Gonzales did duck a few.Of course the Gonzalez of 1948 had no friends w the dough to help him go to Wimbledon (and possibly RG, etc.). His wealthiest friend at that time was probably Frank Shields, who came up from the working class and was not of "upperclass level" wealth. And in 1948, Shields had just met Gonzalez. As the man said, think about where Richard came from. In 1948 he was practically unknown. Years later he would have wealthy, famous acquaintances or friends. Years later.
Of course Gonzalez played Wimbledon every chance he had to do so. Played RG a half-dozen times.
Of course Gonzalez played plenty in Europe. Just check the records in The Professional Tennis Archive. Gonzalez skipped Wembley and RG in 1959 to try to hurt Jack Kramer's pocketbook. Ditto in 1960. I think he was trying to get at Kramer in 1960 but he was also talking retirement around that time, so I am not sure of his motivation in 1960. Otherwise, for his pro career, he went to Europe as much as we would expect him too. Went down under frequently, also. Never ducked a duel. Never avoided a surface. His final season, 1961, he played all the Brit-Euro tournaments. After his comeback, he competed in Europe and Britain in 1964. In 1965, Gonzalez did not go to Europe after playing 20 tournaments in Australia and the USA. 1966-67 Gonzalez was clearly a part-time competitor. But he went to England to cop the BBC tournament in '66 and to participate at the Wimbledon Pro in '67, as a poster noted.
In the early years of the Open Era Gonzalez remained a part-time competitor. Doesn't much matter if he did not go to the Continent in those years. He picked his spots - mostly the ones with the big paycheck possibilities - and scored some big upsets and decent cash. And the four trips to Wimbledon 1968-72 is correctly reported.
What happened to Pancho and Ken?1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Nadal
4. Laver
5. My guy Pete …no FO is why he is lower for me
6. Borg
7. Mcnroe
8. Lendl
9. Connors
10. Agassi
Having Pancho that low will anger the Fed fanbaseDjokovic
Federer
Nadal
Borg
Sampras
Laver
Gonzales
Agassi
Lendl
Tilden
DjokovicIn no particular order:
Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Sampras, Borg, Laver, Gonzalez, Kramer, Budge and Tilden. Honorable Mentions: Lendl, Connors, McEnroe, Hoad and Perry.
IGNORANCEWhat happened to Pancho and Ken?
For the Open Era, this list still pretty much works for me, tho' I'd put Connors/Lendl/Mac in that order. I'm setting aside dubs and Davis cup as a factor, obviously.1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Nadal
4. Laver
5. My guy Pete …no FO is why he is lower for me
6. Borg
7. Mcnroe
8. Lendl
9. Connors
10. Agassi
Djokovic1.Federer
2.Djokovic
3.Pistol Pete
4.Mcenroe
5.Nadal
6.Connors
7.Lendl
8.Laver
9.Borg
10.Edberg
1.Federer
2.Djokovic
3.Pistol Pete
4.Mcenroe
5.Nadal
6.Connors
7.Lendl
8.Laver
9.Borg
10.Edberg
Why Nadal "only"5?Clay court reasons
Nadal at 5 over Pete and Johnny Mac…No FO which is one of the main tennis events is automatically a case for not top 3 for those guys and I say that as a Pete fan.1.Federer
2.Djokovic
3.Pistol Pete
4.Mcenroe
5.Nadal
6.Connors
7.Lendl
8.Laver
9.Borg
10.Edberg
Why Nadal "only"5?Clay court reasons
The main advantage Nadal has is that he is the undisputed greatest clay court player ever. No-one else comes close, as far as I know. The same cannot be said of any other player on hard or grass. He also has won 2 Wimbledon's, 2 AO and 4 USO on hard courts. He has as many YE at #1 as -Federer, He has the superior H-H vs Roger and more big tournaments won. Sampras and McEnroe never won the FO or did very well on clay, elsewhere.Nadal has never had long uninterrupted stretches of complete dominance over the entire tennis landscape, as his career coincided with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Federer, particularly in the mid-2000s, was seen as an almost unbeatable force on various surfaces.
Similarly, Pete Sampras and John McEnroe,had periods in their careers where they were seen as dominant figures in men's tennis.
