How fast - and great- was Vitas ?

[kiki]

In the late 70´s and early 80´s, probably one of the most competitive and rich periods of tennis in history, Vitas was mostly known for two things: his legendary night life...and his amazing speed.

Borg said he was just as quick as him or maybe more, and the same said Mc Enroe.He was dazzling quick, with great reflexes and a great reaction, albeit he sometimes looked like he was in slow motion.

He had a very nice all round game but lacked the big serve or big groundie that would make the difference against the Borg,Macs or Connors, all of them he defeated many times ( except Borg).He was flashy and brilliant and he had no weakness except for a very suspect second serve and a rather hard to pick FH grip that sometimes affected his timing in that stroke.

1 AO, 1 WCT, 2 IO, 2 Masters Finals, 1 RG Final, 1 USO Final, and a bunch of semis either at WCT Finals, RG,USO and Wimbledon made him a perennial top 5 player between 1977 and 1982.

How do you remember this classy, flamboyant new yorker who was outstanding so much in an era loaded with unreal characters?

 

[hawk eye]

I was small back then and the only tennis matches i remember from that era were some wimbledon finals (very entertaining) and FO finals (pretty boring). He wasn't in one of those.
Just knew his appearance him from some pictures/ posters.
But the thing I remember is his name. Can't go wrong with that. I thought a guy with that name must be one hack of a player. Sorry, one heck of a player.

 

[kiki]

I was small back then and the only tennis matches i remember from that era were some wimbledon finals (very entertaining) and FO finals (pretty boring). He wasn't in one of those.
Just knew his appearance him from some pictures/ posters.
But the thing I remember is his name. Can't go wrong with that. I thought a guy with that name must be one hack of a player. Sorry, one heck of a player.

Vitas came from a Lithuanian family, and his name is quite common there.

 

[kiki]

Vitas with a mighty and dependable serve is not Vitas.

But Vitas with a strong and dependable serve is a multislammer.

 

[illusions30]

What do you think held him back kiki. Besides the serve that is. Was it playing in such a tough era, or was it a bit of a lack of the extra mental belief. I know he lost something like 20 matches in a row to both Connors and Borg, which would have made it near impossible to win a slam at the time. He did a bit better vs McEnroe I believe.

 

[hoodjem]

What do you think held him back kiki. Besides the serve that is. Was it playing in such a tough era, or was it a bit of a lack of the extra mental belief. I know he lost something like 20 matches in a row to both Connors and Borg, which would have made it near impossible to win a slam at the time. He did a bit better vs McEnroe I believe.

And was pals with both Borg and Mac.

 

[kiki]

What do you think held him back kiki. Besides the serve that is. Was it playing in such a tough era, or was it a bit of a lack of the extra mental belief. I know he lost something like 20 matches in a row to both Connors and Borg, which would have made it near impossible to win a slam at the time. He did a bit better vs McEnroe I believe.

He lacked plainly and simply a big weapon and the intensity and will of Borg,Connors and Mc Enroe.His prime coming from 1977 to 1982, i think he never played better tennis than in the period comprising 1979 USO and 1980 Fo with a highlight at the Masters and, specially, the Forest Hills WCT event.

 

[TennisCJC]

We had a girl on our mixed doubles team in the early 80s whose aunt was a maid who cleaned Vitas' condo in S Florida. Her aunt said "oh Vitas, very wild, panties on the lamp shades".

Vitas didn't have the power ground game of Connor or Borg, and didn't have the strong serve of Mac or Borg. I think it is that simple - he just didn't have the weapons to hang with the big 3 of his era. Kind of like a Ferrer in today's game but more versatile style than Ferrer.

 

[Mustard]

Vitas came from a Lithuanian family, and his name is quite common there.

Indeed. The name Vitas Gerulaitis is very Lithuanian.

 

[CaptainCool309]

I learned about Vitas Gerulaitis from watching a Tennis Channel's Signature Series episode featuring Vitas. And after I saw that I gained a lot of respect and admiration for him. He's a very likeable guy with an awesome personality and a unique tennis game built on speed and touch. Can someone explain to me why he isn't in the Tennis Hall of Fame? Is it because of the drug scandals that surrounded him...?

Here's a clip from some "World Sports Masters" competition in 1982, that surprised me on how fast Vitas was
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBPPJHZWJhI

 

[kiki]

Indeed. The name Vitas Gerulaitis is very Lithuanian.

No less than Arvidas Sabonis, indeed

 

[SCRAP IRON]

Does anyone remember the commercial that Vitas and his father was in? I think the commercial was for the automobile "Peugot." It was kind of witty.

