Major winner who seemed *destined to win*

[George Turner]

Occasionally fate seems to play a factor in sport, as though it chooses who the winner will be, defying all logic. In tennis which major did the stars align most perfectly for the winner?

Becker Wim 1985; Tennis needed a new *celebrity* star with Mcenroe and Connors past their best, Borg gone and Lendl/Wilander not very popular champions. They got it here, the raw unproven Becker playing a power brand of tennis that had never been seen before. He won two five setters including twice breaking to stay in the match in round 3. He should have been too raw to win aged 17 but he did.

Chang 1989 FO; Memorably beat Lendl in round 4 despite cramping, resorting to moonballs and an underarm serve. In the final against Edberg he also came back to win, with Edberg missing a number of break points in the fourth set. Chang said it was Gods purpose to allow me to win. He is the youngest ever major winner but never proved good enough to win another.

Ivanisevic 2001 Wmbledon; Having shown no form for a long time, it was controversial that he even got a Wildcard. Yet somehow he found his form for two weeks. A rain delay helped Goran turn his semi final vs Henman around. The final was a classic and being played on Monday it had a unique atmosphere. It seemed everything fell into place here for Goran to achieve the perfect redemption story.

Sampras 2002 USO; Pete was considered done, no titles in two years, motivation for the tour dulled and had been whooped in the past two US open finals by next gen Safin and Hewitt. After edging out Rusedski in round 3 Rusedski said Pete was a step and a half slower and predicted he would lose his next match. Instead Pete reached the final and who better to win against than Agassi. Somehow fate allowed Pete to discover his best form one more time and have the perfect ending.

Federer 2009 FO; Federers failure to land a FO was a big hole in his resume that seemed impossible to fill while Nadal was active. Somehow Nadal went out to Soderling, who he'd beaten 6-1 6-0 in Rome recently. In the same round Federer was two sets and breakpoint down against Haas, which he saved with a clutch forehand and turned the match around. He also struggled in the semi final, but eventually got the title. Fate seemed to give Federer this opportunity.

 

[Towser83]

Goran. The hollywood script of Wimbledons, and my favourite Wimbledon ever

 

[boredone3456]

Federer in 2009. After Rafa got bounced it was pretty much his to choke away.

I do give credit to Goran though, and Wimbledon was his baby, but it was never a sure thing that he was going to win that tournament.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Goran. The hollywood script of Wimbledons, and my favourite Wimbledon ever

Goran is my fav player of all time.

 

[Krish872007]

Goran. So many finals losses, entered the 2001 Championships as a wild card and had a memorable run. Henman should have put him away in the Semis but he was just destined to come back after the rain break and plough through.

 

[Spencer Gore]

Goran's was the only victory that had a truly cinematic, fairytale quality to it.

 

[buscemi]

Occasionally fate seems to play a factor in sport, as though it chooses who the winner will be, defying all logic. In tennis which major did the stars align most perfectly for the winner?

Becker Wim 1985; Tennis needed a new *celebrity* star with Mcenroe and Connors past their best, Borg gone and Lendl/Wilander not very popular champions. They got it here, the raw unproven Becker playing a power brand of tennis that had never been seen before. He won two five setters including twice breaking to stay in the match in round 3. He should have been too raw to win aged 17 but he did.

Chang 1989 FO; Memorably beat Lendl in round 4 despite cramping, resorting to moonballs and an underarm serve. In the final against Edberg he also came back to win, with Edberg missing a number of break points in the fourth set. Chang said it was Gods purpose to allow me to win. He is the youngest ever major winner but never proved good enough to win another.

Ivanisevic 2001 Wmbledon; Having shown no form for a long time, it was controversial that he even got a Wildcard. Yet somehow he found his form for two weeks. A rain delay helped Goran turn his semi final vs Henman around. The final was a classic and being played on Monday it had a unique atmosphere. It seemed everything fell into place here for Goran to achieve the perfect redemption story.

