The most important Slam victory in players' careers

[vanioMan]

For Nadal, I'd pick 4:

Roland Garros 2005 - first Slam.

Wimbledon 2008 - finally beat Federer on grass. Important in a sense that he realised he could win Slams off clay and now had the edge against Roger in Slams. Gave him lots of belief and played a huge part in him winning AO 2009.

Roland Garros 2010 - beating his new nemesis Soderling after a year and a half without winning Slams. It was a must win GS at that time, as people were begining to question if he was ever going to come back strong again. Laid the foundation for Wimbledon and US Open.

Roland Garros 2013 - kind of like 2010. After 7+ months being out of game due to injuries and with Djokovic playing sublime tennis, this was a must win. Enhanced his legacy greatly and gave him the confidence to win another US Open.

For Federer - Wimbledon 2003, US Open 2008, Roland Garros 2009. Maybe even Wimbledon 2007.

For Djokovic - Australian Open 2008, 2011 and Wimbledon 2014.

Overall, these would be my choices, barring their first victories:
1. Rafa - Wimbledon 2008
2. Federer - Roland Garros 2009 (not sure he would've broken Pete's record had he lost that one)
3. Djokovic - Wimbledon 2014

Feel free to include past players as well.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

For Djokovic - Australian Open 2012, Wimbledon 2014 and USO 2015
For Federer - Wimbledon 2007, 2009 and Roland Garros 2009
For Nadal - 2008 Wimbledon, 2009 Australian Open and 2013 Roland Garros
Overall I agree on Djoko (probably would have been a total mess if he choked that final) and Fed (completed GS and it gave him extra confidence to break Pete's record as you said), but would pick the 2009 Aussie Open for Rafa as the most important Slam. It defines his gladiator style and will to fight until the end.
For Federer and Nadal, if they win another Slam it could be the most significant for them both, while for Djokovic it would be a Roland Garros title.

 

[mavsman149]

Tough but if you have to pick one
Federer: RG 2009-his one shot at the French without Rafa
Nadal: Wimbledon 2008-Defeated Fed in a major off clay
Djokovic: Australian Open 2011-spurred his epic run and gave him the confidence to do it.

 

[NatF]

Not including the first slam;

Federer;

Wimbledon 2004 - Defended a slam for the first time, secured his first multi-slam year and fended off an inspired Roddick. This match was important for the aura and set Federer on the path to all-time-greatness.

French Open 2009 - Federer had one chance to complete the career slam and it almost didn't happen on more than one occasion. Had absolute wars with Haas and Del Potro. But in the final he was supreme. Tied Pete and it was such a momentous victory, it heralded his ascent to the top of the pile again even if he wasn't yet #1. Considering how much Djokovic has had to toil makes me appreciate this victory even more.

Wimbledon 2009 - Federer played for history under the gaze of Pete Sampras himself. Epic match. Roddick played his heart out and was sadly denied by a determined Federer. The record was broken as was prophesied many years before.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Wimbledon 2004 - Defended a slam for the first time, secured his first multi-slam year and fended off an inspired Roddick. This match was important for the aura and set Federer on the path to all-time-greatness.

agreed... roddick was a serious threat (even more after the beginning of the match !) and who knows how a different outcome might have turned the tables ?

 

[NatF]

agreed... roddick was a serious threat (even more after the beginning of the match !) and who knows how a different outcome might have turned the tables ?

Indeed, Federer's aura would have been significantly diminished and Roddick wouldn't have turned into a pusher. The rain break gave Federer the chance to rethink his strategy -enter more slice and dicing - and he won the match. The match was really close, Roddick was up a break in the third set and all the sets were tight.

Small but honourable mention to AO 2004, he beat two of his boogeymen in the 4R and QF e.g. Hewitt and Nalbandian (who had knocked him out of both the AO and USO the year before).

 

[vanioMan]

Anybody to comment on Sampras, Agassi, Lendl, Mac, Borg, Connors?

 

[Paul Murphy]

Lendl 1984 FO.
He'd lost a few major finals and the comeback win over McEnroe gave him the confidence and knowledge he could win more - he did - seven more - and then dominated tennis for the rest of the decade.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Wimbledon 2009.

