Lutz,Gorman,Riessen and Richey..who was the better plsyer

[goldenera]

Early 70 marked change of guards as US replaced Australia at the top of the game
Of course we know everything about Ashe and Smith and latter on Connors but..what msde the difference were the secondary yet great players like those 4

Imo,talent wise Lutz is the best..but he was prompt to injuries and never developed full potential..except in doubles as he and Smith were such a strong team..he was like Riessen,a WCT stelward playing 2 Dallas finals and reaching,against Ashe a winter final after eliminating Newcombe

Won some wct titles like Cologne vs Kodes and lost to Orantes a Spanish Ooen final..and won 3 DC..Gorman won 2

Tom and Marty are my second choice.Gorman beat Lsver at Wimbly where he reached sf as he also did at RG and Masters..in the 72 Masters he retired just before he was about to beat Smith,his DC mate in their sf..he kew he was injuried and would not be able to face Nastase in the final..what a class act¡¡
He also bested young Borg at the Stockholm Open final in 73
Riessen had excellent wct results 3 times qualifying for Dallas..lost to Borg the then important Boston final and beat Gerulaitis to win the very impoetant Philadelphia title in 75
He was superb at doubles winning majors with Ashe,Okker and later on he had a great partnership with Stewart
Richey,like her famous sister Nancy was a dogged competitor.Won the first Grand Prix race in 70,ehen he beat Laver at MSG and played a US Open sf vs Ashe in 72
So its is a close race.In a way,the US second unit made a big difference imo.Later on that quartet would be replaced by the likes of Dibbs,Solomon,Stockton,Gottfried..very steady as Gorman,Lutz,Riessen,Richey..
Which is your pick?

 

[KG1965]

Great thread and tremendously difficult question.

I didn't know Lutz suffered from injuries, he was crystal clear talent. Beautiful shots/movements.

As singles wins probably Richey was the best, he had a fantastic summer in 1970 that he didn't repeat, but so did Riessen. Marty played strong, especially for that very heavy big title he won at Phila in 1975.

Tom Gorman never considered it properly.

1) Richey
2) Riessen
3) Lutz
4) Gorman

including Gottfried, Dibbs, Stockton, Tanner, Solomon
1) Richey
2) Tanner
3) Gottfried
4) Dibbs
5) Solomon
6) Riessen
7) Stockton
8) Lutz
9) Gorman

And Graebner ?

 

[goldenera]

Great thread and tremendously difficult question.

I didn't know Lutz suffered from injuries, he was crystal clear talent. Beautiful shots/movements.

As singles wins probably Richey was the best, he had a fantastic summer in 1970 that he didn't repeat, but so did Riessen. Marty played strong, especially for that very heavy big title he won at Phila in 1975.

Tom Gorman never considered it properly.

1) Richey
2) Riessen
3) Lutz
4) Gorman

including Gottfried, Dibbs, Stockton, Tanner, Solomon
1) Richey
2) Tanner
3) Gottfried
4) Dibbs
5) Solomon
6) Riessen
7) Stockton
8) Lutz
9) Gorman

And Graebner ?

Tanner was a bit better..a semichampion in my book
Gorman had the best slam results by far but wct players did not play many of them so it is unfair to Lutz and Riessen
Richey did poorly compared to Gorman who beat..Laver at Wimb

 

[goldenera]

And Gorman won 2 Davis Cups
It is close between Lutz ,Gorman,Riessen with Richey behind

 

[urban]

Talent: Bob Lutz, was muscular built like Nadal now, with the biggest racket arm this side of Rod Laver. I actually saw him play and win Cologne 1971 with a great indoor win in quarters over Laver and a win over Jeff Borowiak in the final. Had some injury problems and in singles was always a bit in the shadow of Stan Smith, his doubles partner.
Best peak: probably Clark Kent Graebner. Had a big serve, a strong, a bit predictable power game. Was World Nr. 5 in 1968, reaching both semis at Wim and Forest Hills and had a fine Davis Cup campaign. Was US finalist 1967 and lost a tough quarter to Roche at Wim 1969.
Best mentality: Cliff Richey. Short, but stocky, excellent forehand return, a proto-Connors, with eyes like flames. Was world Nr. 5 in 1970, won the Grand Prix points race in 1970.
Most resilient: Marty Riessen, was tough campaigner on the tough WCT circuit for many years with wins here and there (Tehran, Philly), always a big obstabcle in quarters or last 16 for the top guys. But never got really deep in majors.
Tom Gorman was fine allround player, but had back problems, which hurt him at special stages of his career, at Wim 1971 or Masters 1971. Good Davic Cup player, although his lost his singles in 1972 and 1973 finals.

 

[goldenera]

Pretty well summoned up
Pasarell,Ralston and Froehling
were underachievers..and mostly late 60 players

 

[goldenera]

Loved handsone 8
Very modern looks for what tennis was by 1968
Many called them The Handsone 7..and Tony Roche

 

[goldenera]

Consider how well did Lutz and Riessen in doubles
Lutz always played with Smith
Riessen teamed up with Ashe,Okker,Stewart