Ljubicic in the 90's?

[Bilbo]

Well, considering the fact that Nadalfan currently has only 3 Nadal based threads out, this is the second of three for me.

I was scanning the 90's Austalian Open draws, and i found that two years in particular would've been perfect for Ivan Ljubicic to dominate (considering he's at 2006 form). I mean, seriously, in 1998 Sampras was eliminated, so all Ljubicic would've had to deal with was:

Berasategui, whom ljubicic would've blasted of the court with his serve;

Rios the headcase (i think this speaks for itself) whom Ljubicic would've frustrated with his calm demeanor and patient approach to the game;

Nicolas Escude (well, who the hell is he);

Old man Bjorkman who has no weapons to hurt Ljubu with, and, i suppose his biggest challenge,

Petr Korda. Korda, IMO falls into the same category as Kief Kief and Bjorkman... no weapons, and nothing to hurt Ljubicic with.

IMHO it is very plausible that Ljubicic could've won at least 1 australian open in the late 90's if not more. I also would go to the extent as to say that, if playing at his 2006 form, he could've reached #2 in the world.

 

[Blinkism]

How about Orantes in the 90's?

 

[GameSampras]

Petr Korda on his A game could demolish anyone today I feel.. Did you guys actually get a chance to see Korda at his peak which very short? Like the USO?

He was a deadly deadly player.. Alot like Krajieck when he reached that top level of play.. Very scary player


As for Ljubicic.. he doesnt see any success in any era

 

[GameSampras]

Rios is very underrated around here. A total headcase but very talented and could give anyone a run for their money especially on clay when he actually showed up to play.

 

[drwood]

Petr Korda on his A game could demolish anyone today I feel.. Did you guys actually get a chance to see Korda at his peak which very short? Like the USO?

He was a deadly deadly player.. Alot like Krajieck when he reached that top level of play.. Very scary player

As for Ljubicic.. he doesnt see any success in any era

I saw Korda at his peak (which was basically from Fall 97 until March 98 + his 92 French open final run). He was very impressive, but not moreso than Soderling during his French run -- shotmaking without a lot of variety. Of course, he was shortly found to be guilty of doping, so we don't know whether that 97-98 peak was PED-induced or not.

PEDs or not, Korda would have been owned by Fed or Nadal on every surface -- too inconsistent on long rallies if he couldn't overpower someone who was fast enough to retrieve his shots. When on, one of the best shotmakers I've ever seen, but not in the league of Fed or Nadal.

I agree with you about Ljubicic, though.

 

[drwood]

Rios is very underrated around here. A total headcase but very talented and could give anyone a run for their money especially on clay when he actually showed up to play.

Rios was dangerous on HC or clay -- his 97 US Open QF against Chang when he forced a 5th set after losing the first two was the real start of his run.

Agassi was fortunate that Rios tanked, b/c Rios would have owned him for the next 5-6 years if he hadn't fired Stefanki in 98.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

sugestion for another thread
:

And the leader in ranking point is not...

Ljubicic...

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

I did a thread on which players from this era (Davydenko, Blake, Gonzo, Ancic, Ljubicic) would win a slam in the 90s.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=279110

Ljubo got 1 vote. Oh, that was from you Bilbo!

I don't think he's consistent enough from the ground and has enough variety to win a slam in any era.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Petr Korda on his A game could demolish anyone today I feel.. Did you guys actually get a chance to see Korda at his peak which very short? Like the USO?

He was a deadly deadly player.. Alot like Krajieck when he reached that top level of play.. Very scary player


As for Ljubicic.. he doesnt see any success in any era

I actually think some of youre posts are very good...not this one however, are you saying that Korda would demolish Nadal Federer and Murray?? Thats never gonna happen in a million years.
The only players from the 90`s who would be a threat to todays top players are: Well, Pete of course, Andre, Stefan Edberg (on fast surfaces), and Goran on grass. Noone else!

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Rios was dangerous on HC or clay -- his 97 US Open QF against Chang when he forced a 5th set after losing the first two was the real start of his run.

Agassi was fortunate that Rios tanked, b/c Rios would have owned him for the next 5-6 years if he hadn't fired Stefanki in 98.

