Bruguera did not win the French Open based on fitness. I bet you anything, I have the tapes to prove it.
He obliterated Leconte at the French only one year after Leconte made the semis, and Leconte did NOT tank this match. He, in fact, came out fired up and playing very close to his best. By the end, however, Bruguera was passing him at will, and Leconte actually looked embarrassed in the end...lost 6-0 in the third, this after having lost the second 6-1. Lest you think this was a fluke, he played Leconte INDOORS in Paris in one of Leconte's most spirited matches in years and STILL beat him. Leconte honestly played VERY close to his best in this match, the crowd support was ridiculous, he gave as much as he possibly could; and by the third rolled around, Bruguera still outclassed him. It was not at all with power topspin either. Almost the entire match, Bruguera came up with unbelievable passing shots and FINESSE topspin passes. Leconte TWICE stopped to applaud Bruguera's shots in this match. The angles on the pass he created were not by lack of skill as you want to believe.
It amazes me that people still buy into the stereotype that Bruguera was not talented, just FIT, and that topspin is not a talent. Has anyone ever TRIED to hit with Bruguera's technique? If you have, tell me just how easy it is. Let's see you time that wrist snap.
The fact is that Bruguera was not anywhere near as untalented as so many want to stereotype. This is a guy who actually *serve and volleyed* his way to a victory over Rafter at Wimbledon in only his first appearance on grass. In fact, the British court side reporter said that he had no idea he could volley like that, that he was "shocked," that it "wasn't just easy volleys either," that it was the "touch" as well, that it was almost "Edberg like." I'm not making this up. Even McEnroe said that Bruguera's a "good volleyer," and that he "always loves that drop volley." This is a guy who briefly coached Bruguera. If he had no talent, if all he had was fitness, do you think he would have worked with him? Bruguera actually had very good hands. Have a tape of his demolition of Medvedev from the 93 French Open semis? I do. He time and time again out cat and moused Medevedev around the net in this match with extreme angled slice.
Bruguera's problem was NOT a lack of talent. His problem was that he was like Rios always battling some form of injury. He also was NOT that mentally tough, contrary to the stereotype. He was "always a half-assed player...sometimes motivated, sometimes not" according to a European media tennis "expert" I've spoken with. Or as Patrick McEnroe said about Bruguera, he's either a tremendous competitor, or he's a tanker...depends on his mood, and if he's feeling good about his game. Not exactly the sign of a truly mentally tough player like Muster or Chang, guys who give their all under ANY condition.
If Bruguera did not have talent, why was it that the first time Agassi saw him, he came running back to McEnroe to tell him "how impressed he was with this new guy Bruguera." He, in fact, was so impressed that he personally flew him to Las Vegas to spend time with him and train with him. Do you think he did that just because he's "fit." Give me a break.
Brugueara was definitely not just some fitness monster. He was never in Muster or Lendl or Chang or Courier's class in terms of fitness. He was never compared to them in work ethic nor fitness. Bruguera, in fact, regularly would get gassed. In fact, in the 94 French final, he basically tanked the third set and looked like he was "dying" to Bud Collins. What was he doing? He was conserving his energy, to save up for one concerted push. THIS was his m.o. He did it regularly, and as often looked "lethargic" for periods of matches before becoming hyper. In the fourth set, he ran away with it, and obliterted Berasategui...outrunning him, outhitting him, out placing him, out topspinning him, out angling him...that was NOT based on "fitness." It was simply that he was more talented than Berasategui. Just because he won the French, does not mean he did not have a "respectable" talent.
As for mental toughness? Um, did you not see him tanking large stretches of the match against Courier in the French final? He regularly did that in matches to conserve his energy to save up for concerted "pushes." Courier, however, did not have to do that, because he was simply MORE FIT...not to mention more mentally tough.
This is what Courier said about Bruguera's efforts at the U.S. Open this past year. He said, "Just say it...the boy tanked, the boy tanked." Even still, he easily beat Stich the year after Stich made the finals of the U.S. Open at the U.S. Open in his worst year, 96. Again, when he flashed it, he had more talent than he's given credit for, I also have this match on tape.
Bruguera's a guy who lost a total of THREE points in the first set against Medvedev at the 97 Lipton, and was up 6-0, 5-0 before letting Medeved win a few games because he was his best friend on tour. Was this based on fitness? Or do you need TALENT to go into a "zone." Was Bruguera not in the zone when he unbelievable passing shot after unbelievable passing shot in the semis against Sampras that tournament? Was Bruguera not talented when he "called [Sampras'] bluff" in the third set, when Sampras broke back and motioned with his hands to the crowd to "raise the roof?" Bruguera not only matched Sampras' attempt to raise his level in this match, he raised his level one notch up and still won the match.
If Bruguera was so "fit," then why did he absolutely CRUMBLE fitness wise in the finals against Muster on a very hot day? Or as Luke Jensen said, "poor Sergi's a beached whale." He *barely* moved for anything in the last two sets, so much for the superior fitness theory.
