commed our souls praying for your eternhal mercy and your eternhal type of game.

Shall old tennis burn for ever as the impious atrocity that deems to turbate te peace of our kids

( Deuteronomius of Modern tennis by Onlce Tony and Nick Bolletieri)

 

[edberg volleys]

Federer, the All Mighty God

Please, free us from those Hell Angels that claim a portion of your Goodwill Kingdom.

Free us from wooden racket spirits and one handed backhands

Free us from the evil sight of a man... rushing to the net¡¡¡ to hit a ball before it has bounced

Free us from any fast court. ad more over, from any blue carpet stuff called Supreme.

Variety, Creativity, All courtness and Personality shall be dismissed from the Kingdom of God.

Monotennis and boring characters shall be the Law of God

No more Pits of the world, no more anemaal Graebner, no more Chalk flew up and no more Capital Sins like a drop shot or a sliced return of Serve

Oh¡ Mighty Roger.Oh Might Rafa Christmas.Oh Might Son of Jesus the Serb.To you commed our souls praying for your eternhal mercy and your eternhal type of game.

Shall old tennis burn for ever as the impious atrocity that deems to turbate te peace of our kids

( Deuteronomius of Modern tennis by Onlce Tony and Nick Bolletieri)

Bolded part: If all greats have same wooden racket in their peak and all are playing ATM, who would be the king? My guess is McEnroe without a doubt!

 

[kiki]

Bolded part: If all greats have same wooden racket in their peak and all are playing ATM, who would be the king? My guess is McEnroe without a doubt!

Nastase could beat the best Mc Enroe.

have you seen peak Nasty?

 

[hoodjem]

Like a lot of people, I think Federer's performance at the French Open is underrated.

While Federer only has one French Open and has a career winning percentage below Wilander, Kuerten, and Lendl, I think Federer has the following reasons to be placed above those three.

1. 5 finals - one less than Lendl, same as Wilander, and 2 more than Kuerten
2. 4 consecutive finals - tied with Lendl
3. 7 semifinals - 2nd most all time
4. Either won or lost to eventual champion - 6 times - two less than Lendl, tied with Wilander, 2 more than Kuerten
5. No "bad" losses during 8 year prime at tournament - Lendl had bad loss to Svensson in 88, Wilander had bad loss to Chesnokov in 1986, Kuerten had losses to Safin in 1998 and Medvedev in 1999 (both ranked 100 or lower)

They won more.


(Ooops, sorry. What was I thinking? I guess you're right: winning does not really matter.
All hail Fed! Fed is the GOAT!)

 

[edberg volleys]

Nastase could beat the best Mc Enroe.

have you seen peak Nasty?

No, I've not, gotta admit.

But my 1. intuition was that because mac plays so creative and aggressive tennis with flat shots + superb volleys, he would be man to beat.

But like I said I have never seen Nastase playing.

 

[heninfan99]

...but Edberg is the reason I'm a tennis nut from when I first saw his one-hander in '89.

Yes, I agree totally Heninfan!

 

[BobbyOne]

Federer, the All Mighty God

Please, free us from those Hell Angels that claim a portion of your Goodwill Kingdom.

Free us from wooden racket spirits and one handed backhands

Free us from the evil sight of a man... rushing to the net¡¡¡ to hit a ball before it has bounced

Free us from any fast court. ad more over, from any blue carpet stuff called Supreme.

Variety, Creativity, All courtness and Personality shall be dismissed from the Kingdom of God.

Monotennis and boring characters shall be the Law of God

No more Pits of the world, no more anemaal Graebner, no more Chalk flew up and no more Capital Sins like a drop shot or a sliced return of Serve

Oh¡ Mighty Roger.Oh Might Rafa Christmas.Oh Might Son of Jesus the Serb.To you commed our souls praying for your eternhal mercy and your eternhal type of game.

Shall old tennis burn for ever as the impious atrocity that deems to turbate te peace of our kids

( Deuteronomius of Modern tennis by Onlce Tony and Nick Bolletieri)

kiki, This is your best post of the last few months...;-)

 

[kiki]

well, Mc Enro is never a bad option.

the Borg-Mc Enroe match that we missed was a FO clash.