Maybe...maybe not, do you know the story of Rios and Stefanki? Why and when he fired him?:twisted:

 

[GameSampras]

I actually think some of youre posts are very good...not this one however, are you saying that Korda would demolish Nadal Federer and Murray?? Thats never gonna happen in a million years.
The only players from the 90`s who would be a threat to todays top players are: Well, Pete of course, Andre, Stefan Edberg (on fast surfaces), and Goran on grass. Noone else!

On a consistent basis? No.. of course not. He was far to erratic and streaky overrall. On his top level A game, I think Korda would be a major problem for alot of players.. Yes I do.


Hence why I said Korda's "A game"

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

On a consistent basis? No.. of course not. He was far to erratic and streaky overrall. On his top level A game, I think Korda would be a major problem for alot of players.. Yes I do.


Hence why I said Korda's "A game"

Ok, fair enough...But Fed Nadal and Murray would have had to have a TERRIBLE day and Korda the best ever, then we have ourselves a match.

 

[drwood]

Maybe...maybe not, do you know the story of Rios and Stefanki? Why and when he fired him?:twisted:

My understanding of it is this: Rios reached #1 around April 98 and that summer sent Stefanki a fax firing him. Stefanki called him and asked why, and Rios said "I want to go in a different direction", to which Stefanki said "You're the #1 player in the world!".

Shortly thereafter, Rios got his wish -- he quickly went in a different direction and slid off the map. Stefanki went on to coach Kafelnikov, who became #1 the next year.

If you have any other details though, I'd be happy to learn .

 

[drwood]

I actually think some of youre posts are very good...not this one however, are you saying that Korda would demolish Nadal Federer and Murray?? Thats never gonna happen in a million years.
The only players from the 90`s who would be a threat to todays top players are: Well, Pete of course, Andre, Stefan Edberg (on fast surfaces), and Goran on grass. Noone else!

I'd also have to include Becker -- even past his prime, he could trouble Nadal on fast surfaces -- not Federer, though. Courier from 91-93 could challenge anyone on clay, and would beat Nadal and Murray on HC.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

I'd also have to include Becker -- even past his prime, he could trouble Nadal on fast surfaces -- not Federer, though. Courier from 91-93 could challenge anyone on clay, and would beat Nadal and Murray on HC.

I know, i was supposed to inclube B.B but forgot it, definetely a threat in fast I-C and grass.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

My understanding of it is this: Rios reached #1 around April 98 and that summer sent Stefanki a fax firing him. Stefanki called him and asked why, and Rios said "I want to go in a different direction", to which Stefanki said "You're the #1 player in the world!".

Shortly thereafter, Rios got his wish -- he quickly went in a different direction and slid off the map. Stefanki went on to coach Kafelnikov, who became #1 the next year.

If you have any other details though, I'd be happy to learn .

Thats right, well the main-reason he fired him was because Stefanki had a clausul in his contract that if Rios reeached the no1 position Stefanki would get 100,000 USD in a bonus, so he tried to fire him a couple of days before (he knew he would be no1 on Monday) he got there:shock: Idiot!! Ive got lots of stories about Rios since ive talked to Peter Lundgren (Feds former coach,now Dimitrovs), lets just say, he is not the sharpest knife in the box!

 

[GameSampras]

Becker couldnt give Fed problems on faster surfaces? I beg to differ there guys.

 

[grafselesfan]

Korda in his 98 Australian Open form would have most likely beaten Ljubicic. I agree he might have been able to make the final if he was in the other half but I dont see him winning the final vs Korda. Anyway Ljubicic is yet another choker, he choked the Madrid final to Rafa in 2005 from way up, and vs Baghdatis in 2006. Heck he had an easy draw to the final in 2006 with really only perennial slam semifinal choking Nalbandian in his way and didnt make it, so probably wouldnt have in 98 either even withe draw collapsing.

 

[GameSampras]

I feel Becker would give Fed all he could handle at Wimbeldon and Carpet. Becker is probably the greatest indoor carpet player thats ever lived

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Becker couldnt give Fed problems on faster surfaces? I beg to differ there guys.

?? I didnt say he couldnt, i just included him with Edberg Ivanisevic Sampras and Agassi as someone who would give the top-players of today trouble once in a while...

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

I feel Becker would give Fed all he could handle at Wimbeldon and Carpet. Becker is probably the greatest indoor carpet player thats ever lived

I agree, and since many of the indoor-tournaments were held in Germany,he was even stronger.

