Value of Davis Cup and Doubles perfomances when determining greatness

[noeledmonds]

I have always belived that when discussing the greatest players ever that not enough weight is given to achivements in Davis Cup and doubles events.

Davis Cup records are not reflected by Grand Slam records, take Macenroe who has the best Davis Cup Record, with a 59-10 win-loss record. Agassi's Davis Cup performance is also great 30-6, but Sampras for example had a poorer record 19-9. There are many reasons why this might be but I would like to foccus on whether these differences make a difference to a player's greatness and achivements.

Doubles is generally not so relevant in the mens game, as so few great singles champions played doubles, but therefore those who did, e.g. Macenroe, surely deserve more credit. Macenroe's 9 doubles grand slams are barely mentioned, but surely show greatness.

Please try to keep this away from the GOAT discussion, staying more on the value of Doubles and Davis Cup to the great players. Also, is the Golden Grand Slam worth any more than the grand slam (includes Olympic Games)?

 

[urban]

Good points. For 60-70 years the DC was the most important competition in the world. A player like Cochet was ranked Nr.1 in 1931 alone on his DC challenge round results. Tilden, Perry, the great Aussies, all call DC the most important wins of their careers. Even Gonzales, who only played 2 challenge round singles daid, that he was nervous only in these two matches. I personally rank Borg alonside Sampras despite fewer majors, not the least because of his fabulous DC record. Of the modern players Becker, Mac, and Agassi had the best DC records.

 

[noeledmonds]

Good points. For 60-70 years the DC was the most important competition in the world. A player like Cochet was ranked Nr.1 in 1931 alone on his DC challenge round results. Tilden, Perry, the great Aussies, all call DC the most important wins of their careers. Even Gonzales, who only played 2 challenge round singles daid, that he was nervous only in these two matches. I personally rank Borg alonside Sampras despite fewer majors, not the least because of his fabulous DC record. Of the modern players Becker, Mac, and Agassi had the best DC records.

The only arguement against placing too much value on Davis Cup is that if you play for a country like the USA you will have the chance for more glory in the world group, where as some countries are a bit of a one man team.

 

[urban]

But Becker, Cash and even Stich and Lendl showed, that it is possible for a one man team, to make some history. Jelen, Steeb or Smid were able players, but not top ten. The leading player should be able to motivate his companions.Now with Wawrinka as second choice, Federer should give the DC a go.