That said, while most consider 1980 and 1981 the peak years of their rivalry ( which started in late 78), I do really believe 1979 is the best year.Both beat the other at matches where they had mp against.

 

[kiki]

kiki, This is your best post of the last few months...;-)

...just behind my post on Fraser vs Roche, I admit.

 

[kiki]

Jan Kodes beat Zeljo Franulovic ( whom we can compare to Soderling)..and Ilie Nastase, whom we can´t compare to anybody Federer has played on clay, well certainly.

Bruguera beat Sampras,Rafter,Courier,Medvedev,Edberg and also Becker and Agassi on the red turf.I have seen him trounce into pieces all of them except Courier and Becker.

he clearly was past peak when he lost to Kuerten.and, yes, Muster beat him very often...

 

[edberg volleys]

...but Edberg is the reason I'm a tennis nut from when I first saw his one-hander in '89.

Yeah, his 1HBH is still aesthetically most beautiful shot ever

But I love his volleys even more (short clip, Mac in box)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THUvyWf-t7c

But first of all, his on/off-court behaviour was/is unbelievable compared to any1 anytime. Sportsmanship award was named by him and FOR REASON

 

[spinovic]

They won more.


(Ooops, sorry. What was I thinking? I guess you're right: winning does not really matter.
All hail Fed! Fed is the GOAT!)

Based on OP logic, can we say Lendl is greater than Federer at Flushing Meadows?

 

[kiki]

if you think Edberg´s was beautiful to watch... figure out Rosewall´s¡¡¡

 

[NADALRECORD]

How about Jim Courier? He's won 2 Roland Garros titles.

Losing in a bunch of Finals doesn't exactly inspire greatness. Djokovic keeps losing big slam matches, and its not helping his reputation. It reveals mental or physical shortcoming. There is a big difference between winning a final and losing a final, especially if its in 3 or 4 sets. I don't think Federer racking up finals appearances is anything to brag about.

 

[tennisaddict]

Wilander, Kuerten and Lendl are trifle ahead of Fed. But Fed is still top 10 open era on clay.

How many other players are GOAT's on 4 surfaces/environment (grass , hard, rebound ace, indoor ) and top 10 in the one remaining surface ?

 

[6-1 6-3 6-0]

Great thread. Why not take it a step further and claim that Federer is actually better than Nadal on clay? Sure, Nadal won 8 Roland Garros titles, but that's nothing compared to Federer's 9 consecutive QFs.

 

[tennisaddict]

Great thread. Why not take it a step further and claim that Federer is actually better than Nadal on clay? Sure, Nadal won 8 Roland Garros titles, but that's nothing compared to Federer's 9 consecutive QFs.

Nadal is a single surface bully, Why deny what is rightly due ?

At the same time he is the only 10+ major winner to have only 1 surface where he is 'dominant'.

Players who have lesser accomplishments like McEnroe had grass + hard, Lendl had clay + hard, Borg had clay + hard as dominant surfaces.

 

[NADALRECORD]

Great thread. Why not take it a step further and claim that Federer is actually better than Nadal on clay? Sure, Nadal won 8 Roland Garros titles, but that's nothing compared to Federer's 9 consecutive QFs.

LOL&LMAO@QFs

 

[jhhachamp]

We live in an era where top players don't have the sort of serious injuries(that require surgery, not just 'rest') that used to be fairly common. 'Prime' Guga was basically done after the '01 USO, he just had flashes of that level here and there from then on until he retired.

Murray just had major back surgery and has yet to recover his form. Nadal has had many serious injuries over the years. Djokovic has dealt with many minor injuries. Federer has for the most part remained injury free his entire career which is a testament to his style of play, preparation, genetics, and probably some luck.

 

[NADALRECORD]

Federer had the worst year of anyone of the big 4 (2013), so the back injury he had is the most restricting injury any of the big 4 have had. Plus it was so bad in 2004 he wasn't allowed to participate in the military.

 

[Bobby Jr]

Like a lot of people, I think Federer's performance at the French Open is underrated.

While Federer only has one French Open and has a career winning percentage below Wilander, Kuerten, and Lendl, I think Federer has the following reasons to be placed above those three.

:lol::lol: Clown.