 

[Kirijax]

When I first started watching tennis, it was all Borg-McEnroe-Connors. But after those three, the next three were Gerulaitis, Vilas and Tanner. Gerulaitis with that name and hair, Vilas with equally impressive hair and huge left arm, and Tanner with the perm and cannon serve. I tend to root for underdogs a lot of the time and those three were my favorite for a while. Still shocked with how Gerulaitis and Tanner ended up; Gerulaitis by no fault of his own and Tanner solely to blame.

 

[jean pierre]

When I first started watching tennis, it was all Borg-McEnroe-Connors. But after those three, the next three were Gerulaitis, Vilas and Tanner. Gerulaitis with that name and hair, Vilas with equally impressive hair and huge left arm, and Tanner with the perm and cannon serve. I tend to root for underdogs a lot of the time and those three were my favorite for a while. Still shocked with how Gerulaitis and Tanner ended up; Gerulaitis by no fault of his own and Tanner solely to blame.

I think that Borg-Connors-Vilas-Mcenroe was thé big four. Tanner and Gerulaitis, with Noah, Panatta and some others, was thé next group.

 

[kiki]

When I first started watching tennis, it was all Borg-McEnroe-Connors. But after those three, the next three were Gerulaitis, Vilas and Tanner. Gerulaitis with that name and hair, Vilas with equally impressive hair and huge left arm, and Tanner with the perm and cannon serve. I tend to root for underdogs a lot of the time and those three were my favorite for a while. Still shocked with how Gerulaitis and Tanner ended up; Gerulaitis by no fault of his own and Tanner solely to blame.

Good description.In the 1979 ATP ranks we had 1/Borg ( Masters,FO,W) 2/Mc Enroe (USO,WCT) 3/Connors ( no major title but the US Pro Indoor and the US CC) 4/Gerulalitis (Italian Open win, USO and Masters F) 5/Tanner (W finalist) and 6/Vilas (AO).That was a splendid top 6 with a first unit and a second unit, such as you described.

 

[hoodjem]

Vitas was great fun to watch, particularly at Wimbledon on fast grass.

Indeed, he had a beautiful grass-court, old school game: be quick and get to the net at all costs, great touch and placement on the volleys.

 

[Mr.Lob]

In Jimmy Connors book he wrote Vitas died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a 3 inch piece of pipe that wasn't installed on a heat pump on a recent repair. Vitas was staying in a guest house by the pool. According to Connors they were really good friends.

 

[borg number one]

Vitas struck me as such a good guy. He seemed loyal too. Borg and Gerulaitis were great friends. Everybody loved Vitas. They became the best of friends after their epic 1977 Wimbledon semifinal. He was a very charismatic player, but he also displayed great grit and toughness in many matches during his great career. His training sessions with Borg helped them become incredibly fit. It was such a loss when he passed away but boy did he live as well.

Hear this clip of Borg on Vitas. (from about 15:55 and then as he talks about Vitas practicing with him after that SF match.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoB9KnKn-vA#t=947

 

[Mr.Lob]

players and especially Lendl (pretty solid dislike on both sides there).

Did anyone like Lendl back then? He was from Czechoslovakia, a Soviet Bloc country, playing his peak years during the height of the cold war. Aloof, distant, arrogant to some, very witty and dry sense of humor. Mack sure didn't like him, Connors seemed to tolerate him.

 

[Paul Murphy]

Excellent post (as usual in this section).
He was as fast as anyone I have ever seen but lacked a killer weapon - a little like Brad Gilbert in that respect.

 

[kiki]

VG was fantastic on clay as well........totally comfortable on all the surfaces - he grew up playing every day on clay and hard courts - winter time was indoor hard and clay.

2 Italians, one of them a memorable match against Vilas, a FO semi and a Final plus a couple of quarters and the WCT Invitational in 1980.he also played the MC finals.Vitas was the best american on clay of the late 70´s-early 80´s, possibly the best of the whole 80´s until Chang and Agassi.Of course, excepting JMac´s great results in 1984.

 

[kiki]

Leconte close to Lendl? first notice really

What I recall vividly is how much Lendl and Noah, Leconte´s buddy and DC mate HATED each other- with great press conferences by the way to attest it-

 

[kiki]

Excellent post (as usual in this section).
He was as fast as anyone I have ever seen but lacked a killer weapon - a little like Brad Gilbert in that respect.

Sorry but Gilbert would only dream about being compared to Vitas.He never got any close to him .