 

[flying24]

I feel Becker would give Fed all he could handle at Wimbeldon and Carpet. Becker is probably the greatest indoor carpet player thats ever lived

Are you talking about the Becker that played during the Sampras reign from 93 onwards? Keep in mind this is not prime Becker you are talking about. No I dont think that particular Becker would give Roger much trouble at Wimbledon. That Becker couldnt even beat Agassi on grass without Agassi choking (lost to him in 92, then collapsed with a big lead in 95), had to go to 9-7 in the 5th to beat Pioline at Wimbledon, lost to Kafelnikov on grass, was made to look like a mouse not only each time by Sampras by by Ivanisevic in 94. Becker of 93-97 could give Roger some competition indoors or on carpet I agree (where none of the 4 slams are played on) but that is it.

 

[drwood]

I feel Becker would give Fed all he could handle at Wimbeldon and Carpet. Becker is probably the greatest indoor carpet player thats ever lived

Becker is not better on indoor carpet than Federer -- who has won more year-end championships?

And Fed owns big servers (i.e. Safin, Ivanisevic, Roddick, Karlovic, Sampras)-- he has more trouble with retrievers who are mentally tough.

 

[bolo]

Well, considering the fact that Nadalfan currently has only 3 Nadal based threads out, this is the second of three for me.

I was scanning the 90's Austalian Open draws, and i found that two years in particular would've been perfect for Ivan Ljubicic to dominate (considering he's at 2006 form). I mean, seriously, in 1998 Sampras was eliminated, so all Ljubicic would've had to deal with was:

Berasategui, whom ljubicic would've blasted of the court with his serve;

Rios the headcase (i think this speaks for itself) whom Ljubicic would've frustrated with his calm demeanor and patient approach to the game;

Nicolas Escude (well, who the hell is he);

Old man Bjorkman who has no weapons to hurt Ljubu with, and, i suppose his biggest challenge,

Petr Korda. Korda, IMO falls into the same category as Kief Kief and Bjorkman... no weapons, and nothing to hurt Ljubicic with.

IMHO it is very plausible that Ljubicic could've won at least 1 australian open in the late 90's if not more. I also would go to the extent as to say that, if playing at his 2006 form, he could've reached #2 in the world.

I feel for you bilbo. Even a ljubcic board would have trouble starting 3 threads about the guy.

 

[flying24]

Becker is not better on indoor carpet than Federer -- who has won more year-end championships?

And Fed owns big servers (i.e. Safin, Ivanisevic, Roddick, Karlovic, Sampras)-- he has more trouble with retrievers who are mentally tough.

Prime Becker is as good or better than Federer on indoors/carpet, and not that far behind on grass. 93-97 Becker that Sampras faced wasnt prime Becker anyway though, so it is a moot point. By the way the year end Masters today is never played on carpet, and sometimes not even indoors.

 

[drwood]

Thats right, well the main-reason he fired him was because Stefanki had a clausul in his contract that if Rios reeached the no1 position Stefanki would get 100,000 USD in a bonus, so he tried to fire him a couple of days before (he knew he would be no1 on Monday) he got there:shock: Idiot!! Ive got lots of stories about Rios since ive talked to Peter Lundgren (Feds former coach,now Dimitrovs), lets just say, he is not the sharpest knife in the box!

Wow...good to know. Thanks!

Definitely one of the dumbest moves of all time -- although Roddick firing Brad Gilbert at the end of 2004 is up there.

 

[NamRanger]

I feel Becker would give Fed all he could handle at Wimbeldon and Carpet. Becker is probably the greatest indoor carpet player thats ever lived

McEnroe has a better indoor carpet record than Becker.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Wow...good to know. Thanks!

Definitely one of the dumbest moves of all time -- although Roddick firing Brad Gilbert at the end of 2004 is up there.

Yes it was, and it was even settled in court.
Absolutely, imo he should have hired Stefanki (i know he was busy then but still) at 22 years of age, what Connors did to Roddicks game...im still trying to find out.

 

[bolo]

Yes it was, and it was even settled in court.
Absolutely, imo he should have hired Stefanki (i know he was busy then but still) at 22 years of age, what Connors did to Roddicks game...im still trying to find out.

what was settled in court?

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

McEnroe has a better indoor carpet record than Becker.

