Was Sampras one of the most boring Athletes Of All Time ?

[Otacon]

Question:

Who are the top boring great athletes of all time? I’m not talking about personalities. I mean strictly based on their style of play, or lack thereof. Athletes with no flair or who actively make the games boring to watch, but are brutally effective.​

I actually wanted to do this based solely on personality, but then I realized that most athletes are boring anyway, so you’d have 5,000 guys all tied for first. Even actors are more interesting people. So yes, let’s salute the athletes who were able to achieve immortality by demonstrating a technical proficiency so consistent and so routine that watching them made me beg for the sweet release of a sledgehammer to the temporal lobe. You will see a lot of obvious names on this list. That is because, like these athletes, I lack imagination.

1. Patrick Ewing

2. Pete Sampras. Everyone bitched about Pete Sampras’ mechanical dominance back when he was racking up titles. And guess what? Everyone was right. There’s no revising history for Pete Sampras. There’s no looking back and being oddly appreciative of him turning tennis into a rote, serve-and-volley massacre. Back in the day you could watch Pete Sampras and Goran Ivanisevic play a match and no one would hit a forehand for a ****ing hour. No thank you.

https://adequateman.deadspin.com/th...ll-time-1829917828#amp-jrGctP_Ta1sqgShURfVT9Q


Thoughts ?

 

[Jaitock1991]

Don't know if serious or not? To me he's actually one of the most aestethically pleasing players to watch. But each to his own I guess.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Question:

Thoughts?

​

There's a saying in tennis: you're only as good as your 2nd serve.

About Sampras' 2nd serve: it was not only technically sound, it was aesthetically on the mark, as well as his (often spectacular) running forehand not to mention his slam dunk overheads.

There's also a saying: if you used tennis acumen as a form of birth control you'd be China & India combined.

Thoughts? . Clownville: pop: you.

 

[MLM]

I like Pete's game but I suppose his demeanour was fairly uninteresting.

Koepka at #3 is a bit unfair, he's hardly exciting (I like his game though) but he's only just started to realise he actually likes golf so give him a bit of time, lol.

 

[Edhead-Fedhead]

So, Athletes of All Time? We're not talking strictly tennis on this? If so, there's A LOT to pick from....

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Question:

Who are the top boring great athletes of all time? I’m not talking about personalities. I mean strictly based on their style of play, or lack thereof. Athletes with no flair or who actively make the games boring to watch, but are brutally effective.​

I actually wanted to do this based solely on personality, but then I realized that most athletes are boring anyway, so you’d have 5,000 guys all tied for first. Even actors are more interesting people. So yes, let’s salute the athletes who were able to achieve immortality by demonstrating a technical proficiency so consistent and so routine that watching them made me beg for the sweet release of a sledgehammer to the temporal lobe. You will see a lot of obvious names on this list. That is because, like these athletes, I lack imagination.

1. Patrick Ewing

2. Pete Sampras. Everyone bitched about Pete Sampras’ mechanical dominance back when he was racking up titles. And guess what? Everyone was right. There’s no revising history for Pete Sampras. There’s no looking back and being oddly appreciative of him turning tennis into a rote, serve-and-volley massacre. Back in the day you could watch Pete Sampras and Goran Ivanisevic play a match and no one would hit a forehand for a ****ing hour. No thank you.

https://adequateman.deadspin.com/th...ll-time-1829917828#amp-jrGctP_Ta1sqgShURfVT9Q


Thoughts ?

You underestimate Sampras's game, which happens a lot to people who have rarely or never watched a whole match of him.

I recommend watching his matches with Agassi (a supposedly entertaining player) and see who delivers more of everything.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

You underestimate Sampras's game, which happens a lot to people who have rarely or never watched a whole match of him.

I recommend watching his matches with Agassi (a supposedly entertaining player) and see who delivers more of everything.

OP is re-posting someone else's opinion.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

OP is re-posting someone else's opinion.

My answer is to the expressed view.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

My answer is to the expressed view.

I'm sure he'll read it.

 

[WestboroChe]

Hope Pistol Pete is reading this and seeing people showing him the love now.

I don't necessarily agree with the OP but Sampras was boring in the same way that watching Michael Jordan play one on one with a HS player would be boring. But unlike Jordan, he had no personality and seemed to hate being on camera. He took the biggest tournament of the year and made it a non-event for almost a decade by basically hitting serves and crushing overheads. As time has passed I have learned to appreciate what an amazing player he was in all facets of the game but as a media personality he gets a D- and as a young fan of the game I just hated watching him play.