If Bruguera had so little talent, then how did he get VERY nearly beat Sampras 6-0 in the second set of the year ending 93 Masters? He got up 5-0, 15-30 on Sampras' serve. Sampras had two play three PERFECT points just to get ONE game in that set, this indoors when the courts actually were LIGHTNING fast compared to what they are now...now they play just like slow hard courts almost. Bruguera, in fact, continued his hot streak in the beginning of the third set and after scorching another Sampras serve at his feet. Sampras walked back to the baseline shaking his head, the actually turned around and *spontaneously* BOWED DOWN to Bruguera, causing everyone in the arena to chuckle, including Bruguera. Thing is, this act kind of broke Bruguera's zone trance state. After that, he came down one level but still played Sampras dead even. He only played a few loose point on his serve allowing Sampras to break at the the very end and serve out the match in the next game. Even then though, Bruguera played two truly BRILLIANT points. Again, if Bruguera had no talent? This match was not about "fitness." Bruguera had talent, period. How many people have been able to come so close to taking a 6-0 set from Sampras indoors in a match in which Sampras was not playing poorly? In fact, post-match Sampras did not use his level of play as an excuse. He, in fact, said Bruguera "just got on a roll."
If Bruguera had no talent how do you explain coming THIS close to taking Becker out in straight sets at the 94 year ending championship semis on Becker's home turf? Becker had to fight for his life in an EPIC game at 4-4 in the second on his serve, he had to save a ton of break point chances and play his absolute BEST tennis just to survive this game. He did, barely, and then Bruguera immediately choked the next game away giving Becker the set. After that, Bruguera lost it mentally and was never the same. But post match, Becker himself said he was "lucky" to win that set and the match. He also said he was not surprised at all that Bruguera played so well, he said he knew it was going to be a tough match because he saw how close he came to beating Agassi in the round robin. Remember, the indoor courts in 94 were NOT the same slowed down hard courts they have been since the mid to late 90s. Back then, the indoor courts gave a DECIDED edge to guys like Becker. Even still, Bruguera took nearly every single Becker serve from right on top of the baseline, he did not budge. This is a fact, and I bet you anything no one would believe me because they'd buy into the EASY stereotype. Yet, this is a fact, I have the tape to prove it.
If Bruguera was so "fit" and mentally tough, why did he *immediately* cave in the third set of this match? Um, yeah...because it's easier to perpetuate stereotypes than reality.
He obliterated Leconte at the French only one year after Leconte made the semis, and Leconte did NOT tank this match. He, in fact, came out fired up and playing very close to his best. By the end, however, Bruguera was passing him at will, and Leconte actually looked embarrassed in the end...lost 6-0 in the third, this after having lost the second 6-1. Lest you think this was a fluke, he played Leconte INDOORS in Paris in one of Leconte's most spirited matches in years and STILL beat him. Leconte honestly played VERY close to his best in this match, the crowd support was ridiculous, he gave as much as he possibly could; and by the third rolled around, Bruguera still outclassed him. It was not at all with power topspin either. Almost the entire match, Bruguera came up with unbelievable passing shots and FINESSE topspin passes. Leconte TWICE stopped to applaud Bruguera's shots in this match. The angles on the pass he created were not by lack of skill as you want to believe.
It amazes me that people still buy into the stereotype that Bruguera was not talented, just FIT, and that topspin is not a talent. Has anyone ever TRIED to hit with Bruguera's technique? If you have, tell me just how easy it is. Let's see you time that wrist snap.
The fact is that Bruguera was not anywhere near as untalented as so many want to stereotype. This is a guy who actually *serve and volleyed* his way to a victory over Rafter at Wimbledon in only his first appearance on grass. In fact, the British court side reporter said that he had no idea he could volley like that, that he was "shocked," that it "wasn't just easy volleys either," that it was the "touch" as well, that it was almost "Edberg like." I'm not making this up. Even McEnroe said that Bruguera's a "good volleyer," and that he "always loves that drop volley." This is a guy who briefly coached Bruguera. If he had no talent, if all he had was fitness, do you think he would have worked with him? Bruguera actually had very good hands. Have a tape of his demolition of Medvedev from the 93 French Open semis? I do. He time and time again out cat and moused Medevedev around the net in this match with extreme angled slice.
Bruguera's problem was NOT a lack of talent. His problem was that he was like Rios always battling some form of injury. He also was NOT that mentally tough, contrary to the stereotype. He was "always a half-assed player...sometimes motivated, sometimes not" according to a European media tennis "expert" I've spoken with. Or as Patrick McEnroe said about Bruguera, he's either a tremendous competitor, or he's a tanker...depends on his mood, and if he's feeling good about his game. Not exactly the sign of a truly mentally tough player like Muster or Chang, guys who give their all under ANY condition.
