If you think Nadal overplays during the claycourt season, compare him to Muster!

[JennyS]

check out his 1995 spring and summer claycourt schedule. I counted 59 matches in a 5 month period. Unreal!

Estoril, Portugal; 03.04.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 32
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Oscar Martinez (ESP) 70 W 6-4, 6-1
R16 Franco Davin (ARG) 81 W 7-5, 6-1
Q Javier Sanchez (ESP) 39 W 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4
S Emilio Sanchez (ESP) 102 W 6-2, 6-4
W Albert Costa (ESP) 58 W 6-4, 6-2

Barcelona, Spain; 10.04.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 56
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Jordi Burillo (ESP) 127 W 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2
R32 Andrei Cherkasov (RUS) 280 W 6-3, 6-2
R16 Javier Sanchez (ESP) 34 W 7-6(5), 6-4
Q Carlos Costa (ESP) 62 W 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
S Yevgeny Kafelnikov (RUS) 5 W 6-3, 6-3
W Magnus Larsson (SWE) 12 W 6-2, 6-1, 6-4

ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo, Monaco; 24.04.1995; SU; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 56
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Guy Forget (FRA) 27 W 6-2, 6-2
R32 Bernd Karbacher (GER) 22 W 6-2, 6-2
R16 Alberto Berasategui (ESP) 8 W 7-6(6), 6-2
Q David Wheaton (USA) 35 W 6-4, 6-4
S Andrea Gaudenzi (ITA) 20 W 6-3, 7-6(5)
W Boris Becker (GER) 3 W 4-6, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(6), 6-0


ATP Masters Series Rome, Italy; 15.05.1995; SU; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 64
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Paul Haarhuis (NED) 30 W 6-4, 6-4
R32 Jan Siemerink (NED) 52 W 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
R16 Bohdan Ulihrach (CZE) 84 W 6-2, 6-2
Q Michael Chang (USA) 5 W 6-3, 6-2
S Wayne Ferreira (RSA) 6 W 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
W Sergi Bruguera (ESP) 7 W 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-3
This Event Points: 504, South African Airways ATP Ranking: 10, Prize Money: $277,000

Roland Garros, France; 29.05.1995; GS; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 128
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R128 Gerard Solves (FRA) 191 W 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1
R64 Cedric Pioline (FRA) 58 W 6-1, 6-3, 6-3
R32 Carlos Costa (ESP) 69 W 6-3, 7-5, 6-2
R16 Andrei Medvedev (UKR) 18 W 6-3, 6-3, 6-0
Q Albert Costa (ESP) 36 W 6-2, 3-6, 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-2
S Yevgeny Kafelnikov (RUS) 9 W 6-4, 6-0, 6-4
W Michael Chang (USA) 6 W 7-5, 6-2, 6-4


St. Poelten, Austria; 19.06.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 32
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Filip Dewulf (BEL) 140 W 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3
R16 Alex Lopez Moron (ESP) 105 W 6-2, 6-2
Q Rodolphe Gilbert (FRA) 139 W 6-2, 6-2
S Stefano Pescosolido (ITA) 170 W 6-0, 3-6, 6-4
W Bohdan Ulihrach (CZE) 68 W 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
This Event Points: 163, South African Airways ATP Ranking: 4, Prize Money: $50,000

(skipped Wimbledon!)

Gstaad, Switzerland; 10.07.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 32
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Alex Corretja (ESP) 22 L 5-7, 1-6

Stuttgart Outdoor, Germany; 17.07.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 48
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Bye N/A W
R32 Marcelo Rios (CHI) 53 W 6-2, 6-4
R16 Bernd Karbacher (GER) 34 W 6-4, 6-2
Q Tomas Carbonell (ESP) 90 W 6-2, 6-0
S Sergi Bruguera (ESP) 11 W 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-2
W Jan Apell (SWE) 102 W 6-2, 6-2


Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 24.07.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 32
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Martin Sinner (GER) 56 W 6-2, 6-3
R16 Marcelo Filippini (URU) 82 L W/O

Kitzbuhel, Austria; 31.07.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 48
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R64 Bye N/A W
R32 Steve Campbell (USA) 138 W 6-3, 6-3 Stats
R16 Frederik Fetterlein (DEN) 85 W 6-3, 6-3
Q Sandor Noszaly (HUN) 144 W 7-6(1), 6-3
S Gilbert Schaller (AUT) 26 W 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-3
F Albert Costa (ESP) 27 L 6-4, 4-6, 6-7(3), 6-2, 4-6
This Event Points: 140, South African Airways ATP Ranking: 3, Prize Money: $29,900