Now Rafa has done the same thing to the French and I don't like that either, but I'll say that Rafa has made his discomfort with being a public figure into a likeable quality (oh he's so shy!) combined as well with his quirks and such. Pete gave you nothing. He didn't understand the public relations game at all. Too bad, I'm sure Nike would have made up a sweet Pistol Pete logo to put on hats.

 

[skaj]

I don't get this thread, Sampras had one of the most exciting games in tennis history. Killer first serve, fantastic 2nd serve, he was getting to the net frequently, executing up there wonderfully, but also a great baseliner, marvelous athlete, tough in critical points... elegant on the top of it all. not to mention that running forehand(ka-boom!)

 

[WestboroChe]

I don't get this thread, Sampras had one of the most exciting games in tennis history. Killer first serve, fantastic 2nd serve, he was getting to the net frequently, executing up there wonderfully, marvelous athlete, tough in critical points... elegant on the top of it all. not to mention that running forehand(ka-boom!)

I don't know. It's a pretty common criticism of him. Amazing game. Amazing. But in terms of being a media personality who can grow the game and their own brand he fell woefully short. The only analogy I can think of is imagine if Roger Federer wasn't Fed. I don't mean as a player I mean as an ambassador for the sport. He's not just one of the top two or three best players ever he's also polite, smiles and talks openly and casually. Pete looked like he just wanted to be anywhere but on camera. Maybe he didn't want to do it, maybe he couldn't. I hope in my career I get to the best ever but not good at some less important aspect of it.

 

[skaj]

I don't know. It's a pretty common criticism of him. Amazing game. Amazing. But in terms of being a media personality who can grow the game and their own brand he fell woefully short. The only analogy I can think of is imagine if Roger Federer wasn't Fed. I don't mean as a player I mean as an ambassador for the sport. He's not just one of the top two or three best players ever he's also polite, smiles and talks openly and casually. Pete looked like he just wanted to be anywhere but on camera. Maybe he didn't want to do it, maybe he couldn't. I hope in my career I get to the best ever but not good at some less important aspect of it.

I am not a fan of his public persona, I find it to be quite boring, but the OP wrote " I’m not talking about personalities. I mean strictly based on their style of play ", so I was a bit confused.

as for Federer, I certainly don't find him to be a good ambassador for the sport(??), especially not "polite and talks openly and casually". he is a bitchy egomaniac, who can't handle loss, bullies chair umpires, acts like a spoiled brat when things don't go his way on court, gets irritated by routine questions at press conferences etc.

 

[ojo rojo]

 

[Big Bagel]

Back in the day you could watch Pete Sampras and Goran Ivanisevic play a match and no one would hit a forehand for a ****ing hour. No thank you.

In what way is a topspin forehand more exciting than a Sampras slam dunk?

Sampras is very exciting to watch. For boring I'd introduce the likes of Andy Murray; Sampras wouldn't even make the list of boring to watch on court.

 

[jlee0408]

Excellent and dynamic...never boring.

 

[Edhead-Fedhead]

I was surprised to see Martina Hingis on the list. I found the Smiling Assassin quite fun to watch (and, as a bonus, she wasn't a grunter!) I would put Arantxa Sánchez Vicario on the boring list instead, just because of her style of play.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

I am not a fan of his public persona, I find it to be quite boring, but the OP wrote " I’m not talking about personalities. I mean strictly based on their style of play ", so I was a bit confused.

as for Federer, I certainly don't find him to be a good ambassador for the sport(??), especially not "polite and talks openly and casually". he is a bitchy egomaniac, who can't handle loss, bullies chair umpires, acts like a spoiled brat when things don't go his way on court, gets irritated by routine questions at press conferences etc.

You live in the bizarro world

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Pete is the greatest champion I ever fought, even tougher than the unbeaten Gaul. Boring? ha ha ha ha. No, never boring, never Pete. He took care of his own needs, like any man should. His electric second swing lives long in all our memories. To Pete!

 

[Edhead-Fedhead]

You live in the bizarro world

Or, possibly just the "Fake Tennis News" world.... (or, maybe both)

 

[Mainad]

He certainly had a boring personality and somewhat arrogant with it. But one of the greatest players ever no doubt (even though his serve-fests with Ivanisevic at Wimbledon eventually caused the AELTC to slow the surface down).