Career winning percentage at any tournament means nothing compared to how many titles were won. Nothing whatsoever.*


(*unless two players are on equal titles)

 

[tacou]

really hard to get past the first few sentences...and you've made no argument for why he should be ranked above llendl (more semis and a bad loss? come on)

 

[Mustard]

Here are all their French Open match records:

Ivan Lendl
1978 French Open
R128: Jose-Luis Clerc def. Ivan Lendl (6-3, 6-0, 6-3)

1979 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Jaime Fillol Sr. (7-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Patrice Dominguez (3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Arthur Ashe (5-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-3)
R16: Vitas Gerulaitis def. Ivan Lendl (6-2, 6-1, 6-3)

1980 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Sandy Mayer (7-6, 6-2, 6-3)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Klaus Eberhard (6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6)
R32: Brian Gottfried def. Ivan Lendl (2-6, 7-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3)

1981 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. John Fitzgerald (7-5, 7-6, 6-4)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Andres Gomez (6-2, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Eduardo Bengoechea (6-2, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3)
R16: Ivan Lendl def. Peter McNamara (6-2, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6)
QF: Ivan Lendl def. John McEnroe (6-4, 6-4, 7-5)
SF: Ivan Lendl def. Jose-Luis Clerc (3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2)
FR: Bjorn Borg def. Ivan Lendl (6-1, 4-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1)

1982 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Fernando Maynetto (6-0, 6-4, 6-1)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Thierry Tulasne (7-6, 7-5, 7-6)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Ramesh Krishnan (6-2, 6-1, 6-0)
R16: Mats Wilander def. Ivan Lendl (4-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2)

1983 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Pedro Rebolledo (6-4, 6-1, 6-3)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Sergio Casal (6-2, 6-2, 6-2)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Mario Martinez (6-0, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0)
R16: Ivan Lendl def. Brian Gottfried (7-6, 6-4, 6-3)
QF: Yannick Noah def. Ivan Lendl (7-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-0)

1984 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Matt Mitchell (6-2, 6-2, 6-0)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Mario Martinez (6-1, 6-0, 6-1)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Paul McNamee (6-1, 7-5, 6-4)
R16: Ivan Lendl def. Anders Jarryd (6-4, 6-0, 6-4)
QF: Ivan Lendl def. Andres Gomez (6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3)
SF: Ivan Lendl def. Mats Wilander (6-3, 6-3, 7-5)
FR: Ivan Lendl def. John McEnroe (3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5)

1985 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Eddie Edwards (6-1, 6-3, 6-1)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Jan Gunnarsson (7-6, 6-3, 6-2)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Jerome Potier (6-1, 6-2, 6-2)
R16: Ivan Lendl def. Aaron Krickstein (6-2, 6-2, 6-0)
QF: Ivan Lendl def. Martin Jaite (6-4, 6-2, 6-4)
SF: Ivan Lendl def. Jimmy Connors (6-2, 6-3, 6-1)
FR: Mats Wilander def. Ivan Lendl (3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2)

1986 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Michael Westphal (6-3, 6-3, 6-4)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Jakob Hlasek (6-3, 6-3, 6-3)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Christian Miniussi (6-1, 6-1, 6-2)
R16: Ivan Lendl def. Damir Keretic (6-1, 6-2, 6-4)
QF: Ivan Lendl def. Andres Gomez (6-7, 7-6, 6-0, 6-0)
SF: Ivan Lendl def. Johan Kriek (6-2, 6-1, 6-0)
FR: Ivan Lendl def. Mikael Pernfors (6-3, 6-2, 6-4)

1987 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Ronald Agenor (7-5, 7-6, 0-6, 6-3)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Jonathan Canter (3-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Thierry Tulasne (7-6, 6-2, 6-2)
R16: Ivan Lendl def. Joakim Nystrom (2-6, 6-1, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2)
QF: Ivan Lendl def. Andres Gomez (5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-1)
SF: Ivan Lendl def. Miloslav Mecir (6-3, 6-3, 7-6)
FR: Ivan Lendl def. Mats Wilander (7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6)

1988 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Philippe Pech (6-0, 6-3, 6-4)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Nicklas Kroon (6-4, 6-0, 6-1)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Thierry Tulasne (6-3, 7-6, 6-2)
R16: Ivan Lendl def. John McEnroe (6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4)
QF: Jonas Svensson def. Ivan Lendl (7-6, 7-5, 6-2)

