Pete Vs. Roger - Trivia

[tHotGates]

Well, I stand by my position which IMO is clear & how one interrupts rudeness goes both ways as in repetitive or fixated attention on one appended & clarified statement . I've been following Pete since his upset win over Wilander at the 1989 USO & have seen plenty of live Sampras matches & recorded even more of his matches all of which have helped formulate a good idea on Pete the player. Sorry, YouTube clips are not required on my part but thanks much (fyi - those documentaries are still there for viewing for anybody who wishes to learn more about Pete). His slip & slide started in 98/99 & I have seen nothing to convince me otherwise. Fitness was always an issue (amazing but true the ultimate irony for someone who finished six years @ # 1) as Pete had to deal with, hip, quad, shin splints, disc, knee related injuries, to name a few throughout his career to say nothing about his blood disorder which was a constant issue with him. It doesn't mean Pete did not train hard or was not fit but that his fitness could have been better which is really not debatable & I am sure that even Pete would agree as much. In my book, later 1998 to 00 represents post peak Sampras & 00 (more latter 00) to 02 represent twilight Pete. Just because an athlete is still productive in the latter part of their career does not mean they are at peak ability. I saw some slippage with Pete 10-11 years into the tour & by years 12-14 he was fading but still had enough to pull off one more slam in the twilight of his career. Some folks will just disagree on certain issues. No biggie.

 

[daddy]

You know having started the thread I feel I am to clarify few things. It amased me how many similarities were there between Pete and Roger. Now i know many other examples where people peaked before and started to slip at 26 lildly, much more at 28 yrs. Like for example Becker and Edberg, imo due to the style of play, but there were Borg who retired and McEnroe who has a clear passion for the game even today but yet did not manage to do anything serious after 26. On the other hand I know some examples of people who, despite their phisical preparation, lasted thru to 35 years of age, most recent and notable Aggasi and of course Ivan Lendl, who had his best years of tennis career when he was 25 - 29 years of age. So in other words, there is no pattern we can establish and say - THIS IS EXACTLY what will happen to Roger from now on.

I just noticed, that there are many similar things in this matchup - Roger vs Pete so I was wondering if the same thing will happen in terms of Rogers future.

 

[Azzurri]

Well, I stand by my position which IMO is clear & how one interrupts rudeness goes both ways as in repetitive or fixated attention on one appended & clarified statement . I've been following Pete since his upset win over Wilander at the 1989 USO & have seen plenty of live Sampras matches & recorded even more of his matches all of which have helped formulate a good idea on Pete the player. Sorry, YouTube clips are not required on my part but thanks much (fyi - those documentaries are still there for viewing for anybody who wishes to learn more about Pete). His slip & slide started in 98/99 & I have seen nothing to convince me otherwise. Fitness was always an issue (amazing but true the ultimate irony for someone who finished six years @ # 1) as Pete had to deal with, hip, quad, shin splints, disc, knee related injuries, to name a few throughout his career to say nothing about his blood disorder which was a constant issue with him. It doesn't mean Pete did not train hard or was not fit but that his fitness could have been better which is really not debatable & I am sure that even Pete would agree as much. In my book, later 1998 to 00 represents post peak Sampras & 00 (more latter 00) to 02 represent twilight Pete. Just because an athlete is still productive in the latter part of their career does not mean they are at peak ability. I saw some slippage with Pete 10-11 years into the tour & by years 12-14 he was fading but still had enough to pull off one more slam in the twilight of his career. Some folks will just disagree on certain issues. No biggie.

Thank you for your clarification. And this time w/out a hint of rudeness.

 

[Azzurri]

You know having started the thread I feel I am to clarify few things. It amased me how many similarities were there between Pete and Roger. Now i know many other examples where people peaked before and started to slip at 26 lildly, much more at 28 yrs. Like for example Becker and Edberg, imo due to the style of play, but there were Borg who retired and McEnroe who has a clear passion for the game even today but yet did not manage to do anything serious after 26. On the other hand I know some examples of people who, despite their phisical preparation, lasted thru to 35 years of age, most recent and notable Aggasi and of course Ivan Lendl, who had his best years of tennis career when he was 25 - 29 years of age. So in other words, there is no pattern we can establish and say - THIS IS EXACTLY what will happen to Roger from now on.

I just noticed, that there are many similar things in this matchup - Roger vs Pete so I was wondering if the same thing will happen in terms of Rogers future.

No kidding regarding Lendl. He won 7 of his 8 GS beginning at age 25. He won his last major just as he was about to turn 30. He dominated Tennis from 85-89 (although he had a tough year in 88). So you are right...it all depends on the individual.

 

[tHotGates]

Thank you for your clarification. And this time w/out a hint of rudeness.

Too funny. Cheers. I don't mean to come off as rude & if I offended then please excuse. I'm a big fan of Pete & throughout the years I have gone to bat for him in numerous forums & the debates have been all over the map (some good, some not so good) but I try to be consistent. I appreciate a good exchange & some areas are difficult subjects to tackle.


PS: Nice avatar. Somewhere in my basement maybe garage, in a boxed collection of magazines, I have a copy of that issue.

 

[laurie]

Good to see you two guys coming to an agreement. Reading both of your posts I didn't see too much difference in what you were saying.