If Bruguera did not have talent, why was it that the first time Agassi saw him, he came running back to McEnroe to tell him "how impressed he was with this new guy Bruguera." He, in fact, was so impressed that he personally flew him to Las Vegas to spend time with him and train with him. Do you think he did that just because he's "fit." Give me a break.
Brugueara was definitely not just some fitness monster. He was never in Muster or Lendl or Chang or Courier's class in terms of fitness. He was never compared to them in work ethic nor fitness. Bruguera, in fact, regularly would get gassed. In fact, in the 94 French final, he basically tanked the third set and looked like he was "dying" to Bud Collins. What was he doing? He was conserving his energy, to save up for one concerted push. THIS was his m.o. He did it regularly, and as often looked "lethargic" for periods of matches before becoming hyper. In the fourth set, he ran away with it, and obliterted Berasategui...outrunning him, outhitting him, out placing him, out topspinning him, out angling him...that was NOT based on "fitness." It was simply that he was more talented than Berasategui. Just because he won the French, does not mean he did not have a "respectable" talent.
As for mental toughness? Um, did you not see him tanking large stretches of the match against Courier in the French final? He regularly did that in matches to conserve his energy to save up for concerted "pushes." Courier, however, did not have to do that, because he was simply MORE FIT...not to mention more mentally tough.
This is what Courier said about Bruguera's efforts at the U.S. Open this past year. He said, "Just say it...the boy tanked, the boy tanked." Even still, he easily beat Stich the year after Stich made the finals of the U.S. Open at the U.S. Open in his worst year, 96. Again, when he flashed it, he had more talent than he's given credit for, I also have this match on tape.
Bruguera's a guy who lost a total of THREE points in the first set against Medvedev at the 97 Lipton, and was up 6-0, 5-0 before letting Medeved win a few games because he was his best friend on tour. Was this based on fitness? Or do you need TALENT to go into a "zone." Was Bruguera not in the zone when he unbelievable passing shot after unbelievable passing shot in the semis against Sampras that tournament? Was Bruguera not talented when he "called [Sampras'] bluff" in the third set, when Sampras broke back and motioned with his hands to the crowd to "raise the roof?" Bruguera not only matched Sampras' attempt to raise his level in this match, he raised his level one notch up and still won the match.
If Bruguera was so "fit," then why did he absolutely CRUMBLE fitness wise in the finals against Muster on a very hot day? Or as Luke Jensen said, "poor Sergi's a beached whale." He *barely* moved for anything in the last two sets, so much for the superior fitness theory.
If Bruguera had so little talent, then how did he get VERY nearly beat Sampras 6-0 in the second set of the year ending 93 Masters? He got up 5-0, 15-30 on Sampras' serve. Sampras had two play three PERFECT points just to get ONE game in that set, this indoors when the courts actually were LIGHTNING fast compared to what they are now...now they play just like slow hard courts almost. Bruguera, in fact, continued his hot streak in the beginning of the third set and after scorching another Sampras serve at his feet. Sampras walked back to the baseline shaking his head, the actually turned around and *spontaneously* BOWED DOWN to Bruguera, causing everyone in the arena to chuckle, including Bruguera. Thing is, this act kind of broke Bruguera's zone trance state. After that, he came down one level but still played Sampras dead even. He only played a few loose point on his serve allowing Sampras to break at the the very end and serve out the match in the next game. Even then though, Bruguera played two truly BRILLIANT points. Again, if Bruguera had no talent? This match was not about "fitness." Bruguera had talent, period. How many people have been able to come so close to taking a 6-0 set from Sampras indoors in a match in which Sampras was not playing poorly? In fact, post-match Sampras did not use his level of play as an excuse. He, in fact, said Bruguera "just got on a roll."
If Bruguera had no talent how do you explain coming THIS close to taking Becker out in straight sets at the 94 year ending championship semis on Becker's home turf? Becker had to fight for his life in an EPIC game at 4-4 in the second on his serve, he had to save a ton of break point chances and play his absolute BEST tennis just to survive this game. He did, barely, and then Bruguera immediately choked the next game away giving Becker the set. After that, Bruguera lost it mentally and was never the same. But post match, Becker himself said he was "lucky" to win that set and the match. He also said he was not surprised at all that Bruguera played so well, he said he knew it was going to be a tough match because he saw how close he came to beating Agassi in the round robin. Remember, the indoor courts in 94 were NOT the same slowed down hard courts they have been since the mid to late 90s. Back then, the indoor courts gave a DECIDED edge to guys like Becker. Even still, Bruguera took nearly every single Becker serve from right on top of the baseline, he did not budge. This is a fact, and I bet you anything no one would believe me because they'd buy into the EASY stereotype. Yet, this is a fact, I have the tape to prove it.
If Bruguera was so "fit" and mentally tough, why did he *immediately* cave in the third set of this match? Um, yeah...because it's easier to perpetuate stereotypes than reality.