Yes, Mcenroe was a monster on indoor-carpets, so was Lendl, but imo Becker has the edge over both of them.

 

[JoshDragon]

Well, considering the fact that Nadalfan currently has only 3 Nadal based threads out, this is the second of three for me.

I was scanning the 90's Austalian Open draws, and i found that two years in particular would've been perfect for Ivan Ljubicic to dominate (considering he's at 2006 form). I mean, seriously, in 1998 Sampras was eliminated, so all Ljubicic would've had to deal with was:

Berasategui, whom ljubicic would've blasted of the court with his serve;

Rios the headcase (i think this speaks for itself) whom Ljubicic would've frustrated with his calm demeanor and patient approach to the game;

Nicolas Escude (well, who the hell is he);

Old man Bjorkman who has no weapons to hurt Ljubu with, and, i suppose his biggest challenge,

Petr Korda. Korda, IMO falls into the same category as Kief Kief and Bjorkman... no weapons, and nothing to hurt Ljubicic with.

IMHO it is very plausible that Ljubicic could've won at least 1 australian open in the late 90's if not more. I also would go to the extent as to say that, if playing at his 2006 form, he could've reached #2 in the world.

Um...Bjorman wasn't an old man in the 90s.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

what was settled in court?

The bonus that was included in Stefankis contract with Rios (if he reached no1)

 

[Bilbo]

You guys are EXTREMELY underestimating how good of a player Ivan Ljubicic really is and was. The guy's serve would've been top 5 easily in the 90's, his one handed backhand would've been among the best, and his tennis IQ is extremely high, i.e. hardly ever makes stupid mistakes or goes for too much. I mean REALLY, lets look at Ljubu's big wins THIS year, a year in which he's trying to bounce bak. He's beaten the likes of Del Potro, Tsonga, and Simon twice... THIS YEAR. In his prime he was easily one of the best, hence his #3 ranking, and i guarantee you NO ONE (except maybe Federer and Nadal) wanted to play him.

Korda? The scissor kick guy? Good player? No doubt! But, if you think Ljubicic couldn't have hung with Rios, Escude, Kiefer, Kucera, and Bjorkman??? Then you are all sadly mistaken.

And, let's look at 1999. Todd Martin, whos career is VERY similar to Ljubicic's, was a quarterfinalist and a force at the Aussie Open. I think Ljubicic could've taken martin if Mal could. Pre-Prime Haas vs. a prime Ljubicic, id have to go with Ljubu. And then the competition in the quarters really drops from there in '99... you've got Enqvist, Rosset, and Lapentti. All of these fellows are beatable for a prime Ljubicic, and i dont think it's crazy to say they would've been beaten.

So, c'mon fellas, lets give the big guy a break. Is he an all-time great? Probably not. But for the 2 and a half years he was hot, he was sure as hell a hard opponent to handle.

 

[bolo]

The bonus that was included in Stefankis contract with Rios (if he reached no1)

thanks. 10 char.

 

[Bilbo]

Um...Bjorman wasn't an old man in the 90s.

I know... i just can't imagine the guy young... and the name fits;-)

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

You guys are EXTREMELY underestimating how good of a player Ivan Ljubicic really is and was. The guy's serve would've been top 5 easily in the 90's, his one handed backhand would've been among the best, and his tennis IQ is extremely high, i.e. hardly ever makes stupid mistakes or goes for too much. I mean REALLY, lets look at Ljubu's big wins THIS year, a year in which he's trying to bounce bak. He's beaten the likes of Del Potro, Tsonga, and Simon twice... THIS YEAR. In his prime he was easily one of the best, hence his #3 ranking, and i guarantee you NO ONE (except maybe Federer and Nadal) wanted to play him.

Korda? The scissor kick guy? Good player? No doubt! But, if you think Ljubicic couldn't have hung with Rios, Escude, Kiefer, Kucera, and Bjorkman??? Then you are all sadly mistaken.

And, let's look at 1999. Todd Martin, whos career is VERY similar to Ljubicic's, was a quarterfinalist and a force at the Aussie Open. I think Ljubicic could've taken martin if Mal could. Pre-Prime Haas vs. a prime Ljubicic, id have to go with Ljubu. And then the competition in the quarters really drops from there in '99... you've got Enqvist, Rosset, and Lapentti. All of these fellows are beatable for a prime Ljubicic, and i dont think it's crazy to say they would've been beaten.