Ascending to the top of the mountain, 16-14.

Also RG 2009.
Those two proved anything which had not already been proven.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Anybody to comment on Sampras, Agassi, Lendl, Mac, Borg, Connors?

Lovin' Pete's WIM 1999, such GOAT play.

Also Borg Wimbledon 1980, 'nuff said.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

And Fed winning AO 2007 in straights hot off 2006 lol.

Tour in complete ruins.

Oh and good thread, OP.

 

[vanioMan]

Surprised to see nobody mention Fed's 2008 US Open win. It basically saved his disastrous season, secured his #2 spot and kept his belief that he could break the record in 2009. Losing both USO 08 and AO 09 would've been too much for him, imo.

 

[NatF]

Surprised to see nobody mention Fed's 2008 US Open win. It basically saved his disastrous season, secured his #2 spot and kept his belief that he could break the record in 2009. Losing both USO 08 and AO 09 would've been too much for him, imo.

Good point, it was a very important victory for him. He was in trouble against Andreev as well. He had one of the GOAT celebrations after that match;

 

[PMChambers]

Mac - 81 Wim
Lendl - 84 FO
Laver - 69 US
Becker - 89 Wim
Borg - 78 FO maybe 80 Wim

 

[Red Rick]

Murray - Wimbledon 2013.

Well, not just because he broke the dry streak, but also because it's the only slam he won after the first one

 

[stringertom]

Wawrinka '14AO...beating Djokovic en route to the surprise final win vs #1 Nadal. Without the confidence gained by those wins, he never wins RG'15 and stops the CYGS.

 

[vanioMan]

Good point, it was a very important victory for him. He was in trouble against Andreev as well. He had one of the GOAT celebrations after that match;

How Arrogant of Fed... to show emotion vs some MUG... pitiful!

 

[NatF]

How Arrogant of Fed... to show emotion vs some MUG... pitiful!

He was trying to take a leap out of social victor Nadal's book and connect with the fans.

 

[ibbi]

Federer - Roland Garros 2009
Nadal - US Open 2013
Djokovic - Hmmmmm...Wimbledon 2011 probably.
Agassi - Wimbledon 1992
Sampras - Another tough one... I'd say the most important victory of his career is actually probably the 95 Davis Cup. Slams is a tough one... Maybe Australia 1997.
Borg - Wimbledon 1980
McEnroe - Wimbledon 1981
Connors - US Open 1976
Wilander - US Open 1988
Lendl - US Open 1985
Becker - US Open 1989
Edberg - US Open 1991

 

[BeatlesFan]

Nadal: 2008 Wimbledon
Fed: 2009 French Open
Lendl: 1984 French Open
Sampras: 2002 US Open (nailed #14, never played again)
Borg: 1990 Wimbledon
Agassi: 1999 French Open, completes the CGS

 

[Fedeonic]

Nadal: Wimbledon 2008 (ended a 5-year reign of Federer in grass)
Federer: Roland Garros 2009 (even if he wins the long awaited 18th Slam, still this is his greatest win ever)
Djokovic: Australian Open 2011 (kicked-off one of the best seasons ever)
Murray: Wimbledon 2013 (broke the curse)
Sampras: US Open 2002 (the best way ever to end a career)
Connors: Wimbledon 1982 (beat Mac at his very best)
Borg: Wimbledon 1980 (nobody had ever won 5 consecutives titles at a single major at that time)
Agassi: Roland Garros 1999 (completed the CGS, everybody thought him dead)
Lendl: Roland Garros 1984 (slayed off his demons in a major final)
McEnroe: Wimbledon 1981 (like Nadal, broke a 5-year reign of Borg at Wimbledon)
Vilas: US Open 1977 (crowned his best season ever, beating an in-form Connors, even he was elevated by the fans after the final)

 

[Rosstour]

Surprised to see nobody mention Fed's 2008 US Open win. It basically saved his disastrous season, secured his #2 spot and kept his belief that he could break the record in 2009. Losing both USO 08 and AO 09 would've been too much for him, imo.

Yes! Absolutely.

