Rank these single slam winners from best to worst (competed in open era)

d-quik

Hall of Fame
Juan-Carlos Ferrero
Petr Korda
Gaston Gaudio
Goran Ivanisevic
Roscoe Tanner
Maric Cilic
Carlos Moya
Pat Cash
Thomas Muster
Vitas Gerulaitis
Adriano Panini
Yannick Noah
Andy Roddick
Andres Gomes
Mark Edmondson
Juan-Martin del Potro
Michael Chang
Brian Teacher
Andres Gomes
Mark Edmondson
Albert Costa
Richard Krajicek
Michael Stich
Brian Teacher
Thomas Johansson
 
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JW10S

Hall of Fame
1 Del Potro, 2 Stich, 3 Roddick, 4 Gerulaitus, 5 Chang, 6 Moya, 7 Krajicek, 8 Cash, 9 Muster, 10 Ivanisevic, 11 Korda, 12 Cilic, 13 Tanner, 14 Gomes, 15 Costa, 16 Johansson, 17 Gaudio, 18 Teacher, 19 Edmondson
 

BGod

G.O.A.T.
I would rank the Top 10:

1. Roddick
2. Gerulaitis
3. Stich
4. Cash
5. Chang
6. del Potro
7. Ivanisevic
8. Muster
9. Moya
10. Cilic
 

martinezownsclay

Hall of Fame
I would rank the Top 10:

1. Roddick
2. Gerulaitis
3. Stich
4. Cash
5. Chang
6. del Potro
7. Ivanisevic
8. Muster
9. Moya
10. Cilic

Wasn't Gerulaitis's lone slam at the Australian Open during the second half of the 70s when it wasn't even a semi legit slam? For that alone I would never put him that high, as much as I would like to as he had some great matches with the best. He also had something like a 20 match losing streak to both Borg and Connors too didn't he. Some great matches, but always losing them. Of course both major all time greats, but it is hard to think he belongs that high when many of those have beaten the best more often than that.

I would put Gerulaitis below Stich, Chang, and Del Potro atleast, and I doubt I would put Cash that high either. Otherwise goood ranking.
 

dryeagle

Rookie
Michael Chang
Goran Ivanisevic
Michael Stich
Andy Roddick
Thomas Muster
Carlos Moya
Juan-Martin del Potro
Richard Krajicek
Albert Costa
Andres Gomes
Petr Korda
Maric Cilic
Roscoe Tanner
Pat Cash
Vitas Gerulaitis
Yannick Noah
Adriano Panini
Thomas Johansson
Gaston Gaudio
Mark Edmondson
Brian Teacher
 

BGod

G.O.A.T.
Wasn't Gerulaitis's lone slam at the Australian Open during the second half of the 70s when it wasn't even a semi legit slam? For that alone I would never put him that high, as much as I would like to as he had some great matches with the best. He also had something like a 20 match losing streak to both Borg and Connors too didn't he. Some great matches, but always losing them. Of course both major all time greats, but it is hard to think he belongs that high when many of those have beaten the best more often than that.

I would put Gerulaitis below Stich, Chang, and Del Potro atleast, and I doubt I would put Cash that high either. Otherwise goood ranking.

It's really a technicality how Vilas even won his 1 Slam but I rate him very highly as an also ran. He was a pretty consistent also ran at that.

Slam Final losses to Borg at French, McEnroe at USO.

Slam Semi losses
Borg in 5 at Wimbledon
McEnroe in 5 at USO
Borg at French
Borg at USO
Connors at Wimbledon

Additionally lost another time to Borg at Wimbledon and Wilander in his first French title run.

It's just as bad as Roddick in my opinion in terms of draws except at least Roddick only really had Hewitt, Safin, Agassi kind of in his way to Roger.

I definitely don't think Chang was better considering he was a hard worker and if anything maximized his potential. Vitas was a coke fiend. That doesn't excuse his losing but it puts things into context.

And Delpo just didn't have the longevity in a weak field after Big 3 really. Stich is interesting but he lost in straights in 2 finals like Vitas against Agassi & Kafelnikov, straights against Courier in AO his best result there. Won a WTF against Pete but Vilas won a WCT and lost two WTF to Borg and Lendl (5 sets).
 

martinezownsclay

Hall of Fame
It's really a technicality how Vilas even won his 1 Slam but I rate him very highly as an also ran. He was a pretty consistent also ran at that.

Slam Final losses to Borg at French, McEnroe at USO.

Slam Semi losses
Borg in 5 at Wimbledon
McEnroe in 5 at USO
Borg at French
Borg at USO
Connors at Wimbledon

Additionally lost another time to Borg at Wimbledon and Wilander in his first French title run.