So, c'mon fellas, lets give the big guy a break. Is he an all-time great? Probably not. But for the 2 and a half years he was hot, he was sure as hell a hard opponent to handle.

What matches that he has played gives you this idea?? Hes got a good serve but that`s basically it...He never won any big tournament (GS or MS)...My guess is that you are basing ur statement of some kind of flattering youtube-video of him? And u are talking about 1 slam, of course there are always slams thats gonna be less good if the top-players are injured or chokes or whatever.

 

[Bilbo]

What matches that he has played gives you this idea?? Hes got a good serve but that`s basically it...He never won any big tournament (GS or MS)...My guess is that you are basing ur statement of some kind of flattering youtube-video of him? And u are talking about 1 slam, of course there are always slams thats gonna be less good if the top-players are injured or chokes or whatever.

Cmon Magic man, dont be that way. If Ljubu is my favorite player of this era, don't you think I've seen damn near every televised match he's played in the last 3-4 years? Plus, lets be honest... no one even cares about Ljubicic enough to make a flattering youtube video of him... except me of course:twisted:.

Anyway, Todd Martin never won a grand slam or a Masters Series event, but he had several chances to win grand slams in the 90's and Ljubicic's career results have been very similar to those of Martin's. Also, IMO, you're doing Ljubucic's opponents a great disservice when you say he has NOTHING but a serve. If that's the case, then how has he posted wins over Murray, Roddick, Gonzalez, Del Potro, Tsonga, Davydenko etc? If all he has is a serve then one of two things must be true, either he has one of the Best Serves of the open era, or his Court IQ is OFF THE CHARTS.

 

[grafselesfan]

You guys are EXTREMELY underestimating how good of a player Ivan Ljubicic really is and was. The guy's serve would've been top 5 easily in the 90's, his one handed backhand would've been among the best, and his tennis IQ is extremely high, i.e. hardly ever makes stupid mistakes or goes for too much. I mean REALLY, lets look at Ljubu's big wins THIS year, a year in which he's trying to bounce bak. He's beaten the likes of Del Potro, Tsonga, and Simon twice... THIS YEAR. In his prime he was easily one of the best, hence his #3 ranking, and i guarantee you NO ONE (except maybe Federer and Nadal) wanted to play him.

Korda? The scissor kick guy? Good player? No doubt! But, if you think Ljubicic couldn't have hung with Rios, Escude, Kiefer, Kucera, and Bjorkman??? Then you are all sadly mistaken.

And, let's look at 1999. Todd Martin, whos career is VERY similar to Ljubicic's, was a quarterfinalist and a force at the Aussie Open. I think Ljubicic could've taken martin if Mal could. Pre-Prime Haas vs. a prime Ljubicic, id have to go with Ljubu. And then the competition in the quarters really drops from there in '99... you've got Enqvist, Rosset, and Lapentti. All of these fellows are beatable for a prime Ljubicic, and i dont think it's crazy to say they would've been beaten.

So, c'mon fellas, lets give the big guy a break. Is he an all-time great? Probably not. But for the 2 and a half years he was hot, he was sure as hell a hard opponent to handle.

What is most bizarre is you seemed to be arguing in some other threads that Rafa wouldnt do as well in other eras, that he benefited from a weak field, etc...However now here you are pimping up how well a brief fluke #3 like Ljubicic would do in another era, the same Ljubicic who at his career peak couldnt even baby 19 year old Rafa on a lightning fast indoor court, LOL!

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Cmon Magic man, dont be that way. If Ljubu is my favorite player of this era, don't you think I've seen damn near every televised match he's played in the last 3-4 years? Plus, lets be honest... no one even cares about Ljubicic enough to make a flattering youtube video of him... except me of course:twisted:.

Anyway, Todd Martin never won a grand slam or a Masters Series event, but he had several chances to win grand slams in the 90's and Ljubicic's career results have been very similar to those of Martin's. Also, IMO, you're doing Ljubucic's opponents a great disservice when you say he has NOTHING but a serve. If that's the case, then how has he posted wins over Murray, Roddick, Gonzalez, Del Potro, Tsonga, etc? If all he has is a serve then one of two things must be true, either he has one of the Best Serves of the open era, or his Court IQ is OFF THE CHARTS.