My 3 for Fed:

1. RG09
2. USO08
3. AUS10

 

[Steve0904]

Surprised to see nobody mention Fed's 2008 US Open win. It basically saved his disastrous season, secured his #2 spot and kept his belief that he could break the record in 2009. Losing both USO 08 and AO 09 would've been too much for him, imo.

The only reason this is not mentioned more is because of RG 2009. Unquestionably the most important victory of Federer's career IMO. You could say Wimbledon 2009 I guess, but he doesn't even break the record outright at Wimbledon if he doesn't win RG (and complete the career slam). And even if he doesn't break it at Wimbledon it gets broken at the USO or the AO guaranteed.

For Nadal I'd say USO 2010 if I had to pick one. Again, completion of the career slam.

For Djokovic it's probably Wimbledon 2014. Broke his mini slump in slam finals and the later stages of slams in general.

For Murray, Wimbledon 2013. First slam was huge, but nothing tops breaking the British drought.

Agassi's is RG 99 without question.

Sampras is an interesting one. USO 96 saved a season ala Fed in 2008, and USO 2002 sent him out on the highest of highs. I'd probably pick USO 96 since his legacy was already secure in 2002.

 

[Garhi Shot First]

Wawrinka '14AO...beating Djokovic en route to the surprise final win vs #1 Nadal. Without the confidence gained by those wins, he never wins RG'15 and stops the CYGS.

I agree. Finally beating Djokovic in one of their 5-setters was what triggered the emergence of Stanimal's final form. The defiance he showed in 2013 turned into self-assurance, and a Stanimal with self-assurance is the dragon slayer Magnus Norman knew he could be. (Too bad he still trips over rabbits and mice... )

Some others:
Borg - W80
McEnroe - W81
Connors - USO82
Becker - W85
Edberg - USO92
Agassi - RG99
Nadal - W08
Federer - RG09
Murray - W13
Djokovic - either W14 or USO15

I can't pick one for Sampras.

 

[AngieB]

#HELLO.....

Grand Slam Tennis existed for well over a hundred years prior to Federer, Nadal and Sampras. Try harder.

#PTL #JC4Ever

Angie​

 

[norbac]

For Petr Korda it had to be the AO 1998.

For Safin either US Open 2000 or AO 2005.

 

[BVSlam]

For Petr Korda it had to be the AO 1998.

For Safin either US Open 2000 or AO 2005.

Agreed. For Hewitt, it's a close one between US Open 2001 and Wimbledon 2002. I think those were his two most important slams.

 

[beast of mallorca]

For Nadal, I'd pick 4:

Roland Garros 2005 - first Slam.

Wimbledon 2008 - finally beat Federer on grass. Important in a sense that he realised he could win Slams off clay and now had the edge against Roger in Slams. Gave him lots of belief and played a huge part in him winning AO 2009.

Roland Garros 2010 - beating his new nemesis Soderling after a year and a half without winning Slams. It was a must win GS at that time, as people were begining to question if he was ever going to come back strong again. Laid the foundation for Wimbledon and US Open.

Roland Garros 2013 - kind of like 2010. After 7+ months being out of game due to injuries and with Djokovic playing sublime tennis, this was a must win. Enhanced his legacy greatly and gave him the confidence to win another US Open.

For Federer - Wimbledon 2003, US Open 2008, Roland Garros 2009. Maybe even Wimbledon 2007.

For Djokovic - Australian Open 2008, 2011 and Wimbledon 2014.

Overall, these would be my choices, barring their first victories:
1. Rafa - Wimbledon 2008
2. Federer - Roland Garros 2009 (not sure he would've broken Pete's record had he lost that one)
3. Djokovic - Wimbledon 2014

Feel free to include past players as well.

You should have 1 or at most 2 choices only, I think

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Agreed. For Hewitt, it's a close one between US Open 2001 and Wimbledon 2002. I think those were his two most important slams.

2003 Davis Cup - beat Federer.
2002 Masters Cup - beat Federer.
2002 Masters Cup - beat Ferrero.
2001 Davis Cup (clay) - beat Kuerten.

 

[norbac]

Agreed. For Hewitt, it's a close one between US Open 2001 and Wimbledon 2002. I think those were his two most important slams.

