WTA matchups you would like to see with both players in their primes

[davey25]

How do you feel some of these hypothetical WTA matchups would have been like in the players mutual primes. Here are some I would find interesting:

Seles vs Connolly- I think this one would be great since Connolly played like an earlier day Seles style wise. On grass I think Mo would romp but on other surfaces their matches would be good. Connolly 10-0 grass, Connolly 7-3 hard courts, Connolly 6-4 carpet, 5-5 tie on clay.

King vs Navratilova- this matchup would be interesting as King was a handful for Martina even well into her 30s when Martina was entering her prime. They have similar playing styles, Martina game wise and physically is clearly stronger, but King's mental toughness and amazing court craft balance out much of the difference. Would be a fascinating duel. Navratilova 7-3 clay, 7-3 hard courts, Navratilova 6-4 grass, Navratilova 6-4 carpet

Evert vs Court- Their duels in 1973 when neither player was quite in their primes are a good indication of what we might have gotten for years had the players been matched up together. Court's all court power game, big serve, and athleticsm vs Evert's impeccible ground game, peerless consistency, smarts, and mental toughness. Evert 7-3 clay, Evert 6-4 hard courts, Court 6-4 grass, Court 7-3 carpet

Lenglen vs Wills Moody- The rivalry that never was. And again somewhat contrasting styles. The graceful all court master Lenglen vs the overpowering yet amazingly consistent ground game of Wills Moody. Lenglen 7-3 grass, Lenglen 7-3 clay, Wills Moody 6-4 hard courts, 5-5 tie on carpet

Serena vs Navratilova- Navratilova says she would have loved to have played Serena in her prime but admits it would have been a bit scary too. I too would have loved to have seen it. Navratilova 7-3 clay, Navratilova 6-4 carpet, 5-5 tie on grass, Serena 7-3 on hard courts

Graf vs Evert- Many of their late 80s matches indicate what a duel this might have been vs a younger Evert. Would have been some of the best baseline duels ever, with most matches probably going 3 sets regardless of the winner. Graf 8-2 grass, Graf 7-3 carpet, 5-5 tie on hard courts, 6-4 Evert on clay

Graf vs Henin- what a beatdown. I would like this matchup only since against the WTA GOAT Henin would be exposed as the overrated fraud she is who has nearly all her achievements on clay vs a joke clay court field. Graf 10-0 hard courts, 10-0 clay, 10-0 grass, 10-0 carpet.

 

[pc1]

Fantasy matchups

Navratilova against Wills
Contrast of styles. Wills was taller than Navratilova at 5'9" with a big serve and great groundies.

Wills against Lenglen-Ah, the rivalry that never was.

Lenglen against Serena Williams-Lenglen was a baseline machine plus a superb volleyer. She was able to team with men and defeat some top male doubles teams so we know she can handle power. But can she handle Serena's power and speed?

Court against Navratilova

Court against Serena Williams

Seles against Sharapova-I'd be amused at the grunting. Plus the match would be pretty good too. lol.

Bobby Riggs against Serena Williams-Opps. Sorry Riggs is man. Riggs wins on every surface without Serena winning a match. Serena probably wouldn't win a game.

Connolly against Evert-Interesting baseline duels.

Alice Marble against Martina Navratilova-From what I have read, Alice Marble's serve may be as good as any. She was able to throw a baseball (similar to a tennis serving motion) from center field into the stands behind home plate. Most male baseball players would have a problem doing that.

Marble was a great serve and volleyer with a tremendous kick serve. She went undefeated in several years.

Evonne Goolagong against Suzanne Lenglen-Goolagong is the smoothest mover I've seen in women's tennis and it would be wonderful to see them move.

Connolly against Court

Henin against Evert on red clay at the French Open.

Graf against Serena Williams at Wimbledon or the US Open

Graf against Court on any surface but preferably hard court or grass

And the best female player is Bobby Riggs in his prime. Oops, I keep forgetting that he doesn't count.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

How do you feel some of these hypothetical WTA matchups would have been like in the players mutual primes. Here are some I would find interesting:

Seles vs Connolly- I think this one would be great since Connolly played like an earlier day Seles style wise. On grass I think Mo would romp but on other surfaces their matches would be good. Connolly 10-0 grass, Connolly 7-3 hard courts, Connolly 6-4 carpet, 5-5 tie on clay.

Not that Seles was a conditioning model for the WTA, but I think she woul manage to outlast Connolly simply by endurane, if not actual ability.

King vs Navratilova- this matchup would be interesting as King was a handful for Martina even well into her 30s when Martina was entering her prime. They have similar playing styles, Martina game wise and physically is clearly stronger, but King's mental toughness and amazing court craft balance out much of the difference. Would be a fascinating duel. Navratilova 7-3 clay, 7-3 hard courts, Navratilova 6-4 grass, Navratilova 6-4 carpet

This would be one of the most fascinating battles, as both were so aggressive and gifted with court insight, that each outhinking the other would be a joy to watch.

Serena vs Navratilova- Navratilova says she would have loved to have played Serena in her prime but admits it would have been a bit scary too. I too would have loved to have seen it. Navratilova 7-3 clay, Navratilova 6-4 carpet, 5-5 tie on grass, Serena 7-3 on hard courts

I agree with most of this assessment, however, Serena's power and ability to adapt to an opponent's game would prove difficult to deal with.