1989 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Patrik Kuhnen (7-6, 6-3, 6-1)
R64: Ivan Lendl def. Derrick Rostagno (6-1, 6-3, 6-1)
R32: Ivan Lendl def. Darren Cahill (7-6, 6-3, 6-3)
R16: Michael Chang def. Ivan Lendl (4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3)

1992 French Open
R128: Ivan Lendl def. Sergi Bruguera (6-4, 6-2, 6-1)
R64: Jaime Oncins def. Ivan Lendl (3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 8-6)

1993 French Open
R128: Stephane Huet def. Ivan Lendl (3-6, 7-5, 6-0, 7-6)

1994 French Open
R128: Arnaud Boetsch def. Ivan Lendl (6-4, 6-3, 6-4)


Mats Wilander
1982 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Alejandro Cortes (6-4, 6-3, 6-4)
R64: Mats Wilander def. Cassio Motta (6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2)
R32: Mats Wilander def. Fernando Luna (6-3, 6-1, 6-0)
R16: Mats Wilander def. Ivan Lendl (4-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2)
QF: Mats Wilander def. Vitas Gerulaitis (6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4)
SF: Mats Wilander def. Jose-Luis Clerc (7-5, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5)
FR: Mats Wilander def. Guillermo Vilas (1-6, 7-6, 6-0, 6-4)

1983 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Juan Avendano (4-6, 6-2, 6-0, 2-1 ret.)
R64: Mats Wilander def. Christophe Bernelle (6-1, 6-1, 6-3)
R32: Mats Wilander def. Dominique Bedel (6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1)
R16: Mats Wilander def. Henrik Sundstrom (6-4, 6-1, 6-3)
QF: Mats Wilander def. John McEnroe (1-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0)
SF: Mats Wilander def. Jose Higueras (7-5, 6-7, 6-3, 6-0)
FR: Yannick Noah def. Mats Wilander (6-2, 7-5, 7-6)

1984 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Wally Masur (6-3, 6-2, 6-3)
R64: Mats Wilander def. John Alexander (6-4, 6-1, 6-3)
R32: Mats Wilander def. Thierry Tulasne (6-2, 6-2, 6-4)
R16: Mats Wilander def. Juan Aguilera (6-2, 6-1, 6-3)
QF: Mats Wilander def. Yannick Noah (7-6, 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3)
SF: Ivan Lendl def. Mats Wilander (6-3, 6-3, 7-5)

1985 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Thierry Tulasne (6-1, 6-4, 6-2)
R64: Mats Wilander def. Boris Becker (6-3, 6-2, 6-1)
R32: Mats Wilander def. Emilio Sanchez (3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3)
R16: Mats Wilander def. Tomas Smid (6-3, 6-4, 6-4)
QF: Mats Wilander def. Henri Leconte (6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 7-5)
SF: Mats Wilander def. John McEnroe (6-1, 7-5, 7-5)
FR: Mats Wilander def. Ivan Lendl (3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2)

1986 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Ricardo Acuna (6-0, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1)
R64: Mats Wilander def. Aaron Krickstein (6-1, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4)
R32: Andrei Chesnokov def. Mats Wilander (6-2, 6-3, 6-2)

1987 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Simone Colombo (3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 5-3 ret.)
R64: Mats Wilander def. Paul Annacone (6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4)
R32: Mats Wilander def. Aaron Krickstein (6-1, 6-7, 6-0, 6-2)
R16: Mats Wilander def. Tarik Benhabiles (5-7, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3)
QF: Mats Wilander def. Yannick Noah (6-4, 6-3, 6-2)
SF: Mats Wilander def. Boris Becker (6-4, 6-1, 6-2)
FR: Ivan Lendl def. Mats Wilander (7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6)

1988 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Josef Cihak (7-5, 7-5, 6-1)
R64: Mats Wilander def. Francisco Yunis (6-2, 6-3, 6-1)
R32: Mats Wilander def. Slobodan Zivojinovic (6-2, 6-7, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5)
R16: Mats Wilander def. Ronald Agenor (6-1, 7-6, 6-3)
QF: Mats Wilander def. Emilio Sanchez (6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4)
SF: Mats Wilander def. Andre Agassi (4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 6-0)
FR: Mats Wilander def. Henri Leconte (7-5, 6-2, 6-1)