Sampras 2002 USO; Pete was considered done, no titles in two years, motivation for the tour dulled and had been whooped in the past two US open finals by next gen Safin and Hewitt. After edging out Rusedski in round 3 Rusedski said Pete was a step and a half slower and predicted he would lose his next match. Instead Pete reached the final and who better to win against than Agassi. Somehow fate allowed Pete to discover his best form one more time and have the perfect ending.

Federer 2009 FO; Federers failure to land a FO was a big hole in his resume that seemed impossible to fill while Nadal was active. Somehow Nadal went out to Soderling, who he'd beaten 6-1 6-0 in Rome recently. In the same round Federer was two sets and breakpoint down against Haas, which he saved with a clutch forehand and turned the match around. He also struggled in the semi final, but eventually got the title. Fate seemed to give Federer this opportunity.

If we're going by "defying all logic," I would go with Chang.

-Federer was the second best player at the French Open from 2005-2008. Sure, the upset of Nadal was monumental, but Federer was the second favorite coming into the tournament;

-As you note, Sampras had made the last two U.S. Open finals, and, of course, he had won 4 prior U.S. Open titles. Despite his slump, you kind of knew he had a chance to win; and

-Becker came into Wimbledon 1985 having won Queen's Club, and defending Wimbledon champion McEnroe was in a slump.​

Ivanisevic looked washed up coming into Wimbledon 2001, but he was the 2nd best player there from 1992-1998, and there was always a shot he could rekindle the flame.

But Chang? His only red clay experience coming into the 1989 French Open was the 1988 French Open, when he got smoked by McEnroe in the 3rd round, 6-0, 6-3, 6-1. Other than that, he had average results at Charleston and Forest Hills in 1988 and 1989. No one was thinking he was going to make much of an impact at the 1989 French Open, and yet he won it with the crazy match over Lendl and the tense five setter against Edberg in the final.

 

[True Fanerer]

Ivanisevic went through so many let downs at Wimbledon in his career. It was a great story. I was rooting for Rafter throughout the tournament but Goran won me over during the course of that final

 

[Red Rick]

Talk about Roddick being destined to never win Wimbledon in 2009.

But seriously, it's Ivanisevic. All the other title runs are closer to me going to the supermarket than to that run in terms of likelyhood

 

[Mainad]

Once Nadal went out in the early rounds of 2009 RG, that tournament just had Federer's name written all over it. Who didn't know that he was then destined to finally win it that year?

 

[True Fanerer]

Once Nadal went out in the early rounds of 2009 RG, that tournament just had Federer's name written all over it. Who didn't know that he was then destined to finally win it that year?

a very close #2 on my list

 

[BGod]

Fed wins any French where he doesn't meet Nadal 2005-2009.

 

[Waspsting]

Andy Murray, Australian Open 2018

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

@Poisoned Slice
What do you recon?

 

[King No1e]

Occasionally fate seems to play a factor in sport, as though it chooses who the winner will be, defying all logic. In tennis which major did the stars align most perfectly for the winner?

Becker Wim 1985; Tennis needed a new *celebrity* star with Mcenroe and Connors past their best, Borg gone and Lendl/Wilander not very popular champions. They got it here, the raw unproven Becker playing a power brand of tennis that had never been seen before. He won two five setters including twice breaking to stay in the match in round 3. He should have been too raw to win aged 17 but he did.

Chang 1989 FO; Memorably beat Lendl in round 4 despite cramping, resorting to moonballs and an underarm serve. In the final against Edberg he also came back to win, with Edberg missing a number of break points in the fourth set. Chang said it was Gods purpose to allow me to win. He is the youngest ever major winner but never proved good enough to win another.

Ivanisevic 2001 Wmbledon; Having shown no form for a long time, it was controversial that he even got a Wildcard. Yet somehow he found his form for two weeks. A rain delay helped Goran turn his semi final vs Henman around. The final was a classic and being played on Monday it had a unique atmosphere. It seemed everything fell into place here for Goran to achieve the perfect redemption story.

