Sampras' French Open Weakness and Grand Slam Consistency Displayed Today

[McEnroeisanartist]

I think Pete Sampras' weakness at the French Open and Grand Slam consistency was brought to attention today.

Andy Murray reached his 4th French Open quarterfinal, the same as Pete Sampras.

David Ferrer reached his 10th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, the same as Pete Sampras.

 

[coloskier]

I think Pete Sampras' weakness at the French Open and Grand Slam consistency was brought to attention today.

Andy Murray reached his 4th French Open quarterfinal, the same as Pete Sampras.

David Ferrer reached his 10th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, the same as Pete Sampras.

Considering Pete could give a rats ***** about clay, like most players in the 90's, not surprising. Even if he did win the Italian Open once. In the 70's and 80's, half the tour didn't even bother with FO. That is why it is still considered by most to be the red headed stepchild of the Grand Slams.

 

[AJB]

Don't know how you can read Sampras' mind to know his attitude towards clay but his relatively weak results on the surface, way out of proportion to his fast surface wins, are indisputable. The 70s and 80s have nothing to do with Sampras since they were before his time. And if any Slam is (was) considered the red-headed stepchild, it's got to be the Australian - for years, many players didn't make the trip because it was just too far. Of course that's all changed.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Considering Pete could give a rats ***** about clay, like most players in the 90's, not surprising. Even if he did win the Italian Open once. In the 70's and 80's, half the tour didn't even bother with FO. That is why it is still considered by most to be the red headed stepchild of the Grand Slams.

Noone in his right mind would say, that Pete didn't give a rats *** about clay.

He was trying very hard.

Roddick is someone, who didn't give a rats *** about clay.

 

[Agassifan]

I think Pete Sampras' weakness at the French Open and Grand Slam consistency was brought to attention today.

Andy Murray reached his 4th French Open quarterfinal, the same as Pete Sampras.

David Ferrer reached his 10th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, the same as Pete Sampras.

And if you compare this to Federer's records, you'll be left speechless.

 

[Russeljones]

I think the difference between the surfaces made competing on all four virtually impossible. Especially for certain builds.

 

[NADALRECORD]

Sampras was from an era when guys were skipping Wimbledon because they only cared about clay (even recently this was the case, when Nadal became the first defending Wimbledon champion ever to skip Wimbledon). Being "all-surface" is more an internet priority than a real world priority.

 

[Flash O'Groove]

I think the difference between the surfaces made competing on all four virtually impossible. Especially for certain builds.

Yet Edberg, Becker and Stich are players who had, as Sampras, an ill-suited game for clay. They were as well overall inferior players. Yet FO finalist.

 

[Russeljones]

Yet Edberg, Becker and Stich are players who had, as Sampras, an ill-suited game for clay. They were as well overall inferior players. Yet FO finalist.

I wouldn't say my opinion is scientific, but I will reiterate the part about the player's build. Sampras is more 'lanky', which doesn't seem to be a build that lends itself well to clay.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Noone in his right mind would say, that Pete didn't give a rats *** about clay.

He was trying very hard.

Roddick is someone, who didn't give a rats *** about clay.

LOL!

Roddick had two off seasons throughout the year.

 

[andrewski]

I wouldn't say my opinion is scientific, but I will reiterate the part about the player's build. Sampras is more 'lanky', which doesn't seem to be a build that lends itself well to clay.

Sampras was lanky? Not in comparison to Edberg or Stich, maybe Becker.

My mental image of Sampras was always of panther on the prowl: athletic and fast.

Sampras problem was more around his game than build.

Main weapon neutralised, backhand so, so (I mean in comparison to his overall excellence), ability to keep up baseline grinding before making an error not greatest either.

Not exactly set of attributes allowing him to succeed on clay.

I agree that Becker and others got to the final, but so some Russian guy, who nearly beat Agassi (leading by 2 sets, I think).

 

[chrischris]

Pete did really wnt to win at RG. To say he didnt care , is an alibi for the fact that he wasnt capable enough.

 

[NADALRECORD]

Sampras put way more effort into Roland Garros than a lot of the 90s claycourters put into Wimbledon.

 

[coloskier]

Yet Edberg, Becker and Stich are players who had, as Sampras, an ill-suited game for clay. They were as well overall inferior players. Yet FO finalist.

Sampras was an FO semifinalist.