The Masters of 1994, what a great tournament it was...

[mattennis]

The last few days I have been re-watching some of the matches of that great Masters of 1994. I still have old VHS tapes with some of those matches of that tournament ( Becker-Edberg, Becker-Sampras, Edberg-Sampras, Agassi-Bruguera, Agassi-Chang, Bruguera-Chang, the two SF: Sampras-Agassi and Becker-Bruguera, and the final: Sampras-Becker).

Seriously, great matches all of them. Yesterday was watching Agassi-Chang and Agassi-Bruguera: great aggressive baseline tennis on a medium (compared to that era, today it would be called fast) indoor carpet.

Some people don't remember that Chang was actually quite aggressive, both with his return of serve and with his ground strokes (and serve!), hitting them extremely early on the rise (even earlier than Agassi some may say) and flat, when playing on indoor carpet.

And Agassi was just....too strong, and too good. What a player Andre was (when focused!).

Also, even though Bruguera's retrieving skills are amazing, and he had a very very good serve (hit a ton of aces in this match) and solid heavy ground strokes, it is just that Agassi constant pressure is too much at the end.

 

[encylopedia]

Some people don't remember that Chang was actually quite aggressive, both with his return of serve and with his ground strokes (and serve!), hitting them extremely early on the rise (even earlier than Agassi some may say) and flat, when playing on indoor carpet.

I give Chang endless credit - he is THE best role model of pro tennis player I've ever seen, because:

1.I've never seen a player try harder for each and every point, in every match, for a whole career (including Mr. Connors) - but I will say Rafa is right up there.
2.I've never seen a player work to expand his game on every level: strategic, stroke mechanics, playing styles
3.I've never seen a player so willing to try/change/stick to completely(or subtly) different strategies depending on the situation - in huge matches, against top rivals...

To the point you're making....if Chang thought that was the best chance for him to win that day...then he'd go for it! ....and he'd expanded his strokes and skills enough to go for it....


On the subject of Bruguera...he does not get enough credit for his hardcourt prowess....saw a titanic struggle with Agassi at the Canadian once (in the same time period as your clips). Agassi really lost his cool in that match at one point, struggling with Sergei's heavy heavy spin....but Agassi was at top form and prevailed. (funny note: in a moment of rare honesty ;-) Agassi apologized to the umpire saying something like: sorry....I got mad...I feel better now that I won that last set....) lol. If I recall the umpires smiled and nodded.

If Bruguera had not had injuries, and just had MORE fight in him for hardcourts he would have been a threat everywhere.

 

[Moose Malloy]

When I think of this tournament, I always think of Agassi going ballistic on Rudy Berger in the semis vs Sampras(which was a very big match, Agassi was having the best fall indoor season of his career - he beat Pete in Paris! its on youtube btw - Pete really needed to slow down his momentum etc)

and on Chang, I recommend his match vs Sampras at '95 Masters. Never saw anyone try to return his serve inside the baseline. It clearly unnerved Pete, lost by the shocking score of 6-4, 6-4.

Chang really was willing to try anything(many say they will, but most never do)