Which match was the highest ever combined level of tennis?

[NonP]

OE only:

AO* - 2005 SF, Safin d. Fraud / 2013 4R, Djoker d. Stanimal (the former for the average GPA, the latter for the cracking 5th which is what ultimately matters)
RG - 1993 F, Bruguera d. Courier
WIM - 1995 SF, Pistol vs. Crazy Goran
USO - 1984 USO SF, Mac d. Jimbo
YEC - 1996 F, Pistol d. Boom Boom

*For the highest peak Down Under, nothing beats the 4th-set TB between Dre and Pete:

Agassi's Greatest Performance?

Was just wondering about this because so many of the greats have obvious selections for theirs. I don't know if Agassi's is as obvious as some of the others. Maybe that one performance vs Sampras where he beat him like 6-2 6-2?

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

P.S. Looks like @abmk (almost) beat me to it.

'09 AO even with the 5th. That was peak defensive game on HC from Nadal. Federer collapsed in the fifth because Nadal was simply still retrieving every single ball until that point. W'08 should've been straights.

I'd be very tempted to put this even over the '13 Novak-Stan if not for Fred's total meltdown in the 5th, but it did happen.

 

[Blahovic]

It really is ridiculous how crispy that match is. What Nadal did, especially after the semi was just unbelievable. If he didn't have your jaw on the floor half a dozen times during the match, you don't like tennis lol.

That Fed forehand slice shot in that rally is still one of my favourite ever shots. I still remember watching it live.

 

[Blahovic]

Nadal-Versdasco should be on this list.

 

[MichaelNadal]

That Fed forehand slice shot in that rally is still one of my favourite ever shots. I still remember watching it live.

And just like the commies, I think the entire world made the same noise when he hit it lol "aoughhh!!!" And Nadal got to it and did a signature 360 spin slice. Epic AF!!

Imagine if Nadal could still move like that now

 

[junior74]

And just like the commies, I think the entire world made the same noise when he hit it lol "aoughhh!!!" And Nadal got to it and did a signature 360 spin slice. Epic AF!!

Imagine if Nadal could still move like that now

They were so much better back then, unbelievable stuff! Fecking flying around the court!

 

[Kralingen]

A far more interesting question would be the best combined level in a Non-Big 3 match of the Big 3 era i.e. since 2005 or so.

Aside from the USO 2020 final which would top the list?

 

[MichaelNadal]

They were so much better back then, unbelievable stuff! Fecking flying around the court!

I still don't understand how he got that last FH in. He was open stanced and off balance, and that IO FH from Federer was nuts.

 

[Blahovic]

And just like the commies, I think the entire world made the same noise when he hit it lol "aoughhh!!!" And Nadal got to it and did a signature 360 spin slice. Epic AF!!

Imagine if Nadal could still move like that now

AO 2009 is a ridiculous highlight reel of a match. I'd say best slam highlight reels off the top of my head are something like Nadal-Verdasco AO 2009, Fed-Nadal AO 2009, Djokovic-Wawrinka AO 2013, Djokovic-Nadal Wimbledon 2018, Djokovic-Nadal RG 2021.

 

[MichaelNadal]

AO 2009 is a ridiculous highlight reel of a match. I'd say best slam highlight reels off the top of my head are something like Nadal-Verdasco AO 2009, Fed-Nadal AO 2009, Djokovic-Wawrinka AO 2013, Djokovic-Nadal Wimbledon 2018, Djokovic-Nadal RG 2021.

Your list was literally perfect till you got to the end lol. Huge dropoff in quality from the rest.

 

[Chanwan]

A far more interesting question would be the best combined level in a Non-Big 3 match of the Big 3 era i.e. since 2005 or so.

Aside from the USO 2020 final which would top the list?

If you like a OHB-contest, this one is up there

 

[Blahovic]

A far more interesting question would be the best combined level in a Non-Big 3 match of the Big 3 era i.e. since 2005 or so.

Aside from the USO 2020 final which would top the list?

This is the perfect opportunity to bring up this forgotten classic.

 

[Blahovic]

Your list was literally perfect till you got to the end lol. Huge dropoff in quality from the rest.

Only Nadal fans say this, everyone else understands that it was an amazing match with ludicrous rallies and winners. That's why the entire tennis community was dumbstruck for the majority of the match until Nadal faded at the end.

 

[onefineday]

Sampras Becker Stuttgart 1996. I think it was 96.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Only Nadal fans say this, everyone else understands that it was an amazing match with ludicrous rallies and winners. That's why the entire tennis community was dumbstruck for the majority of the match until Nadal faded at the end.