San Marino, San Marino; 07.08.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 32
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Marcelo Filippini (URU) 79 W 6-4, 6-2
R16 Felix Mantilla (ESP) 145 W 6-3, 6-2
Q Adrian Voinea (ROU) 62 W 7-6(7), 2-6, 6-4
S Stefano Pescosolido (ITA) 93 W 6-4, 6-2
W Andrea Gaudenzi (ITA) 25 W 6-2, 6-0


Umag, Croatia; 21.08.1995; GP; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 32
Round Opponent Ranking Score
R32 Roberto Carretero (ESP) 140 W 6-2, 3-0 RET
R16 Alejo Mancisidor (ESP) 181 W 6-3, 6-1
Q Jordi Arrese (ESP) 57 W 6-1, 6-3
S Francisco Clavet (ESP) 47 W 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(3)
W Carlos Costa (ESP) 46 W 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4

(and then played the US Open which started the day after Umag!)

So to sum things up....
April:

 

[darthpwner]

Muster=Physical BEAST

 

[drwood]

I remember that Monte Carlo final against Becker -- Muster almost couldn't play b/c of exhaustion; that plus Becker being up 2 sets was Becker's best ever chance for a title on clay.

Also that year, Muster was owned in the US Open 4th rd by Courier (who owned him on all surfaces, including clay).

 

[benz1]

sometimes i wonder if serena williams eats egg yolks or premature babies before a match... your thoughts?

 

[lambielspins]

I remember that Monte Carlo final against Becker -- Muster almost couldn't play b/c of exhaustion; that plus Becker being up 2 sets was Becker's best ever chance for a title on clay.

Also that year, Muster was owned in the US Open 4th rd by Courier (who owned him on all surfaces, including clay).

You almost wonder what would have happened had Costa not taken out Courier in the 95 French Open 4th round and he had played Muster again. Muster was by far the more confident and form player at the time, but Courier owns him so far. Only in 97 did Muster start doing well vs Courier.

 

[veroniquem]

Still, over 8 seasons (non consecutive), Muster won 8 masters and 1 slam. In 5 consecutive seasons (2005 to 2009) Nadal won 15 masters and 6 slams + the Olympics! Sorry but as much as a fitness freak Muster was, I'm still more impressed with Rafa.

 

[drwood]

Still, over 8 seasons (non consecutive), Muster won 8 masters and 1 slam. In 5 consecutive seasons (2005 to 2009) Nadal won 15 masters and 6 slams + the Olympics! Sorry but as much as a fitness freak Muster was, I'm still more impressed with Rafa.

Rafa is definitely more impressive than Muster, both on clay and overall. But that shouldn't take away from what Muster accomplished. People forget that in 1995 he also won the Madrid Masters on indoor HC beating prime Sampras in the semis in straight sets.

 

[veroniquem]

Rafa is definitely more impressive than Muster, both on clay and overall. But that shouldn't take away from what Muster accomplished. People forget that in 1995 he also won the Madrid Masters on indoor HC beating prime Sampras in the semis in straight sets.

Muster was amazing for 2 years: 1995 and 1996 when he won a bunch of masters and a slam.
What's so impressive about guys like Fed and Nadal though is how they can pull those resuts year after year for a long time. Look at those stats (the 9 master series started in 1990):
From 1990 to 1994: Sampras led the pack by winning 10 "major tournaments" (5 slams and 5 masters), followed by Courier: 9 (4 slams and 5 masters).
1995 to 1999: Sampras is #1 again with 12 (7 slams and 5 masters), then Agassi with 9 (3 slams and 6 masters).
2000 to 2004: Agassi:10 (3 slams + 7 masters), Federer 8 (4 slams + 4 masters).
2005 to 2009: Federer: 23 (11 slams + 12 masters)
Nadal: 21 (6 slams and 15 masters)
:shock::shock: Those guys' winning rates are insane.
BTW I deliberately left master cup out as the format and rules (like being able to win the tournament while losing a match) of it are very different from any other tournament and only 8 players can participate.