It's just as bad as Roddick in my opinion in terms of draws except at least Roddick only really had Hewitt, Safin, Agassi kind of in his way to Roger.

I definitely don't think Chang was better considering he was a hard worker and if anything maximized his potential. Vitas was a coke fiend. That doesn't excuse his losing but it puts things into context.

And Delpo just didn't have the longevity in a weak field after Big 3 really. Stich is interesting but he lost in straights in 2 finals like Vitas against Agassi & Kafelnikov, straights against Courier in AO his best result there. Won a WTF against Pete but Vilas won a WCT and lost two WTF to Borg and Lendl (5 sets).

Well it seems you are someone who takes into account talent and potential highly, and prefer players with untapped talent vs those who maxed out their potential and that was still all they could do. I can respect that, and along that line of thinking yes Vilas would be way better than a workhorse like Chang.

While I can agree it is remarkable how consistent Vilas was and how he was usually only stopped by greats, I would like it better if he occasionaly beat them all. His really long losing streaks to Borg and Connors bother me some, in comparision to nearly all these others on this list who did have some wins over all the greats of their prime.
 

BGod

G.O.A.T.
Well it seems you are someone who takes into account talent and potential highly, and prefer players with untapped talent vs those who maxed out their potential and that was still all they could do. I can respect that, and along that line of thinking yes Vilas would be way better than a workhorse like Chang.

While I can agree it is remarkable how consistent Vilas was and how he was usually only stopped by greats, I would like it better if he occasionaly beat them all. His really long losing streaks to Borg and Connors bother me some, in comparision to nearly all these others on this list who did have some wins over all the greats of their prime.

The margins aren't big and of course I actually watched Chang play live as opposed to Vitas on tape. Roddick and Ferrer constantly lost to Fed for comparison and even though we all wanted Roddick to win 09 it just didn't happen. Vitas could have won Wimbledon the year he nearly beat Borg and that can be said of a few other Slams.

Cash to me gets high marks for an insane title run and then losing two 5 set epic finals to Edberg/Wilander. It makes him likely the closest 1 Slam finalist to win more aside from Roddick.
 

Olli Jokinen

Hall of Fame
Petr Korda
Gaston Gaudio
Goran Ivanisevic
Roscoe Tanner
Maric Cilic
Carlos Moya
Pat Cash
Thomas Muster
Vitas Gerulaitis
Adriano Panini
Yannick Noah
Andy Roddick
Andres Gomes
Mark Edmondson
Juan-Martin del Potro
Michael Chang
Brian Teacher
Andres Gomes
Mark Edmondson
Albert Costa
Richard Krajicek
Michael Stich
Brian Teacher
Thomas Johansson

Adriano Panini? You also forgot Juan Carlos Ferrero.
 

TennisLurker

Professional
I rate Gaudio higher than Thomas Johansson, because the late 90s and early 2000s were an age of clay court specialists, and Gaudio beating Kuerten, Corretja, Ferrero, Costa, Coria was always a possibility, he was competitive against them. Johansson beating the best hardcourt players to win a hardcourt slam was a much bigger upset. And he didn't do that, he got a very nice draw to the final, and a hungover Safin in the final

Gaudio's head to head against the best claycourters before Nadal

h2h
Kuerten Gaudio 3-3
Costa Gaudio 1-2
Corretja Gaudio 6-1 but two 76 third set victories for Corretja, Gaudio could play him competitively
Ferrero Gaudio 8-5 one of the victories of Ferrero being a 5 sets match in Roland Garros 2002, Gaudio beat a past his prime Ferrero in RG
Kafelnikov Gaudio 1-2 with Kafelnikov's victory being a 5 sets match on super fast indoor carpet, davis cup
Coria Gaudio 3-2
 

martinezownsclay

Hall of Fame
The margins aren't big and of course I actually watched Chang play live as opposed to Vitas on tape. Roddick and Ferrer constantly lost to Fed for comparison and even though we all wanted Roddick to win 09 it just didn't happen. Vitas could have won Wimbledon the year he nearly beat Borg and that can be said of a few other Slams.

Cash to me gets high marks for an insane title run and then losing two 5 set epic finals to Edberg/Wilander. It makes him likely the closest 1 Slam finalist to win more aside from Roddick.

But Roddick is a good example in that Federer is arguably the GOAT, is an AWFUL match up for Fed, and he still beat him a few times prime to prime. Which is why I have a hard time ignoring Vitas's long losing streaks vs both Borg and Connors, despite all the great matches.