 

[kiki]

Gerulaitis trade mark was his complete all round, nicely balanced game,Sound technically, perfectly executed even if some grip problems made his FH out of timing many times.His touch and fast legs made a dangerous volleyer out of him.But his main problem was a poor serve for top player standarts.

Played equally well in all 4 surfaces.

 

[kiki]

Noah and Ivan were not buy any means drinking buddies but there was no hate.........Ivan was a bit of a square (ha) and Noah was a pot smoking border line bohemian living in The Village in NYC -

but Riton worked out with Ivan and shared a love of fast cars, cigars and golf.

When Noah beat Lendl at the 1982 Palm Spring Finals, he broke something like a 40 consecutive wins streak from Lendl.Lendl gave some excuses for this loss and Noah answered to repporters: " You know, Ivan doesn´t lose very often these days.But when he does, he is a bad loser".

Yannick beat Ivan when he less expected, 1981 Richmond, 1982 Palm Springs and DC quarter finals, 1983 FO Qf and 1986 WCT Invitational at Forest Hills.Their mutual dislike goes from their junior days, which is the kind of hate you don´t solve easily (Lendl and Mac´s rivalry also started in their junior days)

 

[Tshooter]

In Jimmy Connors book he wrote Vitas died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a 3 inch piece of pipe that wasn't installed on a heat pump on a recent repair. Vitas was staying in a guest house by the pool. According to Connors they were really good friends.

The second thing I thought of after thinking, wow, that's expensive for a smoke/carbon dioxide detector was Vitas, who anyone into tennis at a certain period of time in NY will remember died of CO2 poisoning (I seem to recall out in Southhampton, L.I. while sleeping in someones guest cottage).

I bet they will sell a lot of these:

http://nest.com/smoke-co-alarm/life-with-nest-protect/

 

[Paul Murphy]

He lacked plainly and simply a big weapon and the intensity and will of Borg,Connors and Mc Enroe.His prime coming from 1977 to 1982, i think he never played better tennis than in the period comprising 1979 USO and 1980 Fo with a highlight at the Masters and, specially, the Forest Hills WCT event.

This was my point: "He lacked plainly and simply a big weapon."

As did Gilbert - that was the only comparison I was drawing.
I did not say or intimate that they were of similar ability - they were not - just that they lacked a big weapon.
Vitas was far and away the more accomplished player.

 

[Paul Murphy]

Sorry but Gilbert would only dream about being compared to Vitas.He never got any close to him .

See my post above.

 

[Paul Murphy]

Vitas was a super volleyer - his slice backhand was money - FH solid - but his speed set everything up.

Go watch the DVD sold everywhere of the 1977 Wimby SF vs Borg.........amazing stuff. Gilbert was a pure junkballer and used his brain more than his strokes (I'm a huge Gilbert fan btw).

I agree and I restate that I was merely pointing out that both lacked a big weapon - that is where my comparison ended.
As you say his FH was "solid" - not big.
As for Gilbert he had a "style" all his own and there can be no comparison with Vitas and nor was I making one, except in the sense of lacking a big weapon.

 

[HackersRUs]

Vitas was a super volleyer - his slice backhand was money - FH solid - but his speed set everything up.

Go watch the DVD sold everywhere of the 1977 Wimby SF vs Borg.........amazing stuff. Gilbert was a pure junkballer and used his brain more than his strokes (I'm a huge Gilbert fan btw).

why do people always say this as though it was somehow true?

sure, Gilbert DID junkball, a lot, but to say that was all he could do is just foolishness..

here, watch this against the TTW darling Becker..

those BHs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T17zqevDMBw

 

[kiki]

This was my point: "He lacked plainly and simply a big weapon."

As did Gilbert - that was the only comparison I was drawing.
I did not say or intimate that they were of similar ability - they were not - just that they lacked a big weapon.
Vitas was far and away the more accomplished player.

I gottya

I know that is what you probably meant.

 

[Rosewall]

Connors (another Vitas friend -- see Hoodjem's post on page 1) lumped Vitas in the same category as Ille Nastase -- naturally gifted, could hit any shot, great athlete, loved to party and didn't take tennis too seriously. Pretty much everyone's conclusion. I remember watching him and he was graceful with awesome touch. The thing I most remember about Gerulaitis is he had a weak serve. Like he did with Connors, Mac would come to the net on Vitas' first serve. OUCH!