THotgates, do you have a copy of 2000 Masters cup semifinal between Sampras and Kuerten?

 

[tHotGates]

You know having started the thread I feel I am to clarify few things. It amased me how many similarities were there between Pete and Roger. Now i know many other examples where people peaked before and started to slip at 26 lildly, much more at 28 yrs. Like for example Becker and Edberg, imo due to the style of play, but there were Borg who retired and McEnroe who has a clear passion for the game even today but yet did not manage to do anything serious after 26. On the other hand I know some examples of people who, despite their phisical preparation, lasted thru to 35 years of age, most recent and notable Aggasi and of course Ivan Lendl, who had his best years of tennis career when he was 25 - 29 years of age. So in other words, there is no pattern we can establish and say - THIS IS EXACTLY what will happen to Roger from now on.

I just noticed, that there are many similar things in this matchup - Roger vs Pete so I was wondering if the same thing will happen in terms of Rogers future.

No kidding regarding Lendl. He won 7 of his 8 GS beginning at age 25. He won his last major just as he was about to turn 30. He dominated Tennis from 85-89 (although he had a tough year in 88). So you are right...it all depends on the individual.

Very true. You know, there's a lot that we are all in agreement with. Ten years on the tour at an unbelievable pace going back to 03, it would not be surprising if we see Fed slip a bit but who knows. Time will tell.

 

[tHotGates]

Good to see you two guys coming to an agreement. Reading both of your posts I didn't see too much difference in what you were saying.



THotgates, do you have a copy of 2000 Masters cup semifinal between Sampras and Kuerten?

LOL, you just beat me to my reply post.

Sorry, I do not have a copy of the 2000 Guga match. In fact, I still have a boat load of VHS tapes that I have not converted to DVD/CD format sitting in storage.

 

[laurie]

LOL, you just beat me to my reply post.

Sorry, I do not have a copy of the 2000 Guga match. In fact, I still have a boat load of VHS tapes that I have not converted to DVD/CD format sitting in storage.

That's ok, thanks - even though Pete lost, I think it's one of the best matches of the decade.

 

[Azzurri]

Too funny. Cheers. I don't mean to come off as rude & if I offended then please excuse. I'm a big fan of Pete & throughout the years I have gone to bat for him in numerous forums & the debates have been all over the map (some good, some not so good) but I try to be consistent. I appreciate a good exchange & some areas are difficult subjects to tackle.


PS: Nice avatar. Somewhere in my basement maybe garage, in a boxed collection of magazines, I have a copy of that issue.

Trust me, I also don't always mean to come off as I do, but its a forum, so no biggie. I believe you have very good knowledge of Pete. Some people watch a few videos and think they know. But its different when you actually grew up watching Pete. I remember when I watched Pete's match against Corretja sometime last summer. It brought back some meamories of how much I admired his game and fight. Those are the things people that did not watch him lose. They don't get how much Pete loved to compete...just watch his HOF speech, that should explain it.

I also had this magazine, but lost it in a move. I lost some magazines, a Head tour bag (Agassi's) and some other tennis equipment. To this day I don't know what happened to them.

This year will tell a lot about how far the younger guys have come. Roger will have his hands full.

 

[Azzurri]

Good to see you two guys coming to an agreement. Reading both of your posts I didn't see too much difference in what you were saying.

THotgates, do you have a copy of 2000 Masters cup semifinal between Sampras and Kuerten?

LOL...funny you would say that. I just based my whole arguement on the word "serious". I was acting like the jerk, so I apologize.

If you are looking for some old matches, contact me. I know of a place that sells lots of Sampras matches for decent prices.

 

[Azzurri]

LOL, you just beat me to my reply post.

Sorry, I do not have a copy of the 2000 Guga match. In fact, I still have a boat load of VHS tapes that I have not converted to DVD/CD format sitting in storage.

You could make some pocket change selling them!

 

[laurie]

LOL...funny you would say that. I just based my whole arguement on the word "serious". I was acting like the jerk, so I apologize.

If you are looking for some old matches, contact me. I know of a place that sells lots of Sampras matches for decent prices.

Cheers. Both you and THotgates are good guys, I have no doubt about that.

I have many Sampras matches myself but am looking for a good quality copy of this match in particular because I really love it. After all, Guga is a great player and really nice guy so Pete couldn't lose to a nicer person that day.

 

[Azzurri]

Cheers. Both you and THotgates are good guys, I have no doubt about that.

I have many Sampras matches myself but am looking for a good quality copy of this match in particular because I really love it. After all, Guga is a great player and really nice guy so Pete couldn't lose to a nicer person that day.

Thanks..nice iof you to say. Yiou are a good guy yourself on the boards.
I always liked Guiga..seems like a nice guy. I will be getting some matches soon. Not sure which ones yet.

 

[tHotGates]

Cheers. Both you and THotgates are good guys, I have no doubt about that.

I have many Sampras matches myself but am looking for a good quality copy of this match in particular because I really love it. After all, Guga is a great player and really nice guy so Pete couldn't lose to a nicer person that day.

Right back at you laurie. I've always enjoyed your posts & appreciate your videos. Cheers.