I feel your passion man, and i like it! Thats the way it should be.
Well to be able to answer that tricky question i would have to know at what point or what year he beat these guys? I didnt know this, good wins, my guess is since Ljubu is 30 (although some claims he is older) he probably beat these guys at his peak and when they were really young? Murray is 8 years younger than Ljubu, Roddick 3 years younger, Tsonga 6,Delpo 9!! Gonzalez is just 1 year younger.

 

[Bilbo]

What is most bizarre is you seemed to be arguing in some other threads that Rafa wouldnt do as well in other eras, that he benefited from a weak field, etc...However now here you are pimping up how well a brief fluke #3 like Ljubicic would do in another era, the same Ljubicic who at his career peak couldnt even baby 19 year old Rafa on a lightning fast indoor court, LOL!

Excuse me sir, im not pimping anyone or anything, how dare you insinuate that i'm "pimping" someone:?. I dont recall claiming that Nadal would not do well in other eras... i just said he wouldnt have won as many french opens. You say Ljubu lost to a 19 year old Nadal in 5 sets correct? If you think Nadal was not a good player at 19, you're sadly mistaken. You do understand that this is the same 19 year old who took prime Federer to 5 sets in Miami dont you? The same 19 year old who won Monte Carlo, Rome, and Canada IN ADDITION to Madrid. As a matter of fact, im sure there are many top 20 pros who TODAY wish they had the game of a 19 year old Nadal.

Also, why all the hatin on Ljubicic, did you have a brief run in with him in a bar or something? Golly, man, give the guy a break. He deserved and earned his #3 ranking. I find it insulting to him as a player to say he was a fluke. As i stated earlier, Ljubicic's career results are almost identical to those of Todd Martin, is Martin's success a fluke? You want a fluke? Gilles Simon. There's your fluke.

 

[grafselesfan]

Excuse me sir, im not pimping anyone or anything, how dare you insinuate that i'm "pimping" someone:?. I dont recall claiming that Nadal would not do well in other eras... i just said he wouldnt have won as many french opens. You say Ljubu lost to a 19 year old Nadal in 5 sets correct? If you think Nadal was not a good player at 19, you're sadly mistaken. As a matter of fact, im sure there are many top 20 pros who TODAY wish they had the game of a 19 year old Nadal.

Also, why all the hatin on Ljubicic, did you have a brief run in with him in a bar or something? Golly, man, give the guy a break. He deserved and earned his #3 ranking. I find it insulting to him as a player to say he was a fluke. As i stated earlier, Ljubicic's career results are almost identical to those of Todd Martin, is Martin's success a fluke? You want a fluke? Gilles Simon. There's your fluke.

I just looked over your posting history and as I thought I recalled you were talking in excess about how BOTH Federer and Nadal benefit so much from a joke field, that both arent that great, etc.....and would struggle so much in the 90s. That is all fine on its own, but then to turn around and talk how an extremely brief/flukish #3 like Ljubicic, who for the most part isnt even a top 20 player in this era, and who isnt even in the same stratosphere as Federer and Nadal would be so competitive in the 90s is comical. If Federer and Nadal would struggle to win slams in the 90s, Ljubicic would be buried off everyones radar in the 90s. And yes 19 year old Nadal in 2005 was a baby, nothing like even 21 year old Nadal, let alone 22 year old Nadal, and yet Ljubicic playing the tennis of his life on his by far favorite surface still couldnt beat baby Nadal on by far his worst surface.

I shouldnt be surprised when talking about someone who actually thinks Orantes would have the edge over Nadal on clay though. :lol:

 

[darthpwner]

Well, considering the fact that Nadalfan currently has only 3 Nadal based threads out, this is the second of three for me.

I was scanning the 90's Austalian Open draws, and i found that two years in particular would've been perfect for Ivan Ljubicic to dominate (considering he's at 2006 form). I mean, seriously, in 1998 Sampras was eliminated, so all Ljubicic would've had to deal with was:

Berasategui, whom ljubicic would've blasted of the court with his serve;

Rios the headcase (i think this speaks for itself) whom Ljubicic would've frustrated with his calm demeanor and patient approach to the game;

Nicolas Escude (well, who the hell is he);

Old man Bjorkman who has no weapons to hurt Ljubu with, and, i suppose his biggest challenge,

Petr Korda. Korda, IMO falls into the same category as Kief Kief and Bjorkman... no weapons, and nothing to hurt Ljubicic with.