1989 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Tomas Carbonell (6-3, 6-3, 6-3)
R64: Mats Wilander def. Diego Perez (6-3, 7-6, 6-3)
R32: Mats Wilander def. Omar Camporese (6-4, 6-3, 7-6)
R16: Mats Wilander def. Lawson Duncan (7-5, 6-3, 6-2)
QF: Andrei Chesnokov def. Mats Wilander (6-4, 6-0, 7-5)

1991 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Leonardo Lavalle (6-4, 6-3, 6-2)
R64: Fabrice Santoro def. Mats Wilander (6-2, 6-3, 6-2)

1994 French Open
R128: Andre Agassi def. Mats Wilander (6-2, 7-5, 6-1)

1995 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Derrick Rostagno (7-5, 7-5, 6-4)
R64: Wayne Ferreira def. Mats Wilander (6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 8-6)

1996 French Open
R128: Mats Wilander def. Jean-Philippe Fleurian (7-5, 6-4, 6-1)
R64: Todd Martin def. Mats Wilander (6-4, 7-6, 6-2)

 

[Mustard]

Gustavo Kuerten
1996 French Open
R128: Wayne Ferreira def. Gustavo Kuerten (6-4, 7-5, 7-6)

1997 French Open
R128: Gustavo Kuerten def. Slava Dosedel (6-0, 7-5, 6-4)
R64: Gustavo Kuerten def. Jonas Bjorkman (6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5)
R32: Gustavo Kuerten def. Thomas Muster (6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4)
R16: Gustavo Kuerten def. Andrei Medvedev (5-7, 6-1, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5)
QF: Gustavo Kuerten def. Yevgeny Kafelnikov (6-2, 5-7, 2-6, 6-0, 6-4)
SF: Gustavo Kuerten def. Filip Dewulf (6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6)
FR: Gustavo Kuerten def. Sergi Bruguera (6-3, 6-4, 6-2)

1998 French Open
R128: Gustavo Kuerten def. Charles Auffray (6-0, 6-2, 6-2)
R64: Marat Safin def. Gustavo Kuerten (3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4)

1999 French Open
R128: Gustavo Kuerten def. Galo Blanco (6-4, 6-4, 6-3)
R64: Gustavo Kuerten def. Guillermo Canas (6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2)
R32: Gustavo Kuerten def. Sjeng Schalken (6-2, 6-4, 6-3)
R16: Gustavo Kuerten def. Bohdan Ulihrach (6-4, 6-4, 6-2)
QF: Andrei Medvedev def. Gustavo Kuerten (7-5, 6-4, 6-4)

2000 French Open
R128: Gustavo Kuerten def. Andreas Vinciguerra (6-0, 6-0, 6-3)
R64: Gustavo Kuerten def. Marcelo Charpentier (7-6, 6-2, 6-2)
R32: Gustavo Kuerten def. Michael Chang (6-3, 6-7, 6-1, 6-4)
R16: Gustavo Kuerten def. Nicolas Lapentti (6-3, 6-4, 7-6)
QF: Gustavo Kuerten def. Yevgeny Kafelnikov (6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2)
SF: Gustavo Kuerten def. Juan Carlos Ferrero (7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3)
FR: Gustavo Kuerten def. Magnus Norman (6-2, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6)

2001 French Open
R128: Gustavo Kuerten def. Guillermo Coria (6-1, 7-5, 6-4)
R64: Gustavo Kuerten def. Agustin Calleri (6-4, 6-4, 6-4)
R32: Gustavo Kuerten def. Karim Alami (6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-2)
R16: Gustavo Kuerten def. Michael Russell (3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1)
QF: Gustavo Kuerten def. Yevgeny Kafelnikov (6-1, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4)
SF: Gustavo Kuerten def. Juan Carlos Ferrero (6-4, 6-4, 6-3)
FR: Gustavo Kuerten def. Alex Corretja (6-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-0)

2002 French Open
R128: Gustavo Kuerten def. Ivo Heuberger (7-5, 6-2, 6-2)
R64: Gustavo Kuerten def. Davide Sanguinetti (6-7, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3)
R32: Gustavo Kuerten def. Fernando Gonzalez (6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4)
R16: Albert Costa def. Gustavo Kuerten (6-4, 7-5, 6-4)

