Toxicmilk
Professional
It's because it's never just one :twisted:
Safin or Chang?
- Thread starter JBIMH
- Start date
It's because it's never just one :twisted:
goober
Legend
The original question was which career would you rather have- Safin or Chang? Not who is better or more talented or has more slams.
Now that Safin is pretty much retired...
Money
Safin career earnings: 14 million
Chang: 19 million (1990's dollars)
Endorsement earnings
Chang: estimated 50-60 million
Safin: not sure, but I doubt it is anywhere close to this figure.
Financially- Chang> Safin
Career accomplishments:
Chang 34 titles, 1 slam winner 3 times finalists in slams
Safin 15 titles 2 slam winners 2 times runner up.
This is pretty much a wash. The 34 titles is a much better "career" than 15. Both were in 4 slam finals with the edge to Safin for winning 2 of them.
Public perception.
Safin: very talented but basically squandered his talent.
Chang: did everything he could possibly do with what he had.
So overall I would take Chang's career.
Now that Safin is pretty much retired...
Money
Safin career earnings: 14 million
Chang: 19 million (1990's dollars)
Endorsement earnings
Chang: estimated 50-60 million
Safin: not sure, but I doubt it is anywhere close to this figure.
Financially- Chang> Safin
Career accomplishments:
Chang 34 titles, 1 slam winner 3 times finalists in slams
Safin 15 titles 2 slam winners 2 times runner up.
This is pretty much a wash. The 34 titles is a much better "career" than 15. Both were in 4 slam finals with the edge to Safin for winning 2 of them.
Public perception.
Safin: very talented but basically squandered his talent.
Chang: did everything he could possibly do with what he had.
So overall I would take Chang's career.
S
SerbWhoLovesDelPo
Guest
Depends on the person... I wouldn't choose either of them.... maybe Chang, if you insist
But did he really give it his best? He could perhaps have done a little better against Muster in that French final. Wasn't he leading by 2 breaks in the first set?
But did he really give it his best? He could perhaps have done a little better against Muster in that French final. Wasn't he leading by 2 breaks in the first set?
goober
Legend
Many also forget that Chang won 7 master series titles and was runner up at 2.
abmk
Bionic Poster
The point was that many(most) arguments focussed only on safin's 2 slam wins vs chang's consistency+1 slam win ... all I wanted to point out was that safin didn't do that badly at the masters , but obviously you didn't get it
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drwood
Professional
He choked against Muster up 5-2 in that first set...a real pity, since he had demolished Stich and then beat Bruguera (the 2-time defending champ) in the semis in straight sets. He also lost to Moya in the 97 Aus SF when a victory would have put him in the final against Sampras whom he had just beaten at Kooyong prior to the tournament.
Chang also blew a great opportunity at the 97 US Open. After Sampras lost, he was the odds-on favorite (similar to Fed this year at the French after Nadal lost), but it was obvious that the pressure bothered him -- he failed to close out Rios in the QF after being up 2 sets (having to win in 5), and then was destroyed by Rafter -- a player he had OWNED before then -- in the SF. He would never advance past the 3rd rd in a slam again.
Probably the biggest difference between Safin and Chang is that Safin became #1 while Chang never did (he was a win away at the 96 US Open).
I'd prefer Chang's attitude with Safin's accomplishments, but if I had to choose one career, I'd take Chang's.
goober
Legend
I don't remember much from that FO other than I don't' think anybody was going to beat Muster that year on clay. The guy won 40 straight matches on clay in 1995. Besides a persons reputation is not built on a single match, but over many years and 100s of matches. If you just looked at Safin's Aussie open title run in isolation you would think this guy gives 100% in all his matches.
C
ceberus
Guest
I would choose Safin, just for the love of the people. Anywhere he goes, he's extremely popular. Too bad he is a headcase and I haven't seen a guy in any sport throw away talent like that. WTF is up with the man.
kimbahpnam
Hall of Fame
Is Safin going to the HoF?
Golden Retriever
Hall of Fame
I pick Chang because I have a bad feeling that Safin would end up homeless in his 40's.
antoaneta71
Rookie
You don't follow tennis too much ,do you?
His sister plays tennis and earns millions $
He would be OK
OJ ROD
Semi-Pro
I think he can take care of himself. And anyway, who would want to live off a family member, especially their sister?
Azzurri
Legend
very well stated and with logic, as usual goober. How anyone can argue logic is beyond me. It amazes me how little people understand the word "career". Would I rather BE Safin?? sure, but what name would I rather have in the books: CHANG.
Azzurri
Legend
exactly the reason why I have him on my ignore list...complete degenerate liar.
Azzurri
Legend
so you would rather be homeless, living in a box than getting help from a close family member?
Azzurri
Legend
while he was a headcase on the court, he seems like a very bright person. I don't think he is a Mark Phillapousis in any regard (brains). but yes, I doubt he will be on the streets if his family has money.
tennisdad65
Hall of Fame
Chang for me.
the guy was ~5-7? He was 5 inches away from another 5 slams
.
He would have been #1 for atleast 1 year if it were not for a guy named Sampras.
3 grand slam finals losses were to Pete, Becker, and a Red Hot muster at the french.
I think Chang was consistently a top 10 player (~8 yrs) over a longer period than Safin (~6 yrs)?
68% match wins for Chang.. 61% match wins for Safin
the guy was ~5-7? He was 5 inches away from another 5 slams
.He would have been #1 for atleast 1 year if it were not for a guy named Sampras.
3 grand slam finals losses were to Pete, Becker, and a Red Hot muster at the french.
I think Chang was consistently a top 10 player (~8 yrs) over a longer period than Safin (~6 yrs)?
68% match wins for Chang.. 61% match wins for Safin
OJ ROD
Semi-Pro
MichaelChang
Hall of Fame
You want to be rich or poor? What? You hate money? You'd rather stick with one who made less money in their career?? ok...
OJ ROD
Semi-Pro
My point is that I'd rather take a job as janitor or pig farmer than live of someone else. Even if it is my sister.
Damn you guys are quick to jump.
MichaelChang
Hall of Fame
Janitor or pig farmer, does not matter, because Safin is not that type of person. He is a party banger and playboy.
OJ ROD
Semi-Pro
I don't really know him. But desperate situations can bring out parts of a person's character that are not obvious or even recognizable. That's may be how he lives his life now(I don't know him so I can't say for sure), but that may not be who he is at his core.
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
Did anyone say, "Safin, because Chang still isn't tall enough to go on the rides at Six Flags?" Oh, I just did.
Safin. On major's alone - he won 2 - Chang's one was a fluke - everything, including Lendl's epic choke broke his way those two weeks. In all other majors Chang would lose at some point to a superior player.
Safin. On major's alone - he won 2 - Chang's one was a fluke - everything, including Lendl's epic choke broke his way those two weeks. In all other majors Chang would lose at some point to a superior player.
World Beater
Hall of Fame
chang was a nice player.
but people remember the highlights.
for that safin gets the nod.
the guy was a beast. he was one of the few who could subdue the greatest players even when they still played well.
but people remember the highlights.
for that safin gets the nod.
the guy was a beast. he was one of the few who could subdue the greatest players even when they still played well.
Azzurri
Legend
winning a major is not a fluke. you do realize he had to beat 6 other opponents (including IVAN LENDL). How is this a fluke?