It had one great set it doesn't belong in the same sentence with Wimby 18 lol

 

[sliceroni]

I second for the Becker/Sampras wtf in 96.

 

[The_Order]

No need to be a meanie bestie
Im having fun with you lol. In all honesty it's an extremely crispy match. Thankfully Safin GOATED or Fed would be on 21

Wow ultra burn lol

 

[MichaelNadal]

Wow ultra burn lol

Yet another match Federer could have won with MP's. Dude could be on like 80 slams lol

 

[TheNachoMan]

Yet another match Federer could have won with MP's. Dude could be on like 80 slams lol

Some players actually picked Fed to save their life. Are they okay? Do they not wish to live anymore? lol

 

[Chanwan]

Yet another match Federer could have won with MP's. Dude could be on like 80 slams lol

Fed's the greatest at losing a match from MP up, no two ways about it.

 

[The_Order]

Yet another match Federer could have won with MP's. Dude could be on like 80 slams lol

He probably would if it wasn't for Nadal...

 

[RS]

No need to be a meanie bestie
Im having fun with you lol. In all honesty it's an extremely crispy match. Thankfully Safin GOATED or Fed would be on 21

Safin AO 05 vs Nadal AO 09?

 

[The_Order]

Safin AO 05 vs Nadal AO 09?

Nadal all the way...

Really though, he'd have his work cut out but I just think his game would put Safin off his a bit more than what Fed could...

 

[MichaelNadal]

Has Nadal ever lost a match in a slam that he had MP's in?

Safin AO 05 vs Nadal AO 09?

Rafa 09, Verdasco hit 90 something winners and still lost, and Fed was as crispy as Zaxby's chicken tenders and also lost lol

 

[Deleted member 765728]

Way to biased for recent matches. Borg - Gerulaitis Wimbledon 1977 and Agassi - Rafter Wimbledon 2000 should definitely be on the list. Of course also the Agassi-Sampras quarter in 2001 USO and the Becker-Sampras YEC96.

Watched the whole match few days ago for the first time, and I have to say that Wimbledon 1980 is overrated compared to this one. The level of either player never really dropped, Vitas with a great S&V performance, Borg chasing down volleys like a speed demon and hitting passing shots (which was very difficult back in the day against a competent S&V player) from tough positions. And Gerulaitis actually pushed Borg more than McEnroe did in 1980 (which could've been easily done in 4 sets had Borg avoided his own 40-15 moment).

 

[abmk]

Safin AO 05 vs Nadal AO 09?

Safin AO 05
Fed AO 05 would also edge out Nadal of AO 09
Fed of AO 09 was a step down from the AO 05 semi (in major part, but not only due to serving)

 

[RyanJax]

It is definitely not W 2008, surprised that's winning. I don't think some are thinking thru the implications of that being the highest level match ever? So what, Nadal on grass is the highest grass level ever? Lol. And I like Rafa and think even peak for peak he can trouble the other 2 on their best surface the way they never could him (plus the matchup edge w Fed) but to say that was the highest level match ever has ridiculous implications.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Watched the whole match few days ago for the first time, and I have to say that Wimbledon 1980 is overrated compared to this one. The level of either player never really dropped, Vitas with a great S&V performance, Borg chasing down volleys like a speed demon and hitting passing shots (which was very difficult back in the day against a competent S&V player) from tough positions. And Gerulaitis actually pushed Borg more than McEnroe did in 1980 (which could've been easily done in 4 sets had Borg avoided his own 40-15 moment).

Borg had 37 passing shots in the whole match, off the top of my head he only had more in his USO final 1980 against Mac. Vitas had 74 winners apart from serve, not sure whether this is a record but at least I have never watched a match or seen match stats where someone had more.

 

[The_Order]

It is definitely not W 2008, surprised that's winning. I don't think some are thinking thru the implications of that being the highest level match ever? So what, Nadal on grass is the highest grass level ever? Lol. And I like Rafa and think even peak for peak he can trouble the other 2 on their best surface the way they never could him (plus the matchup edge w Fed) but to say that was the highest level match ever has ridiculous implications.

Perhaps people are also considering the history, drama, what was on the line etc...

To produce what they did under that level of pressure... not sure many other players could

 

[RS]

Safin AO 05
Fed AO 05 would also edge out Nadal of AO 09
Fed of AO 09 was a step down from the AO 05 semi (in major part, but not only due to serving)

Does edge mean 5 sets?

1. Federer AO 07 SF vs Safin AO 05 SF
2. Baggy AO 06 SF vs Murray AO 13 SF
3. Murray Wim 16 final vs Nadal Wim 18 SF

 

[RS]

Has Nadal ever lost a match in a slam that he had MP's in?