But Nadal never dominated mens tennis in general,as Fed,Pistol Pete and Big Mac did.Period.The main advantage Nadal has is that he is the undisputed greatest clay court player ever. No-one else comes close, as far as I know. The same cannot be said of any other player on hard or grass. He also has won 2 Wimbledon's, 2 AO and 4 USO on hard courts. He has as many YE at #1 as -Federer, He has the superior H-H vs Roger and more big tournaments won. Sampras and McEnroe never won the FO or did very well on clay, elsewhere.
Besides 84, how many years did Mac dominate? No doubt, he did will a few years after 84, but not many as far as I know.But Nadal never dominated mens tennis in general,as Fed,Pistol Pete and Big Mac did.Period.
McEnroe finished at the top of the world rankings for four consecutive seasons (1981–1984) and was the dominant player on the ATP Tour in the first half of the 1980s. In 1984, he hardly ever lost.Besides 84, how many years did Mac dominate? No doubt, he did will a few years after 84, but not many as far as I know.
True, 84 was a fabulous year for Mac but the fact is that Nadal ended 5 years at #1, won 92 tournaments vs 77 for Mac. Of course, the biggest blemish on Nadal's career is that he never won the WTF title. Whatever, both were ATG players though with entirely different playing styles in very different eras.McEnroe finished at the top of the world rankings for four consecutive seasons (1981–1984) and was the dominant player on the ATP Tour in the first half of the 1980s. In 1984, he hardly ever lost.
This fits my requirement that Djokovic and Laver are in top 5
YE at #1- Edberg-2, Becker-0re.
I would put them in this order: Becker, then Edberg, then Wilander. Becker has 5 Season end final championships indoors at a time 80s/90s that indoor tennis was a big deal. Edberg has 1, Wilander 0. Beckers 5 Season end finals championships (3 WTF, 1 WCT Final, 1 Grand Slam Cup) more than makes up for the 1 less slam than Wilander.
Important Title achievement, in my view, is weighter than weeks at number 1 (though to be sure it still is an important marker nonetheless)YE at #1- Edberg-2, Becker-0
Weeks at #1- Edberg-72, Becker-12
I Agree, but YE at #1 tops a few more big titles especially as Boris has none.Important Title achievement, in my view, is weighter than weeks at number 1 (though to be sure it still is an important marker nonetheless)
Pancho might be top 3 in the pickleball era but beating Martha, Agatha, and Tabitha does not put you in the top 3 of anything except eating sandwiches with your tea.After some thinking, I realize that Djokovic, Laver and Pancho are top 3 all time with Federer closely behind. @Lleytonstation agrees with me.
Tier 1: Pancho, Laver, Djokovic, Federer, NadalAfter some thinking, I realize that Djokovic, Laver and Pancho are top 3 all time with Federer closely behind. @Lleytonstation agrees with me.
What about Wilander, Ashe, Nastase, and Smith?Open Era
1 Djokovic
2 Federer
3 Nadal
4 Sampras
5 Borg
6 Connors
7 Andre Agassi
8 Lendl
9 McEnroe
10 Becker
——Honorable mentions
11 Edberg
12 Courier
13 Murray
14 Alcaraz
15 Wawrinka
16 Kuertan
17 Safin
18 Hewitt
19 Medvedev
20 Chang
Perhaps Wilander, but not Ashe, Nastase or Smith.What about Wilander, Ashe, Nastase, and Smith?
I don't really see a case for Ashe (3 Majors + WCT Finals), Nastase (2 Majors + 4 WTF), or Smith (2 Majors + WTF + WCT Finals) behind the likes of Medvedev (1 Major + 1 WTF) and Chang (1 Major).Perhaps Wilander, but not Ashe, Nastase or Smith.
Lol1. Djokovic
2. Nadal
3. Federer
4. Sampras
5. Borg
6. Laver
7. Gonzales
8. Rosewall
9. Tilden
10. Lendl or another long list
YE No. 1 is for the whole year, requires consistency.Important Title achievement, in my view, is weighter than weeks at number 1 (though to be sure it still is an important marker nonetheless)
WRONG!In no particular order
1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Nadal
4. McEnroe
5. Borg
6. Connors
7. Sampras
8. Agassi
9. Laver
10. Rosewall
Can’t quantify it, but McEnroe is the greatest ever
Edberg doesn't often appear that high1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Nadal
4. Sampras
5. Borg
6. Connors
7. Lendl
8. Agassi
9. McEnroe
10. Edberg
True, but IMO, he should!Edberg doesn't often appear that high
Wilander had bad longevity.Perhaps Wilander, but not Ashe, Nastase or Smith.