2003 French Open
R128: Gustavo Kuerten def. Marc Rosset (6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6)
R64: Gustavo Kuerten def. Hicham Arazi (6-1, 6-0, 6-1)
R32: Gustavo Kuerten def. Gaston Gaudio (7-6, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3)
R16: Tommy Robredo def. Gustavo Kuerten (6-4, 1-6, 7-6, 6-4)

2004 French Open
R128: Gustavo Kuerten def. Nicolas Almagro (7-5, 7-6, 1-6, 3-6, 7-5)
R64: Gustavo Kuerten def. Gilles Elseneer (6-2, 6-0, 6-3)
R32: Gustavo Kuerten def. Roger Federer (6-4, 6-4, 6-4)
R16: Gustavo Kuerten def. Feliciano Lopez (6-3, 7-5, 6-4)
QF: David Nalbandian def. Gustavo Kuerten (6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6)

2005 French Open
R128: David Sanchez def. Gustavo Kuerten (6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1)

2008 French Open
R128: Paul-Henri Mathieu def. Gustavo Kuerten (6-3, 6-4, 6-2)


Roger Federer
1999 French Open
R128: Patrick Rafter def. Roger Federer (5-7, 6-3, 6-0, 6-2)

2000 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Wayne Arthurs (7-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3)
R64: Roger Federer def. Jan-Michael Gambill (7-6, 6-3, 6-3)
R32: Roger Federer def. Michel Kratochvil (7-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-7, 8-6)
R16: Alex Corretja def. Roger Federer (7-5, 7-6, 6-2)

2001 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Stefano Galvani (6-3, 6-3, 6-3)
R64: Roger Federer def. Sargis Sargsian (4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 9-7)
R32: Roger Federer def. David Sanchez (6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3)
R16: Roger Federer def. Wayne Arthurs (3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2)
QF: Alex Corretja def. Roger Federer (7-5, 6-4, 7-5)

2002 French Open
R128: Hicham Arazi def. Roger Federer (6-3, 6-2, 6-4)

2003 French Open
R128: Luis Horna def. Roger Federer (7-6, 6-2, 7-6)

2004 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Kristof Vliegen (6-1, 6-2, 6-1)
R64: Roger Federer def. Nicolas Kiefer (6-3, 6-4, 7-6)
R32: Gustavo Kuerten def. Roger Federer (6-4, 6-4, 6-4)

2005 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Dudi Sela (6-1, 6-4, 6-0)
R64: Roger Federer def. Nicolas Almagro (6-3, 7-6, 6-2)
R32: Roger Federer def. Fernando Gonzalez (7-6, 7-5, 6-2)
R16: Roger Federer def. Carlos Moya (6-1, 6-4, 6-3)
QF: Roger Federer def. Victor Hanescu (6-2, 7-6, 6-3)
SF: Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer (6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3)

2006 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Diego Hartfield (7-5, 7-6, 6-2)
R64: Roger Federer def. Alejandro Falla (6-1, 6-4, 6-3)
R32: Roger Federer def. Nicolas Massu (6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5)
R16: Roger Federer def. Tomas Berdych (6-3, 6-2, 6-3)
QF: Roger Federer def. Mario Ancic (6-4, 6-3, 6-4)
SF: Roger Federer def. David Nalbandian (3-6, 6-4, 5-2 ret.)
F: Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer (1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6)

2007 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Michael Russell (6-4, 6-2, 6-4)
R64: Roger Federer def. Thierry Ascione (6-1, 6-2, 7-6)
R32: Roger Federer def. Potito Starace (6-2, 6-3, 6-0)
R16: Roger Federer def. Mikhail Youzhny (7-6, 6-4, 6-4)
QF: Roger Federer def. Tommy Robredo (7-5, 1-6, 6-1, 6-2)
SF: Roger Federer def. Nikolay Davydenko (7-5, 7-6, 7-6)
F: Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer (6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4)