 

[NatF]

He certainly had a boring personality and somewhat arrogant with it. But one of the greatest players ever no doubt (even though his serve-fests with Ivanisevic at Wimbledon eventually caused the AELTC to slow the surface down).

You have much to thank Pete for then

 

[George Turner]

Can't comment on most these, cos they're American sports that i have no interest in.

Some of the most boring athletes i know would be;

Geoffrey Boycott (cricket)
Jason Day (golf)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (football)
Peter Ebdon, Mark Selby (snooker)
Justin Pipe (darts)
Floyd Mayweather (boxing)
Michael Schumacher (formula one)
Jonny Wilkinson (Rugby)

Pete's Wimbledon match with goran in 1994 only had one rally above five shots!

 

[wangs78]

Pete's style of play was boring for the same reason all of the big servers of that era were boring. The points were super short because there was no way to effectively counter a big serve back then. Gven the racquet and string technology at the time, even a good returner could do little more than hit a weak return which could be easily put away with a clean volley. This was why they ultimately slowed down court speeds. I think what had a bigger impact though was string technology and the ability to impart more spin which enabled harder-hit and more angled return groundstrokes.

But anyway, Pete has tons of highlights from his career which are just amazing. From great stretch volleys, great half-volleys and touch shots and great running forehands and of course the slam dunk. But bc of his incredible serve, most of his points were one and done.

 

[Mainad]

You have much to thank Pete for then

I guess most players today owe him a debt of gratitude.

 

[Wurm]

Pete's serve and running forehand were things of beauty and his volleying was amazing. The end result on fast courts (particularly Wimbledon), when the technological balance between serving and returning was significantly in favour of the server, was that a 4 hour match would tend to be 3.5 hours of **** and 30 minutes of interesting points scattered throughout.

Between points his poker faced, slack jawed, tongue flopping out, stroppy teenager comportment made him seem like a right gormless twat. Interviews I've seen with him tend to only confirm that impression: he's incredibly dull and a bit of a sour faced nob.

 

[Moses85]

I never found his style of play boring and I'll take a sampras - ivanisevic match over a djokovic - murray anytime.

 

[Mainad]

I never found his style of play boring and I'll take a sampras - ivanisevic match over a djokovic - murray anytime.

Just the reverse for me. I like to see points being played (even if the rallies can go on a bit too long sometimes) rather than see the point instantly disappear with each humongous serve. But each to his own!

 

[Mainad]

Question. Who are the top boring great athletes of all time? I’m not talking about personalities. I mean strictly based on their style of play, or lack thereof. Athletes with no flair or who actively make the games boring to watch, but are brutally effective.

1. Patrick Ewing

Thoughts ?

Wasn't he one of the main characters in Dallas (the TV series)?

 

[Moses85]

Just the reverse for me. I like to see points being played (even if the rallies can go on a bit too long sometimes) rather than see the point instantly disappear with each humongous serve. But each to his own!

To many long points in that matchup is caused by the players being to passive. Long points per se are not boring.

 

[TheGreatOne1997]

Not sure how someone can watch a 5 hour ping pong fest between Murray and Nole and call Sampras "boring"

Today's tennis is boring. One dimensional goofs with no all court game. A bunch of kids who should be at the peaks of their career that can't even manage beat a couple of Geriatrics passed their primes with bad knees, backs, Gluten issues

 

[Mainad]

To many long points in that matchup is caused by the players being to passive. Long points per se are not boring.

I think you understimate their inter-actions. This myth of the 'boring' Djokovic-Murray matchups has got a bit out of hand. No-one (outside these boards) has ever complained to any of the tournament organisers to speed up their courts the way thousands of fans and commentators put pressure on Wimbledon to slow down the surface so they could watch some actual tennis being played!

 

[Roddick85]

Pete isn't known as a very charimastic individual because he kept to himself and was more of a private / introverted guy. Instead, he let his game do the talking on the tennis court. I just don't understand how one can't appreciate his game, watching him dominate with his S&V was a thing of beauty, his ground game is always quite underrated. Of all the past ATG in the game, it seems Sampras is the one who gets the less respect/love on these boards and I just don't understand why.

