Santoro versus Laver

[pc1]

in my ideal world, tennis players would have more interest in the history of their sport, and therefore, almost automatically have more respect for past champions and their contributions to the sport we love

Of course. We should all have respect for the past of a wonderful sport like tennis.

 

[TMF]

To be clear, after seeing Federer against Sampras in the 2001 Wimbledon, I have a ton of respect for Federer's return game. But, Laver's returns were just as great from at, or in front of, the baseline, not 10+ feet behind. That difference makes the same return much more effective.

Sampras was serving great in 2001 final. His 1st serve % was higher than normal in all of his Wimbledon final. We'll never know how Laver can handle Sampras' great serve since Laver never faced him.

I know you are going to say that you're older than me so you have more credibility. (sigh)

 

[treblings]

Of course. We should all have respect for the past of a wonderful sport like tennis.

i think it´s essential to understand, that the sport is where it is today because of what past players did and achieved. whether that´s jack kramer forming a pro circuit, or laver, gonzales, hoad and many others playing in some village on courts they´ve laid themselves before the matches.

 

[li0scc0]

To be clear, after seeing Federer against Sampras in the 2001 Wimbledon, I have a ton of respect for Federer's return game. But, Laver's returns were just as great from at, or in front of, the baseline, not 10+ feet behind. That difference makes the same return much more effective.

Different game.
Not the same return, but different.
Federer was deeper because he had to be.
Laver was in because he had to be.
Both methods work. Depends on the opponent, depends on the surface, depends on your playing style.

 

[pc1]

Different game.
Not the same return, but different.
Federer was deeper because he had to be.
Laver was in because he had to be.
Both methods work. Depends on the opponent, depends on the surface, depends on your playing style.

I agree. Laver did take the ball on the return earlier than most in my opinion.

 

[li0scc0]

I agree. Laver did take the ball on the return earlier than most in my opinion.

He sure did, and it was lovely to watch. And worked for him.

 

[Chopin]

PC1,

What do you think of this game I played as white?

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 d6 3. Qf3 Qf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. Nh3 h6 6. Nc3 Nd4 7. Qxf6 Nxf6 8. Kd2 Be7 9. Rf1 c6 10. f4 b5 11. fxe5 dxe5 12. Bb3 a6 13. a4 b4 14. Ne2 Nxb3 15. cxb3 Be6 16. d4 Nxe4 17. Kc2 Bf6 18. dxe5 Bxe5 19. Nef4 Bd7 20. Re1 f5 21. g3 O-O 22. Be3 Rac8 23. Rad1 Rcd8 24. Bb6 Bc8 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Bxd8 1-0 {Black resigns}

This game may be more interesting, as black:

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. d4 Qd6 4. Nf3 Bf5 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Ne5 c5 9. Nf3 Be7 10. Be3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nc6 12. Nxf5 Qxd1 13. Nxg7 Kf8 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Raxd1 Kf7 16. Rfe1 b5 17. Bb3 b4 18. Na4 Nd5 19. Bc5 Bxc5 20. Nxc5 Rhd8 21. Ne4 h6 22. Rd3 Na5 23. Rf3 Ke7 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Ng5 Kd7 26. Rf7 Kc6 27. Re6 Kb5 28. Nf3 Ka4 29. Re2 Re8 30. Nd4 Nc6 31. b3 Ka3 0-1 {White resigns}

 

[pc1]

This game may be more interesting, as black:

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. d4 Qd6 4. Nf3 Bf5 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Ne5 c5 9. Nf3 Be7 10. Be3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nc6 12. Nxf5 Qxd1 13. Nxg7 Kf8 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Raxd1 Kf7 16. Rfe1 b5 17. Bb3 b4 18. Na4 Nd5 19. Bc5 Bxc5 20. Nxc5 Rhd8 21. Ne4 h6 22. Rd3 Na5 23. Rf3 Ke7 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Ng5 Kd7 26. Rf7 Kc6 27. Re6 Kb5 28. Nf3 Ka4 29. Re2 Re8 30. Nd4 Nc6 31. b3 Ka3 0-1 {White resigns}

I'll check it out but I'm pretty busy over the next few days so it may take just a little while.

 

[Limpinhitter]

He sure did, and it was lovely to watch. And worked for him.

Worked for Agassi, too!

 

[Chopin]

I'll check it out but I'm pretty busy over the next few days so it may take just a little while.

Of course!

 

[Edberg&Becker]

laver old and with wooden raquet