2008 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Sam Querrey (6-4, 6-4, 6-3)
R64: Roger Federer def. Albert Montanes (6-7, 6-1, 6-0, 6-4)
R32: Roger Federer def. Mario Ancic (6-3, 6-4, 6-2)
R16: Roger Federer def. Julien Benneteau (6-4, 7-5, 7-5)
QF: Roger Federer def. Fernando Gonzalez (2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4)
SF: Roger Federer def. Gael Monfils (6-2, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5)
F: Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer (6-1, 6-3, 6-0)

2009 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Alberto Martin (6-4, 6-3, 6-2)
R64: Roger Federer def. Jose Acasuso (7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-2)
R32: Roger Federer def. Paul-Henri Mathieu (4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4)
R16: Roger Federer def. Tommy Haas (6-7, 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2)
QF: Roger Federer def. Gael Monfils (7-6, 6-2, 6-4)
SF: Roger Federer def. Juan Martin del Potro (3-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4)
F: Roger Federer def. Robin Soderling (6-1, 7-6, 6-4)

2010 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Peter Luczak (6-4, 6-1, 6-2)
R64: Roger Federer def. Alejandro Falla (7-6, 6-2, 6-4)
R32: Roger Federer def. Julian Reister (6-4, 6-0, 6-4)
R16: Roger Federer def. Stanislas Wawrinka (6-3, 7-6, 6-2)
QF: Robin Soderling def. Roger Federer (3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4)

2011 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Feliciano Lopez (6-3, 6-4, 7-6)
R64: Roger Federer def. Maxime Teixeira (6-3, 6-0, 6-2)
R32: Roger Federer def. Janko Tipsarevic (6-1, 6-4, 6-3)
R16: Roger Federer def. Stanislas Wawrinka (6-3, 6-2, 7-5)
QF: Roger Federer def. Gael Monfils (6-4, 6-3, 7-6)
SF: Roger Federer def. Novak Djokovic (7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6)
F: Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer (7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1)

2012 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Tobias Kamke (6-2, 7-5, 6-3)
R64: Roger Federer def. Adrian Ungur (6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3)
R32: Roger Federer def. Nicolas Mahut (6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5)
R16: Roger Federer def. David Goffin (5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4)
QF: Roger Federer def. Juan Martin del Potro (3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0, 6-3)
SF: Novak Djokovic def. Roger Federer (6-4, 7-5, 6-3)

2013 French Open
R128: Roger Federer def. Pablo Carreno-Busta (6-2, 6-2, 6-3)
R64: Roger Federer def. Somdev Devvarman (6-2, 6-1, 6-1)
R32: Roger Federer def. Julien Benneteau (6-3, 6-4, 7-5)
R16: Roger Federer def. Gilles Simon (6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3)
QF: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Roger Federer (7-5, 6-3, 6-3)

 

[chjtennis]

How can Kuerten, Wilander, and Lendl be ranked above Federer at French?

Simple. Because of Rafael Nadal.

Federer only has 1 FO.

 

[monfed]

The OP makes very valid points imo. Noone was stopping Fed from winning RG 05,06,07, 11 had it not been for Nadal. I mean I'm already being generous by excluding RG 08,don't think Fed would've allowed Nole to beat him a second time in the same year that too RG cause Fed would've been doubly motivated had he faced Nole in the final. But anyway, that's 5 RGs and potentially 6 right there, 1 short of Borg, making him the second greatest claycourter of all time. Fact is Fed was the second greatest claycourter of his era by a huge margin,not even close. It's just sheer badluck he had to face a matchup issue in all those finals. And this is just slams, think about how many MS titles he would've had on clay without Nadal, maybe 6-10 more.

So the question that needs to be asked is , how do we factor in Nadal CORRECTLY into Fed's clay legacy? It really is quite an anomaly for a player of Fed's ability to be repeatedly stopped by a player with inferior talents who basically doesn't allow him to use his main weapon. How do you factor in that?

On a sidenote, gamewise I do think Kuerten is better than Fed on clay but if I think the result would depend on who plays the better tennis on that given day. Fed would take down the others imo.

 

[monfed]

Simple. Because of Rafael Nadal.

Federer only has 1 FO.

Exactly. Is it really such an exaggeration to include RG 05,06,07,11 to Fed's trophy cabinet in the absense of Nadal? If you add those up, that's 5 RGs, 1 short of Borg. And if you include RG 08, then its 6, equalling Borg.