Sampras 2002 USO; Pete was considered done, no titles in two years, motivation for the tour dulled and had been whooped in the past two US open finals by next gen Safin and Hewitt. After edging out Rusedski in round 3 Rusedski said Pete was a step and a half slower and predicted he would lose his next match. Instead Pete reached the final and who better to win against than Agassi. Somehow fate allowed Pete to discover his best form one more time and have the perfect ending.

Federer 2009 FO; Federers failure to land a FO was a big hole in his resume that seemed impossible to fill while Nadal was active. Somehow Nadal went out to Soderling, who he'd beaten 6-1 6-0 in Rome recently. In the same round Federer was two sets and breakpoint down against Haas, which he saved with a clutch forehand and turned the match around. He also struggled in the semi final, but eventually got the title. Fate seemed to give Federer this opportunity.

AO 17. Very reminiscent of 02USO. Both were seeded 17th, both beat their main rival, who was also slightly past their prime (Agassi and Nadal).

 

[Poisoned Slice]

@Poisoned Slice
What do you recon?

No idea about Becker and Chang because too young but I can remember the other 3. I'm sure you are amazed. I'll have to go Pete Sampras being destined for the US Open 2002. I mean, he was playing his US Open whipping boy Agassi in the final. I thought Ivanisevic was destined to lose again in 2001. Same with Federer in 2009. Thought more tears were on the way, and indeed there was, only this time they were tears of joy.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

My man Federer gets the vote.

 

[TheAssassin]

Stunning accomplishment after going through an incredibly big slump.

 

[Shaolin]

Ferrero seemed destined to win RG, like the golden child of clay everyone knew would win it.

Just surprised he caved in so fast as soon as Nadal came along. Not sure if it was injuries but he just went away the second Nadal emerged.

 

[Charlemagne]

Federer in 2009. After Rafa got bounced it was pretty much his to choke away.

I do give credit to Goran though, and Wimbledon was his baby, but it was never a sure thing that he was going to win that tournament.

He almost did! Twice! Haas and Del Potro.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

No idea about Becker and Chang because too young but I can remember the other 3. I'm sure you are amazed. I'll have to go Pete Sampras being destined for the US Open 2002. I mean, he was playing his US Open whipping boy Agassi in the final. I thought Ivanisevic was destined to lose again in 2001. Same with Federer in 2009. Thought more tears were on the way, and indeed there was, only this time they were tears of joy.

I also have no clue about 80s tennis, even ivansevic i have no relation to.

Pretty much i just think what happened happened. I havent been a fan of anyone on that list

 

[vex]

Gotta go with Fed bc it would have been a travesty had he not won at least ONE RG. But he still needed an act of god to get past the King of Clay.

 

[Zara]

Once Nadal went out in the early rounds of 2009 RG, that tournament just had Federer's name written all over it. Who didn't know that he was then destined to finally win it that year?

Federer probably would have taken a lot of time to recover had he not won 2009 after Nadal was ousted. It did seem like destiny, yes. Federer might have made a pact with Nadal before they were born that Nadal would be kind enough to give Federer at least 1 RG. And Soderling was the man in this shenanigans to deliver the drama.

 

[Zara]

Goran's win was so emotional and it was so incredibly sweet to see him finally win Wimbledon.

But why isn't Murray in the list?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I also have no clue about 80s tennis, even ivansevic i have no relation to.

Pretty much i just think what happened happened. I havent been a fan of anyone on that list

 

[George Turner]

Goran's win was so emotional and it was so incredibly sweet to see him finally win Wimbledon.

But why isn't Murray in the list?

Murray's three major wins were relatively expected cos he was one of the favourites, he did not need an *act of god* to win them.

I also have no clue about 80s tennis, even ivansevic i have no relation to.

Pretty much i just think what happened happened. I havent been a fan of anyone on that list

Everyone was a fan of Goran!

i was born in 88, i've spent too much of my life researching tennis history.