 

[TheGreatOne1997]

Pete isn't known as a very charimastic individual because he kept to himself and was more of a private / introverted guy. Instead, he let his game do the talking on the tennis court. I just don't understand how one can't appreciate his game, watching him dominate with his S&V was a thing of beauty, his ground game is always quite underrated. Of all the past ATG in the game, it seems Sampras is the one who gets the less respect/love on these boards and I just don't understand why.

Probably because of the points you made. Introverted, Kept to himself, let his game do the talking. Wasn't an attention w**** (He didn't even want to stay in NYC when the Open was going on. He stayed in Long Island) Didn't do ridiculous crap like put his initials on his clothes or Slam counts. He didn't dress like some Disco Reject with bright colorful outfits and headbands. Wasn't filling headlines in the newspaper with immature behavior.

People don't like introverted, mature people because most of society is comprised of extroverted immature nitwits

 

[pabletion]

Yes. Boring in between points.

Some have pointed out how exciting and thrilling his game was. YES, his game was one of the most exciting to watch, specially when he was ON, he was just unstoppable, unpassable, got to every and any ball, had any shot..... But most of the time (most), you coulnt tell wether he was winning or loosing. Expresion-less, same face, no smiles, no c'mons, no nothing. I find it boring and dull.

Might have been some of his arrogance as some pointed out, who knows? It was just the way he was.

If you compare Federer to Sampras now (whom some dare call boring too), Fed just looks like Nadal celebratin points!

I really like Sampras, it would've made him more likeable if he had a bit more of a "fire" in him to be more expressive, more outbursts, get the crowd behind him more often... Although he did do it more at the end of his career, wisely.

But again, to each their own, its just how he was, better that than a faker always.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Many people on TTW openly admit they didn't even start watching tennis until 2008, 2010 or 2012 (or even later). Why are these people wading into this thread when none ever saw Pete play? Until the big three, he was the GOAT, but I guess that's forgettable or extraneous.

 

[skaj]

You live in the bizarro world

how come?

 

[skaj]

I was surprised to see Martina Hingis on the list. I found the Smiling Assassin quite fun to watch (and, as a bonus, she wasn't a grunter!) I would put Arantxa Sánchez Vicario on the boring list instead, just because of her style of play.

yes, bizarre...

 

[Moses85]

I think you understimate their inter-actions. This myth of the 'boring' Djokovic-Murray matchups has got a bit out of hand. No-one (outside these boards) has ever complained to any of the tournament organisers to speed up their courts the way thousands of fans and commentators put pressure on Wimbledon to slow down the surface so they could watch some actual tennis being played!

It's just my opinion, an opinion made by watching their matches, not by reading this board. Relax I'm not putting the blame on Murray . Out of the big4 matchups that one just doesn't do it for me.

 

[KINGROGER]

Probably because of the points you made. Introverted, Kept to himself, let his game do the talking. Wasn't an attention w**** (He didn't even want to stay in NYC when the Open was going on. He stayed in Long Island) Didn't do ridiculous crap like put his initials on his clothes or Slam counts. He didn't dress like some Disco Reject with bright colorful outfits and headbands. Wasn't filling headlines in the newspaper with immature behavior.

People don't like introverted, mature people because most of society is comprised of extroverted immature nitwits

Would you say Pete is the GOAT?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

What I want to know is how on earth is Martina Hingis boring?

Crying in the FO final against the entire pro Graf crowd.
Taking cocaine and being suspended.
Rivalry with the Williams sisters.
Being engaged to Stepanek!

She was definitely not boring.

And to say
“Martina Hingis. The Swiss Miss, right? No one likes the Swiss.”

Um.... Federer?
Hingis was the OG Swiss player. Can’t take this person seriously

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

What I want to know is how on earth is Martina Hingis boring?

Crying in the FO final against the entire pro Graf crowd.
Taking cocaine and being suspended.
Rivalry with the Williams sisters.
Being engaged to Stepanek!

She was definitely not boring.

And to say
“Martina Hingis. The Swiss Miss, right? No one likes the Swiss.”

Um.... Federer?
Hingis was the OG Swiss player. Can’t take this person seriously

This is about style of play.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

His finishing move, the slam dunk! This is no exaggeration, he crushed their head right into their body. There has been nothing like it before or since. A move that made every crowd lose their senses. My friend Meles has recorded everything and he measured the roar from the crowd. Pete stands alone at the top for noise generated. He tells me they call it the whopping pistol.

.

