most entertaining men's Wimbledon finals

[sandy mayer]

Since 1980 (first one I saw):

1. 1980 Borg v. McEnroe

2. 2001 Ivanisevic v. Rafter

3. 1982 Connors v. McEnroe

4. 1992 Agassi v. Ivanisevic

5. 1984 McEnroe v. Connors (though it was one sided, brilliant tennis)

6. 1999 Sampras v. Agassi (same as above)

7. 1981 Borg v. McEnroe

8. 2006 Federer v. Nadal

9. 1990 Edberg v. Becker

10. 1995 Sampras v. Becker (not that close but beautiful tennis)

 

[ceejay]

I do have the 1980 final on DVD, though the most entertaining one I saw was the Ivanisevic v Rafter final.

Apart from the 2006 final, which wasn't particularly entertaining, I don't remember any of the others. I am only 21 though.

ps.. add a poll

 

[thomas martinez]

Don't forget the one in 93 I believe, the Woodies v McEnroe/Stich. Lasted two days, one of the BEST men's doubles ever. Repeated at the US Open, where if memory serves the Woodies took em to the woodshed.

 

[insiderman]

1997 - only because I personally played a part in the finals - albeit a small part, but I did lend a 'hand', (or "9") so to speak~

 

[chaognosis]

By many, if not most, historians' accounts:

1. 1933 - Crawford def. Vines

 

[Elina]

I haven't seen the old ones but the 2001 final between Ivanisevic and Rafter was quite a thriller. I bought a DVD of the final last December but haven't yet had time to watch it again. :smile:

 

[armand]

Federer vs. Nadal? No.

In 1998 Ivanisevic took Sampras to 5 sets. That was much more entertaining and it wasn't a baseline battle like we see every freakin' tournament.

 

[andreh]

1990 is personal favorite. Not just because of the tennis but also because it was climax of the Edberg/Becker rivalry.

 

[Moose Malloy]

1997 - only because I personally played a part in the finals - albeit a small part, but I did lend a 'hand', (or "9") so to speak~

can you say more??

 

[insiderman]

Moose,

Let's just leave it with...I strung the entire event (besides many other players) but 2-of my customers ended up eventual being 2-of the 4-singles finalists, (2-women and 2-men), and my work rendured the same result for both Finals~

Actually what I remember even more was the night befor, or was it 2-nights before!? When watching the 'tele' seeing Iron-Mike-Tyson bite-off Evander's ear - that was so weird! As well as my staying up until the wee-hours to watch the 4-5 min event...

A magical place is Wimby - eveyone should make it a top-listing on their 'things-to-do/see' list.

2nd only to the Aussie Open - for me at least.

 

[35ft6]

Goran versus Rafter is the most memorable one for me. If you don't remember, it was delayed until Monday, and so a lot of the people in the crowd were young people who wouldn't have been able to attend on Sunday, they had some first come first serve thing going on. Loudest crowd ever. Yeah, the US Open is loud but think of how small and enclosed Wimbledon center court is. That was the best one for me.

 

[hoosierbr]

The 2004 Final between Federer and Roddick was pretty good stuff. The rain delay changed the momentum of the match too. Who's to say what would have happened if the sun had stayed shining?

 

[sandy mayer]

Actually you are right. I think I made a mistake in my top ten best finals. It was better than Federer v. Nadal. I think I was biased in thinking Federer v. Nadal was better because Nadal is a stronger rival but Roddick put up a better fight in Wimbledon 2004 than Nadal in Wimbledon 2006.

 

[avmoghe]

1980 Wimbledon final is considered to be the greatest match of all time from what I've heard. I've never actually seen it though.

2001 Ivanisevic vs Rafter Final is my personal Favorite. Never before (or since then for that matter) have I wanted there to be two winners in a tennis match.

 

[tennus]

2001 Goran vs Rafter for me also. Rafter played unbelievable serve volley tennis yet Goran prevailed. What a match !

 

[Andres]

2001 Wimbledon. Nothing to add.
Never seen anything like that, and probably never will. That was a Davis Cup match, between two LOCAL teams. Probably the loudest Wimby match ever

 

[laurie]

It has to be the 2001 Wimbledon final for me as well. We haven't had a real good final since then.

Besides that amazing Women's final between Venus and Davenport in 2005.

 

[WillAlwaysLoveYouTennis]

Also was a very entertaining doubles match between Stich/McEnroe and Reneburg/?? can't remember the other name right now, and don't want to pull out all my VHS tapes to see, but it also last two days, they played finally on Monday. I believe it was 1992 at the year after Stich won the men's singles.

My vote would be for Ivanesivic and Rafter 2001 also, the emotions, the ups and downs, the sheer determination on both sides was outstanding.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

2001 for me too, with goran & pat...... of course !