Cash is difficult for me. I think he is a lot like Chang in that he wasn't that talented relatively speaking, but really maxed out his talent in the time he had. The difference is unlike Chang his prime was cut short by injuries.
 

thrust

Legend
Michael Chang
Goran Ivanisevic
Michael Stich
Andy Roddick
Thomas Muster
Carlos Moya
Juan-Martin del Potro
Richard Krajicek
Albert Costa
Andres Gomes
Petr Korda
Maric Cilic
Roscoe Tanner
Pat Cash
Vitas Gerulaitis
Yannick Noah
Adriano Panini
Thomas Johansson
Gaston Gaudio
Mark Edmondson
Brian Teacher
Good list, overall, but I would rank Delpo at #1
 

martinezownsclay

Hall of Fame
With a peak ranking of #3? Without injuries he might have been a 3'ish slam winner but his actual career is below many of that list.
'
But one would argue he gets bonus points for being Nadal and Federer back to back to win a slam. When both were in their primes no less. Compare that to who some of these others beat for their slams, a few which are downright comical, including even many of the good ones who even also underachieved to win just 1 slam but still beat pretty unimpressive people to win their actual slam.
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
'
But one would argue he gets bonus points for being Nadal and Federer back to back to win a slam. When both were in their primes no less. Compare that to who some of these others beat for their slams, a few which are downright comical, including even many of the good ones who even also underachieved to win just 1 slam but still beat pretty unimpressive people to win their actual slam.

Think that run is overrated a bit, Nadal had an abdominal tear and Federer had no serve in the final. Good win obviously but don't think it gives him near the bonus points to be #1.
 

martinezownsclay

Hall of Fame
Think that run is overrated a bit, Nadal had an abdominal tear and Federer had no serve in the final. Good win obviously but don't think it gives him near the bonus points to be #1.

In comparision to everyone else on the list it is still the best wins any of them had to win a slam probably. Well maybe you could debate Chang but that would only be due to beating Lendl. Edberg on his worst surface by a ton in the final is not really comparable. I agree he probably does not belong at #1 though, I would have him top 5 most likely.
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
In comparision to everyone else on the list it is still the best wins any of them had to win a slam probably. Well maybe you could debate Chang but that would only be due to beating Lendl. Edberg on his worst surface by a ton in the final is not really comparable. I agree he probably does not belong at #1 though, I would have him top 5 most likely.

Best wins sure, best level of play is something else though.
 

thrust

Legend
'
But one would argue he gets bonus points for being Nadal and Federer back to back to win a slam. When both were in their primes no less. Compare that to who some of these others beat for their slams, a few which are downright comical, including even many of the good ones who even also underachieved to win just 1 slam but still beat pretty unimpressive people to win their actual slam.
Delpo also beat Federer in a Swiss and IW finals. I forget who he beat to reach the 19 USO final vs Novak. Without serious injuries, he would have done much better. But then, injuries are part of the game.
 

thrust

Legend
Think that run is overrated a bit, Nadal had an abdominal tear and Federer had no serve in the final. Good win obviously but don't think it gives him near the bonus points to be #1.
Always an excuse when Rafa or Roger loses. Fact is that Roger was up 2 sets to one and still lost to Delpo at the 09 USO final.
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
Always an excuse when Rafa or Roger loses. Fact is that Roger was up 2 sets to one and still lost to Delpo at the 09 USO final.

Clownish response as usual ;) Fact is his career is not the best of the list.
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
The truth hurts- LOL! Peak Delpo would dominate most on that list. When did Roddick ever beat Rafa or Roger in a slam or a slam final?

You wouldn't know the truth if you sat on it lol.

Roddick 2003 > Del Potro 2009 :whistle: Roddick unlucky to face better Federer's, this is true. He crushed his opponent which is the most he could do.
 

RS

Bionic Poster
You wouldn't know the truth if you sat on it lol.

Roddick 2003 > Del Potro 2009 :whistle: Roddick unlucky to face better Federer's, this is true. He crushed his opponent which is the most he could do.
Who do you think played better Roddick of the Wim 04 and 09 finals or Del Potro of the RG 09 SF?
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
Who do you think played better Roddick of the Wim 04 and 09 finals or Del Potro of the RG 09 SF?

First set Roddick, second set Del Potro, third set Roddick. Obviously can't compare fourth sets.
 

RS

Bionic Poster
Disagree?
Don’t really have a stance on who was better. I do remember Del Potro GOATing in set 1 and 3 as well though seems you rate the match quite a bit lower than a few Federer fans.
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
Don’t really have a stance. I do remember Del Potro GOATing in set 1 and 3 as well though seems you rate the match quite a bit lower than a few Federer fans.

Think Nadal's serve and rally balls were way more attackable. I might be underrating Delpo though.
 
D

Deleted member 779124

Guest
Who do you think played better Roddick of the Wim 04 and 09 finals or Del Potro of the RG 09 SF?
Roddick W2004 and Del Potro in FO2009 hit higher highs than Roddick W2009 but 2009 Roddick was more steady and fought the longest so it depends on the take of the person.
 