 

[JoelSandwich]

Sampras game wasn’t boring

 

[byealmeens]

Pete's style of play was boring for the same reason all of the big servers of that era were boring. The points were super short because there was no way to effectively counter a big serve back then. Gven the racquet and string technology at the time, even a good returner could do little more than hit a weak return which could be easily put away with a clean volley. This was why they ultimately slowed down court speeds. I think what had a bigger impact though was string technology and the ability to impart more spin which enabled harder-hit and more angled return groundstrokes.

But anyway, Pete has tons of highlights from his career which are just amazing. From great stretch volleys, great half-volleys and touch shots and great running forehands and of course the slam dunk. But bc of his incredible serve, most of his points were one and done.

Agreed. And it's not Pete's fault the surfaces were faster ... he was certainly a great athlete and moved exceptionally well, but he rarely gets much credit for his game at the back (because he was so incredibly proficient coming in, of course). I personally think he gets a lot of grief because of his personality, and it did seem he didn't have the same "love" for the game as others ... but that is how it appeared to me.

 

[byealmeens]

Yes. Boring in between points.

Some have pointed out how exciting and thrilling his game was. YES, his game was one of the most exciting to watch, specially when he was ON, he was just unstoppable, unpassable, got to every and any ball, had any shot..... But most of the time (most), you coulnt tell wether he was winning or loosing. Expresion-less, same face, no smiles, no c'mons, no nothing. I find it boring and dull.

Might have been some of his arrogance as some pointed out, who knows? It was just the way he was.

If you compare Federer to Sampras now (whom some dare call boring too), Fed just looks like Nadal celebratin points!

I really like Sampras, it would've made him more likeable if he had a bit more of a "fire" in him to be more expressive, more outbursts, get the crowd behind him more often... Although he did do it more at the end of his career, wisely.

But again, to each their own, its just how he was, better that than a faker always.

Very true. He did have a little arrogance for sure, and seemed to often deny opponents the credit they deserved. But when he was on there was little anyone could do, so maybe some of that was warranted. I think Federer genuinely has more love for the game, and that has led to him being more of an ambassador for the sport.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Many people on TTW openly admit they didn't even start watching tennis until 2008, 2010 or 2012 (or even later). Why are these people wading into this thread when none ever saw Pete play? Until the big three, he was the GOAT, but I guess that's forgettable or extraneous.

Very true
I can't bear some 12-20 year olds saying these fricking things

 

[Druss]

You underestimate Sampras's game, which happens a lot to people who have rarely or never watched a whole match of him.

I recommend watching his matches with Agassi (a supposedly entertaining player) and see who delivers more of everything.

The reason those Sampras - Agassi matches were entertaining is because Agassi made it so. E.G: Sampras vs Ivanisevic matches made darts look like a spectacular highly entertaining sport. OTOH Agassi vs Ivanisevic = great match. Same can be said for Sampras vs Rafter (boring as watching paint dry) and Agassi vs Rafter (some of the best matches ever. Do you see the common denominator here? Agassi makes matches interesting! Sampras, Ivanisevic, Krajicek almost killed Wimbledon. They played a big part of the slowing down of the surface.

 

[Roddick85]

Probably because of the points you made. Introverted, Kept to himself, let his game do the talking. Wasn't an attention w**** (He didn't even want to stay in NYC when the Open was going on. He stayed in Long Island) Didn't do ridiculous crap like put his initials on his clothes or Slam counts. He didn't dress like some Disco Reject with bright colorful outfits and headbands. Wasn't filling headlines in the newspaper with immature behavior.

People don't like introverted, mature people because most of society is comprised of extroverted immature nitwits

In all honesty, as much as I like Fed, his PR stuff sometimes is a bit much. Not everyone likes the spotlight on them, and I can sort of relate to Sampras for that.
Pete's record were broken by the top 3, but he's still the best player of his generation IMO. No one plays like he does nowadays, so I do miss Pistol Pete.

 

[wangs78]

Agreed. And it's not Pete's fault the surfaces were faster ... he was certainly a great athlete and moved exceptionally well, but he rarely gets much credit for his game at the back (because he was so incredibly proficient coming in, of course). I personally think he gets a lot of grief because of his personality, and it did seem he didn't have the same "love" for the game as others ... but that is how it appeared to me.

Yes - no doubt. He's not a talker and not a "personality". He's a nice guy who keeps to himself. One of the things about this modern age of TV, the internet, and social media is it promotes personality far more than substance which is too bad. Ppl of substance often get short shrift if they lack in the personality department.