 

[Ronaldo]

Don't forget the one in 93 I believe, the Woodies v McEnroe/Stich. Lasted two days, one of the BEST men's doubles ever. Repeated at the US Open, where if memory serves the Woodies took em to the woodshed.

Can recall a long final in 1992 where Mac/Stich defeated Grabb/Reneberg 19-17 on Monday morning. Supposedly Mac suggested they play a tiebreak to end it on Sunday. Can remember it was covered by the Today Show and Bryant Gumbel was having labour pains over the coverage breaking into his show.

 

[CEvertFan]

For the men I would have to say the Borg/McEnroe finals and Agassi/Ivanisevic as well as Rafter/Ivanisevic.


For the women Evert and Goolagong in '76 stands out as does that superb final between Lindsey Davenport (one of my personal favorites) and Venus Williams in 2005.

 

[Condoleezza]

For the men I would have to say the Borg/McEnroe finals and Agassi/Ivanisevic as well as Rafter/Ivanisevic.


For the women Evert and Goolagong in '76 stands out as does that superb final between Lindsey Davenport (one of my personal favorites) and Venus Williams in 2005.

Graf-Navratilova 1988 with most probably the best performance of a female player ever. Graf hit 79 winners and made only 37 UEs.

Graf-Novotna 1993 and Graf-Sanchez 1995 had great entertainment value, too.

Venus-Davenport 2005?
Both hit more UEs than winners ...


Condi

 

[tennus]

Graf-Navratilova 1988 with most probably the best performance of a female player ever. Graf hit 79 winners and made only 37 UEs.

Graf-Novotna 1993 and Graf-Sanchez 1995 had great entertainment value, too.

Venus-Davenport 2005?
Both hit more UEs than winners ...


Condi

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz So do you have an answer for the original thread ? Most entertaining men's Wimbledon finals.

 

[Ronaldo]

Any final with Goran was high drama.

 

[EZRA]

GORAN's Wimbledon run was the best ... his matches against Henman, Moya, Rusedski, Roddick, and Rafter... great drama, rain delays, etc..

 

[Condoleezza]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz So do you have an answer for the original thread ? Most entertaining men's Wimbledon finals.

Borg-McEnroe 1980.
Case closed.
Next question.

Condi

 

[tennus]

Borg-McEnroe 1980.
Case closed.
Next question.

Condi

HAHAHAHA ! An American in Condi's most exciting men's final. Could this actually be unbiased perspective from you ? Congratulations !

 

[Condoleezza]

HAHAHAHA ! An American in Condi's most exciting men's final. Could this actually be unbiased perspective from you ? Congratulations !

Graf (GER) vs. Navratilova (USA) in 1988 was also great.

Condi

 

[rommil]

Graf-Navratilova 1988 with most probably the best performance of a female player ever. Graf hit 79 winners and made only 37 UEs.

Graf-Novotna 1993 and Graf-Sanchez 1995 had great entertainment value, too.

Venus-Davenport 2005?
Both hit more UEs than winners ...


Condi

If you are uncertain about your gender, please be advised this is a poll about men's final. Take your Graf banner somewhere else. BTW, my vote goes to Ivo-Rafter final.

 

[CyBorg]

A really good one was Borg-Connors in 1977 (and this followed one of the finest semifinals in Borg-Gerulaitis). I am also a big fan of Sampras-Ivanisevic in 1998.

 

[wyutani]

probably hewitt and nalbandian. battle of the baseliners...

 

[kiki]

Since 1980 (first one I saw):

1. 1980 Borg v. McEnroe

2. 2001 Ivanisevic v. Rafter

3. 1982 Connors v. McEnroe

4. 1992 Agassi v. Ivanisevic

5. 1984 McEnroe v. Connors (though it was one sided, brilliant tennis)

6. 1999 Sampras v. Agassi (same as above)

7. 1981 Borg v. McEnroe

8. 2006 Federer v. Nadal

9. 1990 Edberg v. Becker

10. 1995 Sampras v. Becker (not that close but beautiful tennis)

I remember Newcombe vs Rosewall and Newcombe vs Smith, and specially Borg-Connors in 77 and Nastase-Smith in 1972...oh¡ and even if it is not a final, the 1877 Borg-Gerulaitis sf is a classic all time.

 

[Xavier G]

I thought Federer-Roddick in 2009 was pretty entertaining. Wasn't it 16-14 last set?
And I rated Borg-Connors 77, Borg -Tanner 79. the 2 Borg-Mac finals, Connors -Mac 82, Edberg-Becker 90, Sampras wins in 95 and 2000, Goran-Pat Rafter, and the last 2 Fed-Nadal finals 2007 and 2008. Some classics there. Mac 84 was entertaining in a one-sided showcase way.