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D

Deleted member 779124

Guest
1 Del Potro, 2 Stich, 3 Roddick, 4 Gerulaitus, 5 Chang, 6 Moya, 7 Krajicek, 8 Cash, 9 Muster, 10 Ivanisevic, 11 Korda, 12 Cilic, 13 Tanner, 14 Gomes, 15 Costa, 16 Johansson, 17 Gaudio, 18 Teacher, 19 Edmondson
Del Potro could been minus the health issues but don't think he is ahead of Roddick.
 

Olli Jokinen

Hall of Fame
'
But one would argue he gets bonus points for being Nadal and Federer back to back to win a slam. When both were in their primes no less. Compare that to who some of these others beat for their slams, a few which are downright comical, including even many of the good ones who even also underachieved to win just 1 slam but still beat pretty unimpressive people to win their actual slam.
Stich beat Edberg and Becker to win Wimby '91. He had a better career than Delpo.
 
Gerulaitis was great and is underrated. Won the AO, finalist in FO and USO, semi-finalist in Wimbledon, finalist in the Masters ... He never beat Borg, but he was a great champion during the golden age of tennis.
 

NonP

Legend
Enough of this who-was-#1 nonsense. The only 1-Slammers who can be said to have been the real #1 of the year are Roddick and Ferrero, and even those 2 take a back seat to '03 Fed. Nobody thought Muster or Moya had overtaken Sampras no matter what the ATP #s said. Apart from Agassi prior to the '95 USO and Rafter for the summer '98 HC season Pistol was the undeniable numero uno from 1993-99.

Also the list is incomplete. Here's the full version:

-Real Slam champs-
Gimeno (1972 RG)
Orantes (1975 USO)
Panatta (1976 RG)
Noah (1983 RG)
Cash (1987 W)
Chang (1987 RG)
Gomez (1990 RG)
Stich (1991 W)
Muster (1995 RG)
Krajicek (1996 W)
Korda, P. (1998 AO)
Moya (1998 RG)
Ivanisevic (2001 W)
Johansson, T. (2002 AO)
Costa, A. (2002 RG)
Ferrero (2003 RG)
Roddick (2003 USO)
Gaudio (2004 RG)
del Potro (2009 USO)
Cilic (2014 USO)
Thiem (2020 USO)
Medvedev, D. (2021 USO)

-De jure Slam champs-
Edmondson (1976 AO)
Tanner/Gerulaitis (1977 AO)
Teacher (1980 AO)
Kriek (1981-82 AO)

-De facto one-hit wonder (OE)-
Santana (1970 Barcelona)

Obviously that '70 pick is debatable and one could also argue the '77 AO duo (especially Roscoe) deserve props for their worthy careers while Thiem's '20 USO is a slight notch below the rest, but in the end you're really looking at 22-23 guys that merit comparison for a legit OE ranking. Since I don't care enough for a full dive I'll just leave y'all with my infallible picks:
  • Peakest - Goran on grass (no, Muster ain't beating peak Lendl/Wilander/Courier/Bruguera/Kuerten at RG, let alone Borg or Nadal), closely followed by Krajicek on said surface (the '98 W SF is a microcosm of their peak-to-peak hypothetical)
  • Most versatile - Stich, who probably makes all the 4 GS finals today (yes, due to the greater emphasis on the AO)
  • Most dangerous - Korda, the only guy among this bunch (if not among all players period) who could rip surefire winners off both wings, to go with an elite (if underappreciated) RoS for good measure
  • Most tenacious - Chang, whose unshakable determination would net him at least one '89 FO in any era
  • GOAT-killerest - Panatta, with not one but two Ws over Borg at RG! (say what you will about the earlier match, but taking out '76 Borg on his home turf is a monumental achievement no matter how you cut it)
  • Most dominant (run) - Noah, whose 67.5% of games won at '83 RG places him higher than any other Slam champ in OE history not named Borg, Nadal, Vilas, Agassi, Lendl, Nastase, Bruguera, McEnroe, Connors or Courier
  • Clutchest (ditto) - Orantes, who saved a record (OE) FIVE MPs in his SF vs. Vilas - 3 on his serve while down 0-5 in the 4th set (it's these 3 that the recent USTA vid references somewhat misleadingly) and another 2 on Willy's serve at 1-5!
  • Hollywoodest - Goran (duh)
  • A-Slam-is-a-Slam-est - ToJo and Thiem (tie)
  • WTFest - Gaudio (you're probably thinking of the final but seriously, check out his entire run)
  • Most celebratory - Cash and YoungMed (tie)
  • I-am-paying-for-this-microphone-est - Delpo
Tennis needs more one-hit wonders. Time to start pulling your weight, Alex and Stef!
 
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