 

[JMR]

I don't believe in destiny. I did think Kevin Curren was going to win Wimbledon 1985 -- but not because of fate. It was because he absolutely thrashed McEnroe and then Connors in the QF and SF (as well as a young Edberg). But Boris slipped past him, and Curren then did almost nothing in the slams for the rest of his career.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Murray's three major wins were relatively expected cos he was one of the favourites, he did not need an *act of god* to win them.



Everyone was a fan of Goran!

i was born in 88, i've spent too much of my life researching tennis history.

Ive watched from Borgs era on youtube, watched lots of Agassi but never studied his opponents(been fascinated w Agassis career) then jumped straight into Federer and all that

Goran who? LOL what have I missed out?

 

[Zara]

Murray's three major wins were relatively expected cos he was one of the favourites, he did not need an *act of god* to win them.

Everyone was a fan of Goran!

In that case, every major win is destined. There's no 'more' or 'less' destiny there.

And if Goran played against Pete I would've definitely gone for Pete again. But I was happy for Goran that he finally got what he wanted all his life and it didn't have to be at the expense of Pete.

 

[mike danny]

Federer AO 2017.

 

[George Turner]

Ive watched from Borgs era on youtube, watched lots of Agassi but never studied his opponents(been fascinated w Agassis career) then jumped straight into Federer and all that

Goran who? LOL what have I missed out?

Entertaining and unpredictable character/player. Like Fognini and Safin rolled into one. Once forfeited a match due to having no racquet, smashed three during the match and had none left.

*There's good Goran, bad Goran and crazy Goran. They can all serve aces!* - Ivanisevic.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Entertaining and unpredictable character/player. Like Fognini and Safin rolled into one. Once forfeited a match due to having no racquet, smashed three during the match and had none left.

*There's good Goran, bad Goran and crazy Goran. They can all serve aces!* - Ivanisevic.

He is incredible handsome, more than Fognini and Safin. Thats something.
And funny.

 

[George Turner]

He is incredible handsome, more than Fognini and Safin. Thats something.
And funny.

Also seemed to be a fashion icon, look how Fed copies his hairstyle.

 

[ChrisRF]

Goran's Wimbledon win was one of the top stories in tennis history, but not because he was destined to win. If that was the case, he would have already won in 1992. He rather finally overcame the destiny of never winning something big. That's something completely different for me.

So I would say Chang is my answer on this topic. He was just there at the first try, and then his career was more or less complete (at least on the biggest stage; of course I know he was a good player with more Slam and WTF finals).

 

[sbengte]

You didn't include Nadal's USO 2017 ? How else do you explain the worst cakewalk to the title in open era history ?

But I get that you picked the ones that are more of a feel good story with a deserving winner.

 

[True Fanerer]

Ferrero seemed destined to win RG, like the golden child of clay everyone knew would win it.

Just surprised he caved in so fast as soon as Nadal came along. Not sure if it was injuries but he just went away the second Nadal emerged.

Expected him to win two or three RG myself. He got lost in that big transition

 

[George Turner]

You didn't include Nadal's USO 2017 ? How else do you explain the worst cakewalk to the title in open era history ?

But I get that you picked the ones that are more of a feel good story with a deserving winner.

Yeah, i brought the 'fairytale' element into it.

Nadals win was no fairytale, he beat a load of guys he was expected to beat without breaking sweat, he was the logical winner. If Del Po had won that would have been a fairytale.

 

[True Fanerer]

This takes me back to the good old days. Goran somehow made that ugly backhand work for him lol. Rafter was my guy which made it all that much better because I appreciated Goran for this in the end. For once I didn't care that my guy lost

 

[Mainad]

This takes me back to the good old days. Goran somehow made that ugly backhand work for him lol. Rafter was my guy which made it all that much better because I appreciated Goran for this in the end. For once I didn't care that my guy lost

It never tires, does it?

 

[Deleted member 688153]

This is the correct answer.