Worst Grand Slam Finals in history???

[Fiero425]

Indeed!
It was the worst Grand Slam final that Nadal has played alongside his 2014 performance against Wawrinka.

Well it's all relative! IMO, just because a score is out of whack doesn't mean it wasn't a good match where one opponent was "in the zone" and didn't allow a contest! I love that match; nothing like a good arse-kickin' when both are playing well, but one has the golden touch! People can't say Rafa wasn't playing well since I distinctly remember announcers making a big deal out of how he held serve for over 60 times in a row! I hope people remember that!

 

[Pheasant]

I loved that match! I can't remember McEnroe being the underdog even though he rolled around on the grass at Wimbledon like a drugged out dog while being upset by Curren a couple months before! McEnroe started out hot in the final and was up a break before it turned around! John was up 5-2, then serving for 1st set at 5-3 before being broken, then dropping a TB! McEnroe was then systematically run off the court by Ivan in straight sets! The women's final was the exact opposite with drama galore; Mandlikova over Navratilova in 3 sets (2 TBs)!

You are right. McEnroe was still the favorite. But as a fan, I was very worried. Lendl had clearly upped his game with his new diet. At the end of 1984, Lendl complained that he was running out of steam late in matches. So he went to the doctor and had his blood drawn. His cholesterol was through the roof; above 300 if I remember correctly. He went on a diet and that fixed his endurance problems by a long shot He became much more fit and a much better player.

I felt that McEnroe had much more talent. But I felt that Lendl eventually eclipsed Mac, unfortunately. I like dMac's game so much more and I hated Lendl then. I despited Lendl. But now, I like Lendl. It took 20 years after he retired to finally warm up to Lendl.

Here's an interseting stat about Lendl in 5-setters. Prior to his diet, he was 9-9 in 5 setters(until 1985). After that, we went 23-11.

A similar deal is going on now. I like Federer a lot. But I feel like Djoker is going to pass him up. Djoker also fixed his diet(2011). This feels like deja vu all over again. However, I don't hate Djoker. And in 20 years, I'll look back and appreciate him a lot; kind of like I do with Lendl these days.

 

[fed1]

Serena's been an inexplicable mess and disgrace in Slam finals the last couple years! She needs a favorite pigeon to be waiting for her; VENUS or Aza!

What?? This match was absolutely fantastic to watch!! Can’t wait for the US Open this year.

 

[Fiero425]

You are right. McEnroe was still the favorite. But as a fan, I was very worried. Lendl had clearly upped his game with his new diet. At the end of 1984, Lendl complained that he was running out of steam late in matches. So he went to the doctor and had his blood drawn. His cholesterol was through the roof; above 300 if I remember correctly. He went on a diet and that fixed his endurance problems by a long shot He became much more fit and a much better player.

I felt that McEnroe had much more talent. But I felt that Lendl eventually eclipsed Mac, unfortunately. I like dMac's game so much more and I hated Lendl then. I despited Lendl. But now, I like Lendl. It took 20 years after he retired to finally warm up to Lendl.

Here's an interseting stat about Lendl in 5-setters. Prior to his diet, he was 9-9 in 5 setters(until 1985). After that, we went 23-11.

A similar deal is going on now. I like Federer a lot. But I feel like Djoker is going to pass him up. Djoker also fixed his diet(2011). This feels like deja vu all over again. However, I don't hate Djoker. And in 20 years, I'll look back and appreciate him a lot; kind of like I do with Lendl these days.

I was going to say, Lendl's ascension then is very reminiscent of Nole now! Ivan was a perennial #3 behind the likes of McEnroe, Connors, and even Borg before '81 retirement! He lost one of those 5 set final to Borg in Paris IIRC! I'll send you my blog on Djokovic! I'm a fan of Nole for the very reason Lendl was deemed some kind of "Prince of Darkness" and never got any love from fans!

 

[Fiero425]

What?? This match was absolutely fantastic to watch!! Can’t wait for the US Open this year.

Speaking more of her overall results of late and how shockingly easy some of her defeats were; esp. against Halep on grass at Wimbledon! I didn't think she'd be able to hit the ball hard enough to make a dent in Serena's defenses! I can't remember it much, but it was a quick 2 setter! I haven't been much into women's tennis since the retirements of Hingis and Henin!

 

[the tennis oracle]

The '96 Wimbledon final between Krajicek and Mal Washington immediately comes to mind as the worst. '03 RG with JCF and Verkerk and '03 AO with Agassi and Schuttler were also pretty lousy.

 

[Cashman]

1990 Australian Open final.

Edberg had been the dominant player all tournament and came into the final a huge favourite. He won the first set easily, but Lendl fought back to break early in the second. Edberg broke back and it was looking like we might have a match, but at 2-3 on serve he tore a stomach muscle. He hobbled on to lose the second set in a tiebreaker, but retired early in the third.

Biggest damp squib I have ever seen in a final.

 

[Fedinkum]

I remember it was a big expectations in former USSR because of her final. And then so big fiasco.

Found the poster!! I don't think my little teenage brain was wrong back then...ahahahahahahaaa

 

[BorgCash]

Found the poster!! I don't think my little teenage brain was wrong back then...ahahahahahahaaa

It's a rare one.