grafselesfan
Banned
What are some matchups you would love to see with both players in their primes. Here are some for me:
Maureen Connolly vs Monica Seles-. I have never seen Connolly play but everything I have heard about her indicates she was almost a carbon copy of the Seles game, except she did it in the 50s. Devastating groundstrokes off both wings with amazing precision, power, and accuracy. Incredible focus and determination. Return of serve was devastating. Not such a great serve and no net game, but she didnt need it. Moved deceptively well. Controled the centre of the baseline and great court positioning. Would be amazing to see these two special agressive baseline experts slugging it out both playing that way.
Pete Sampras vs Bjorn Borg- This would be wonderful. Arguably the greatest offensive player in tennis history vs arguably the greatest defensive player ever. Pete's serve and volley attack and attacking groundstrokes vs Borg's return of serve, passing shots, unparalled court speed, and baseline accuracy and consistency. Would be amazing to watch.
Pete Sampras vs Rafael Nadal- This would also be incredible. Alot like Borg vs Sampras except Nadal is a lefty and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the court would contrast with Sampras's quiet low key demeanor in a way the ice man Borg wouldnt.
Ivan Lendl vs Roger Federer- I think this would be an interesting match as I think they are similar in alot of ways. The Federer game is alot smoother than Lendl. However both build their games first around a dominant forehand which rather than an all out kill shot is more based upon its mix of power, consistency, placement, directional control, and variety, which allows them to control rallies and hit winners. Both have excellent although not completely dominant first serves. Both move very well and can play very good defense while prefering offense, though Federer undoubtably has the upper hand there. Both return similarily in that they focus more on placement and control, though I think Lendl might be the better returner. Both have backhands that are not as good as their forehands but effective nonetheless, and key their baseline game more around their forehands. Both can play well at the net but prefer the baseline. Their on court personalities are similar, and both have the reputation for being very tough at times but also cracking under pressure at times. I think it would be an intriguing battle.
Connors vs Agassi- Again it would be interesting to see two players whose games parallel so closely. Neither guy would want to be hitting alot of 2nd serves or getting pushed on defense much in this match. Such simlar players but Agassi has the more reliable forehand and better serve, while Connors clearly being the better mover and defender and much better net player. Connor's all court attack even if centred around an agressive baseline game would give Agassi who doesnt have this dimension ontop of his agressive baseline play something to think about.
Graf vs Wills Moody- From everything I have read on Wills Moody in many ways her demeanor and playing style was very Graf like. She was really the one that introduced power tennis to the womens game, and she used her wide serve and her forehand to control opponents just like Graf.
Lenglen vs Navratilova- Lenglen's stylish all court attack vs Navratilova's agressive attacking game would make for a great matchup.
Maureen Connolly vs Monica Seles-. I have never seen Connolly play but everything I have heard about her indicates she was almost a carbon copy of the Seles game, except she did it in the 50s. Devastating groundstrokes off both wings with amazing precision, power, and accuracy. Incredible focus and determination. Return of serve was devastating. Not such a great serve and no net game, but she didnt need it. Moved deceptively well. Controled the centre of the baseline and great court positioning. Would be amazing to see these two special agressive baseline experts slugging it out both playing that way.
Pete Sampras vs Bjorn Borg- This would be wonderful. Arguably the greatest offensive player in tennis history vs arguably the greatest defensive player ever. Pete's serve and volley attack and attacking groundstrokes vs Borg's return of serve, passing shots, unparalled court speed, and baseline accuracy and consistency. Would be amazing to watch.
Pete Sampras vs Rafael Nadal- This would also be incredible. Alot like Borg vs Sampras except Nadal is a lefty and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the court would contrast with Sampras's quiet low key demeanor in a way the ice man Borg wouldnt.
Ivan Lendl vs Roger Federer- I think this would be an interesting match as I think they are similar in alot of ways. The Federer game is alot smoother than Lendl. However both build their games first around a dominant forehand which rather than an all out kill shot is more based upon its mix of power, consistency, placement, directional control, and variety, which allows them to control rallies and hit winners. Both have excellent although not completely dominant first serves. Both move very well and can play very good defense while prefering offense, though Federer undoubtably has the upper hand there. Both return similarily in that they focus more on placement and control, though I think Lendl might be the better returner. Both have backhands that are not as good as their forehands but effective nonetheless, and key their baseline game more around their forehands. Both can play well at the net but prefer the baseline. Their on court personalities are similar, and both have the reputation for being very tough at times but also cracking under pressure at times. I think it would be an intriguing battle.
Connors vs Agassi- Again it would be interesting to see two players whose games parallel so closely. Neither guy would want to be hitting alot of 2nd serves or getting pushed on defense much in this match. Such simlar players but Agassi has the more reliable forehand and better serve, while Connors clearly being the better mover and defender and much better net player. Connor's all court attack even if centred around an agressive baseline game would give Agassi who doesnt have this dimension ontop of his agressive baseline play something to think about.
Graf vs Wills Moody- From everything I have read on Wills Moody in many ways her demeanor and playing style was very Graf like. She was really the one that introduced power tennis to the womens game, and she used her wide serve and her forehand to control opponents just like Graf.
Lenglen vs Navratilova- Lenglen's stylish all court attack vs Navratilova's agressive attacking game would make for a great matchup.