Sub-thread: Another Euro that did not like Lendl was Mecir. I remember a match where they were both top 10 and Mecir was mocking Lendl for being an idiot about something and Lendl was FURIOUS. Next chance he had with Mecir at the net, Lendl hit a forehand as hard as he could at Miloslav. I thought, "hey, Ivan does that with everyone, not just McEnroe!"

 

[Paul Murphy]

I gottya

I know that is what you probably meant.

A little simple or a bit slow?
I'm not sure but all the best with it anyway.

 

[HackersRUs]

A little simple or a bit slow?
I'm not sure but all the best with it anyway.

if it's any consolation, I understood exactly what you meant the first time...

 

[Ronaldo]

Vitas was a super volleyer - his slice backhand was money - FH solid - but his speed set everything up.

Go watch the DVD sold everywhere of the 1977 Wimby SF vs Borg.........amazing stuff. Gilbert was a pure junkballer and used his brain more than his strokes (I'm a huge Gilbert fan btw).

IMHO the 77 SF is the best match ever played at Wimbledon. Even better than the 80 and 08 Finals.

 

[HackersRUs]

IMHO the 77 SF is the best match ever played at Wimbledon. Even better than the 80 and 08 Finals.

it was a brilliant match to be sure..

 

[Tshooter]

Connors (another Vitas friend -- see Hoodjem's post on page 1) lumped Vitas in the same category as Ille Nastase -- naturally gifted, could hit any shot, great athlete, loved to party and didn't take tennis too seriously. Pretty much everyone's conclusion. I remember watching him and he was graceful with awesome touch. The thing I most remember about Gerulaitis is he had a weak serve. Like he did with Connors, Mac would come to the net on Vitas' first serve. OUCH!

Sub-thread: Another Euro that did not like Lendl was Mecir. I remember a match where they were both top 10 and Mecir was mocking Lendl for being an idiot about something and Lendl was FURIOUS. Next chance he had with Mecir at the net, Lendl hit a forehand as hard as he could at Miloslav. I thought, "hey, Ivan does that with everyone, not just McEnroe!"

Maybe this is a friend (Connors) speaking because that description of his game is ridiculous. He was in no way in the talent class of Nastase, who was among the most talented players to ever play. Ashe used to say that players did not clap for other pros, with the exception of Nastase who could hit shots none of the rest could. Vitas not only didn't have Nastase level talent he had glaring deficiencies in his game. Every shot ? Only if you exclude the serve, the most important shot in the game, and the backhand. Vitas first serve was adequate; his second serve stunk. Can you recall another top pro that routinely double faulted on key points -- on match points ! His backhand slice was good. His topspin -- stunk. He had a very weak pass off the backhand side. His best "shot" was his movement and his forehand. He also had a very good volley. There was nothing particularly graceful about his shots. Especially the two weak ones: serve and topspin backhand. he would not have survived in today's game where you can't have any glaring weaknesses and crack the top 10 for any length of time. Yes, he liked to party and he was a nice guy. My friends and I used to bump into him in Roslyn. I think he lived in Kings Point or Sands Point, I forget which.

As I alluded to earlier it was a shocking waste how he died. Keep those batteries fresh in the smoke detector people. $2 can save a life.

 

[Paul Murphy]

if it's any consolation, I understood exactly what you meant the first time...

Thanks.

I really didn't think it was that complex a point to grasp.
All the best.

 

[kiki]

Maybe this is a friend (Connors) speaking because that description of his game is ridiculous. He was in no way in the talent class of Nastase, who was among the most talented players to ever play. Ashe used to say that players did not clap for other pros, with the exception of Nastase who could hit shots none of the rest could. Vitas not only didn't have Nastase level talent he had glaring deficiencies in his game. Every shot ? Only if you exclude the serve, the most important shot in the game, and the backhand. Vitas first serve was adequate; his second serve stunk. Can you recall another top pro that routinely double faulted on key points -- on match points ! His backhand slice was good. His topspin -- stunk. He had a very weak pass off the backhand side. His best "shot" was his movement and his forehand. He also had a very good volley. There was nothing particularly graceful about his shots. Especially the two weak ones: serve and topspin backhand. he would not have survived in today's game where you can't have any glaring weaknesses and crack the top 10 for any length of time. Yes, he liked to party and he was a nice guy. My friends and I used to bump into him in Roslyn. I think he lived in Kings Point or Sands Point, I forget which.

As I alluded to earlier it was a shocking waste how he died. Keep those batteries fresh in the smoke detector people. $2 can save a life.

Tshooter, yes Vitas death was a stupid disgrace...and yes, he was not as talented as Nastase.He had a much " worked" or " drill out game" but he had great talent nonetheless.