 

[drwood]

Muster was amazing for 2 years: 1995 and 1996 when he won a bunch of masters and a slam.
What's so impressive about guys like Fed and Nadal though is how they can pull those resuts year after year for a long time. Look at those stats (the 9 master series started in 1990):
From 1990 to 1994: Sampras led the pack by winning 10 "major tournaments" (5 slams and 5 masters), followed by Courier: 9 (4 slams and 5 masters).
1995 to 1999: Sampras is #1 again with 12 (7 slams and 5 masters), then Agassi with 9 (3 slams and 6 masters).
2000 to 2004: Agassi:10 (3 slams + 7 masters), Federer 8 (4 slams + 4 masters).
2005 to 2009: Federer: 23 (11 slams + 12 masters)
Nadal: 21 (6 slams and 15 masters)
:shock::shock: Those guys' winning rates are insane.
BTW I deliberately left master cup out as the format and rules (like being able to win the tournament while losing a match) of it are very different from any other tournament and only 8 players can participate.

Fed and Nadal are awesome, but the fields of today aren't as strong as the fields of the 90s, so its a little easier to dominate today. However, the degree to which Fed and Nadal have dominated are impressive in any era.

If Sampras was truly on par with Fed, he would have dominated his era more than he did.

 

[The-Champ]

Fed and Nadal are awesome, but the fields of today aren't as strong as the fields of the 90s, so its a little easier to dominate today. However, the degree to which Fed and Nadal have dominated are impressive in any era.

If Sampras was truly on par with Fed, he would have dominated his era more than he did.

But you claim fed and Rafa's era is WEAK compared to Sampras' in the 90s.


Could that be the reason Pete couldn't dominate at the same extent as Federer?

 

[drwood]

But you claim fed and Rafa's era is WEAK compared to Sampras' in the 90s.


Could that be the reason Pete couldn't dominate at the same extent as Federer?

I never said the current era is weak...its just weaker than the 90s field, which is why its slightly easier to dominate today -- emphasis on SLIGHTLY.

That's why Pete should have dominated his era only SLIGHTLY less than Fed has -- clearly that hasn't been the case, which is why Fed is better than Pete.

 

[veroniquem]

Fed and Nadal are awesome, but the fields of today aren't as strong as the fields of the 90s, so its a little easier to dominate today. However, the degree to which Fed and Nadal have dominated are impressive in any era.

If Sampras was truly on par with Fed, he would have dominated his era more than he did.

Maybe but you said yourself the competition was stronger. Anyway Sampras was less good on clay that Fed, that's undeniable.

 

[drwood]

Maybe but you said yourself the competition was stronger. Anyway Sampras was less good on clay that Fed, that's undeniable.

The competition in the 90s was stronger -- SLIGHTLY stronger. Nadal would have dominated clay in the 90s more than Muster, Guga or Courier did.

Fed is light years ahead of Pete on clay, markedly better on slow hard courts and today's Wimbledon grass, and is a toss-up on fast grass and fast HC (though I'd give the edge to Fed on fast HC b/c of his superior physical conditioning compared with Sampras).

 

[The-Champ]

I never said the current era is weak...its just weaker than the 90s field, which is why its slightly easier to dominate today -- emphasis on SLIGHTLY.

That's why Pete should have dominated his era only SLIGHTLY less than Fed has -- clearly that hasn't been the case, which is why Fed is better than Pete.

with 'slightly' you mean....on grass at wimbledon for instance.. Rafter, ivanisevic, Becker, Stich are slightly better than Nadal and Roddick?


On clay at the FO...Courier, Guga, Muster and Bruguera are slightly better than Monfils, Haas, Davydenko?

 

[veroniquem]

The competition in the 90s was stronger -- SLIGHTLY stronger. Nadal would have dominated clay in the 90s more than Muster, Guga or Courier did.

Fed is light years ahead of Pete on clay, markedly better on slow hard courts and today's Wimbledon grass, and is a toss-up on fast grass and fast HC (though I'd give the edge to Fed on fast HC b/c of his superior physical conditioning compared with Sampras).

I would say Fed is as good as Sampras on fast surfaces but better than him on slower ones. That's because he relies a little less on his serve and his return game is better.

 

[veroniquem]

with 'slightly' you mean....on grass at wimbledon for instance.. Rafter, ivanisevic, Becker, Stich are slightly better than Nadal and Roddick?


On clay at the FO...Courier, Guga, Muster and Bruguera are slightly better than Monfils, Haas, Davydenko?

Lol hilarious question but you have to agree that Sampras didn't just lose to the guys you mention on clay...

 

[The-Champ]

Lol hilarious question but you have to agree that Sampras didn't just lose to the guys you mention on clay...

I know, but if Pete didn't have to play some of those guys at the FO, he might have won a title at Roland Garros. Anyway, just a speculation.

 

[Steve132]

I know, but if Pete didn't have to play some of those guys at the FO, he might have won a title at Roland Garros. Anyway, just a speculation.

No - he would have been stopped by Schaller or Delgado or Norman or some other player.