Rafa 09, Verdasco hit 90 something winners and still lost, and Fed was as crispy as Zaxby's chicken tenders and also lost lol

What would you rate both matches out of 10 from the winner?

 

[RyanJax]

Perhaps people are also considering the history, drama, what was on the line etc...

To produce what they did under that level of pressure... not sure many other players could

I think that is indeed the reason, but I wouldn't call that highest level.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

If we go by event:

AO: Safin-Fed AO 05 semi
RG: Bruguera Courier RG 93 final
Wim: Fed-Nadal Wim 07 final
USO: Mcenroe-Connors USO 84 semi
YEC: Sampras-Becker YEC 96 final

I can agree with AO, RG and YEC. Regarding USO, how would you rate Agassi’s and Pete’s famous quarterfinal and at Wimbledon, what is your take on Vitas-Borg and Rafter-Agassi 2000?

 

[The_Order]

I think that is indeed the reason, but I wouldn't call that highest level.

Yeah everyone is going to interpret it their own way

 

[abmk]

I can agree with AO, RG and YEC. Regarding USO, how would you rate Agassi’s and Pete’s famous quarterfinal and at Wimbledon, what is your take on Vitas-Borg and Rafter-Agassi 2000?

Probably put Sampras-Agassi USO 01 as 2nd at USO.

At Wimbledon, Wim 77 SF and Wim 00 SF are probably up there in top 5 along with Wim 80 final , Wim 08 final and Wim 07 final. Definitely in top 7 atleast I'd say.

 

[RyanJax]

Probably put Sampras-Agassi USO 01 as 2nd at USO.

At Wimbledon, Wim 77 SF and Wim 00 SF are probably up there in top 5 along with Wim 80 final , Wim 08 final and Wim 07 final. Definitely in top 7 atleast I'd say.

Nothing in 77 was at the highest level lol

 

[RS]

Nadal all the way...

Really though, he'd have his work cut out but I just think his game would put Safin off his a bit more than what Fed could...

Federer AO 04 final vs Djokovic AO 12 final?

 

[abmk]

Nothing in 77 was at the highest level lol

movement from both for starters.
Borg's passing shots for another.

 

[The_Order]

Federer AO 04 final vs Djokovic AO 12 final?

Djokovic for sure.

 

[Deleted member 748597]

Safin AO 05 vs Nadal AO 09?

I made the similar thread once and it seemed even.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Wimbledon 08 has become UNDERRATED here.

 

[RS]

I made the similar thread once and it seemed even.

I remember it.

 

[RyanJax]

Wimbledon 08 has become UNDERRATED here.

AO 12 is better

 

[abmk]

AO 2009 is a ridiculous highlight reel of a match. I'd say best slam highlight reels off the top of my head are something like Nadal-Verdasco AO 2009, Fed-Nadal AO 2009, Djokovic-Wawrinka AO 2013, Djokovic-Nadal Wimbledon 2018, Djokovic-Nadal RG 2021.

 

[MichaelNadal]

AO 12 is better

 

[abmk]

Does edge mean 5 sets?

1. Federer AO 07 SF vs Safin AO 05 SF
2. Baggy AO 06 SF vs Murray AO 13 SF
3. Murray Wim 16 final vs Nadal Wim 18 SF

most likely yeah. A tight 4-setter ala RG 2011 semi isn't out of the realms of possibility either.

1. Fed edges this one out
2. Murray edges this one out
3. Gotta give slight edge to Nadal here based on their 10/11 Wim encounters. But Murray Wim 16 final would probably get more serves of Nadal back than Djoko did in Wim 18 SF.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Wimbledon 08 has become UNDERRATED here.

Nah, it’s been overrated for so long. It‘s a hollywood match wirh great drama but it doesn’t even make my top 10 favorite matches ever.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nah, it’s been overrated for so long. It‘s a hollywood match wirh great drama but it doesn’t even make my top 10 favorite matches ever.

This is literally what everyone says about it now, hence my point.

 

[RS]

Djokovic for sure.

Federer Wim 07 final vs Nadal Wim 08 final?

 

[TheNachoMan]

This is literally what everyone says about it now, hence my point.

Biases aside, do you think it’s better than the Wimbledon 2007 match? I see the Wimbledon 2007 match as like the iron match match between HBK and Bret, whereas 08 is the screwjob. More historically important and well remembered but not as good.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Biases aside, do you think it’s better than the Wimbledon 2007 match? I see the Wimbledon 2007 match as like the iron match match between HBK and Bret, whereas 08 is the screwjob. More historically important and well remembered but not as good.

Yes, there's a reason everyone called it the GOAT match after it happened and it literally has a documentary lol