IMHO it is very plausible that Ljubicic could've won at least 1 australian open in the late 90's if not more. I also would go to the extent as to say that, if playing at his 2006 form, he could've reached #2 in the world.

talented frenchman who led the country to davis cup in 2001. he could s&v and mightve achieved great things if not for injuries

 

[darthpwner]

Becker is not better on indoor carpet than Federer -- who has won more year-end championships?

And Fed owns big servers (i.e. Safin, Ivanisevic, Roddick, Karlovic, Sampras)-- he has more trouble with retrievers who are mentally tough.

There are like 0 carpet tournaments nowadays. year-end championships is indoor hard court not indoor carpet. Federer has 2 indoor carpet tournaments while Becker won 26

 

[darthpwner]

I feel Becker would give Fed all he could handle at Wimbeldon and Carpet. Becker is probably the greatest indoor carpet player thats ever lived

Ivan Lendl is the best indoor carpet player. 33 wins for Lendl and 26 for Becker on carpet

 

[grafselesfan]

Best indoor player ever is between Becker, Lendl, and Sampras. I would have to break down their stats a bit closer to make a definitive call there, but my gut tells me it is Becker by a hair. Then again Lendl was beating Becker in the ATP year end finals in years he was winning Wimbledon, and Sampras beat Becker in that amazing 96 final when Becker played probably as well as he ever has, so still a tough call.

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

Best indoor player ever is between Becker, Lendl, and Sampras. I would have to break down their stats a bit closer to make a definitive call there, but my gut tells me it is Becker by a hair. Then again Lendl was beating Becker in the ATP year end finals in years he was winning Wimbledon, and Sampras beat Becker in that amazing 96 final when Becker played probably as well as he ever has, so still a tough call.

Agree with this. You also have to throw McEnroe in the mix as well.

 

[Bilbo]

I just looked over your posting history and as I thought I recalled you were talking in excess about how BOTH Federer and Nadal benefit so much from a joke field, that both arent that great, etc.....and would struggle so much in the 90s. That is all fine on its own, but then to turn around and talk how an extremely brief/flukish #3 like Ljubicic, who for the most part isnt even a top 20 player in this era, and who isnt even in the same stratosphere as Federer and Nadal would be so competitive in the 90s is comical. If Federer and Nadal would struggle to win slams in the 90s, Ljubicic would be buried off everyones radar in the 90s. And yes 19 year old Nadal in 2005 was a baby, nothing like even 21 year old Nadal, let alone 22 year old Nadal, and yet Ljubicic playing the tennis of his life on his by far favorite surface still couldnt beat baby Nadal on by far his worst surface.

I shouldnt be surprised when talking about someone who actually thinks Orantes would have the edge over Nadal on clay though. :lol:

Hold on a second, even if I DID say that Nadal and Federer would struggle to win slams in the 90's, can i not change my mind? After actually LISTENING to the posts of other posters and having an OPEN MIND is it ok that ive changed my view? Also, you enjoy typing your posts in a condescending way instead of having at least a semi-open mind to what another poster is trying to convey. But NO, you must be correct. And it's so obvious that you are close minded to what im trying to say, because you won't even respond to certain parts of my post, completely ignoring them! Give me a break.

You also tend to make these empty criticisms of the big Croat. He's "not even top 20"? Really? Can you honestly give me 20 players that were better than him in this era? Really? And if so, name them for me. Have at it champ. I've already given you statistical proof that Ljubicic was as good of a player as Todd Martin, who thrived in the 90's. If Todd thrived in the 90's with a big serve, above average volleys and horrible movement, why couldn't Ljubicic?

You also reluctantly ignore the stats i gave you regarding Nadal's performance in Masters Events that year. And if you happened to miss it, it was very very good. You say that Ljubicic "couldn't even beat nadal", like Nadal is some pushover suck ass that cant win anything. When Nadal retires if he stays healthy he will most likely be considered one of the greatest of all time. Was Nadal pre prime? Yes! But to say it's embarrassing that Ljubicic lost to Nadal after beating Nalbandian (Ljubicic that is), you are sadly mistaken.