Oh, apologies. Are we still counting Hewitt's Slam tournament wins as legitimate?

Hard to keep up with all of the crazy trends on TT these days, you know!

 

[duaneeo]

You should have 1 or at most 2 choices only, I think

I agree. Naming 4-5 as the "most" important almost defeats the purpose of the question.

Federer: 2009 Roland Garros. Had he not won that title, it would have demoralized him for many years to come.

Nadal: 2013 Roland Garros. Don't think he would have won 2013 USO or 2014 RG had he lost to Nole in the semis.

Djokovic: 2014 Wimbledon. He would have gone without a slam title for the year, which would have affected him in 2015.

Murray: 2012 US Open. Don't think he would have won 2013 Wimbledon had he been seeking his first slam title.

 

[beast of mallorca]

Oh, apologies. Are we still counting Hewitt's Slam tournament wins as legitimate?

Hard to keep up with all of the crazy trends on TT these days, you know!

Hewitt's Slam wins should be considered as just Masters 1000. Those transional era wins shouldn't count.........

 

[beast of mallorca]

I agree. Naming 4-5 as the "most" important almost defeats the purpose of the question.

Federer: 2009 Roland Garros. Had he not won that title, it would have demoralized him for many years to come.

Nadal: 2013 Roland Garros. Don't think he would have won 2013 USO or 2014 RG had he lost to Nole in the semis.

Djokovic: 2014 Wimbledon. He would have gone without a slam title for the year, which would have affected him in 2015.

Murray: 2012 US Open. Don't think he would have won 2013 Wimbledon had he been seeking his first slam title.

For Nadal : 2008 Wimbledon and 2010 US Open, whereby he completed his career GS

For Federer: 2009 FO

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Hewitt's Slam wins should be considered as just Masters 1000. Those transional era wins shouldn't count.........

 

[Deleted member 307496]

For Nadal : 2008 Wimbledon and 2010 US Open, whereby he completed his career GS

For Federer: 2009 FO

Weakest transitional period in tennis history. Nadal only had Fed as competition, who is a weak era benefactor. In most other eras Nadal would be sitting on 1 or 2 slams.

 

[Noleberic123]

Weakest transitional period in tennis history. Nadal only had Fed as competition, who is a weak era benefactor. In most other eras Nadal would be sitting on 1 or 2 slams.

for his career??? wow

 

[Deleted member 307496]

for his career??? wow

In 2013 Nole hadn't hit his prime yet. Nadal is at his best today (no injuries) and you can see he doesn't stand a chance against him. The game has simply evolved.

 

[Noleberic123]

In 2013 Nole hadn't hit his prime yet. Nadal is at his best today (no injuries) and you can see he doesn't stand a chance against him. The game has simply evolved.

well no one really stands a chance against him

 

[duaneeo]

In most other eras Nadal would be sitting on 1 or 2 slams.

Regardless of the period, Nadal would difficult to beat at Roland Garros.

 

[vanioMan]

#HELLO.....

Grand Slam Tennis existed for well over a hundred years prior to Federer, Nadal and Sampras. Try harder.

#PTL #JC4Ever

Angie​

Hello. I don't exist for well over a 100 years. Do you?

You should have 1 or at most 2 choices only, I think

I agree. Naming 4-5 as the "most" important almost defeats the purpose of the question.

Federer: 2009 Roland Garros. Had he not won that title, it would have demoralized him for many years to come.

Nadal: 2013 Roland Garros. Don't think he would have won 2013 USO or 2014 RG had he lost to Nole in the semis.

Djokovic: 2014 Wimbledon. He would have gone without a slam title for the year, which would have affected him in 2015.

Murray: 2012 US Open. Don't think he would have won 2013 Wimbledon had he been seeking his first slam title.

I mentioned only 1 in the end of my post. Please read more carefully.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Federer- RG '09

Rafa- USO '10

Novak- Wimbledon '14

Murray -Wimbledon '13

 

[SpinToWin]

For Djokovic I would actually say the Australian Open 2011, as I am not sure if he would have gone on such a roll after that had he not won the tournament.