Graf vs Venus would be one to put viewers on the edge of their seats; the speed, athletic dominance and shotmaking--especially on grass--would lead to a pretty fierce battle. I see numerous three-set thrillers, never a blowout from either player.

Graf vs Henin- what a beatdown. I would like this matchup only since against the WTA GOAT Henin would be exposed as the overrated fraud she is who has nearly all her achievements on clay vs a joke clay court field. Graf 10-0 hard courts, 10-0 clay, 10-0 grass, 10-0 carpet.

Agreed, though Henin--at best--could keep Graf off of her (occasionally) with backhand cross-court shots; then she would be able to place Graf on the defensive so Henin could come in to finish any Graf response at net...but...considering Henin's underwhelming skills at net, she may end up the victim of endless passing shots.

 

[davey25]

Not that Seles was a conditioning model for the WTA, but I think she woul manage to outlast Connolly simply by endurane, if not actual ability.

You could well be right here. Little Mo was a quite small women for modern day standards, and not very strong physically unlike Laver whose strength went against his height. She produced such astonishing power and precision on virtually faultless technique. So today she might struggle just based on her lack of physicality. Still her playing style is similar to Seles but amazingly she was considered even better at it (playing in the 50s with a wood racquet) and mentally she was as tough as any women to come later. Still in the end her lack of size and strength would probably be her undoing in the modern game.

This would be one of the most fascinating battles, as both were so aggressive and gifted with court insight, that each outhinking the other would be a joy to watch.

Yeah King and Navratilova would have been such a treat to watch. All court tennis, using the whole court, and constantly trying to devise ways to get the upper hand on the other. Almost like a chess match, but purposeful and bold attacking at the same time.

I agree with most of this assessment, however, Serena's power and ability to adapt to an opponent's game would prove difficult to deal with.

Yes this is true. Navratilova while past her prime to some degree, did struggle quite a bit with the power of Graf and Seles. Serena in terms of overall power is even another level up from those two as she had power from everywhere and every shot. Navratilova admited herself that at her peak she found the great Evert a relatively easy opponent for awhile since her game just wasnt forceful enough. She stated she found Mandlikova, a much less accomplished player than Evert, but one whose power and shotmaking ability were significant for the era, a tougher opponent for her at that point. So obviously new age power coming at her is something she would find the biggest challenge to her attacking game. And as you said Serena is excellent at adapting her game to various opponents.

Graf vs Venus would be one to put viewers on the edge of their seats; the speed, athletic dominance and shotmaking--especially on grass--would lead to a pretty fierce battle. I see numerous three-set thrillers, never a blowout from either player.

I agree. I think their match at Wimbledon 1999 is the kind of insight to what many of their matches with a more mature and experienced Venus and younger Graf might look like. Both tall and lean, insanely fast- maybe the 2 fastest players ever, both with tremendous flexability, agility, reach, both great shotmakers who went for alot of winners.

Agreed, though Henin--at best--could keep Graf off of her (occasionally) with backhand cross-court shots; then she would be able to place Graf on the defensive so Henin could come in to finish any Graf response at net...but...considering Henin's underwhelming skills at net, she may end up the victim of endless passing shots.

Henin had the skills to give Graf some problems in their matches, especialy on clay. Ultimately though even in a close match, say midway or beyond in a 3rd set, she would wilt mentally and physically towards the end like she typically does vs tough opposition. Thus her only chances to win would be to win rather easily, which she isnt good enough to do. Her head to heads with the Williams would be close to a goose egg for Henin to if she didnt have the good fortune to have her very best surface also be the mutual by far worst of the Williams. She has only 1 combined win over them non clay surfaces in I think 13 meetings now.

And like you said her less than stellar net skills would be exposed by someone as speedy and strong on defense as Steffi even when she was able to put Graf on the defensive. Her lack of the extra half gear of kill power would make finishing the points from the baseline point after point difficult too.

 

[CEvertFan]

All good picks but I'd also add:

Gibson vs Navratilova - Two extremely athletic S/V players facing off...

Austin vs Connolly, Wills, Court, Lenglen, Graf, Seles - Austin is far too underrated and would have gone on to a superb career if not for injuries.

Graf vs Lenglen

Goolagong vs Bueno - Two of the most graceful movers ever in the women's game - the tennis would be beautiful to watch.

Betz vs Evert

Evert vs Lenglen - Ted Tinling, who personally knew every ladies champion from Lenglen to Graf, said Lenglen played tennis like a chessmaster (he not only knew her personally but was a ball boy for quite a few of her matches) and that he had never seen anyone play so much like Lenglen as Evert did. Would be fascinating to watch for sure.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Seles vs. Serena! On their best day, these two have played the highest level of womens' tennis ever.

 

[halalula1234]

venus when she was in her hungry diva queen fierce cocky era! she was like a cheetah with bullet shots and she was so explosive everywhere. I would love to see this venus vs anyone!

 

[Limpinhitter]

Oops! Duplicate!

 

[Grass_for_cows]

Hingis vs. Navratilova. Martina vs Martina, and Hingis would fire things up with some sassy comments about Navratilova's sexual orientation.

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

Austin vs Connolly, Wills, Court, Lenglen, Graf, Seles - Austin is far too underrated and would have gone on to a superb career if not for injuries.

Honestly I think Austin is overrated by some people. I realize how good she was for a young player. However she only won 2 slams and couldnt end a year #1 at her peak even with Evert and Navratilova going through problems with their games and form. The main things though are it seems her game peaked out very young and she also was a hard court specialist. Her abilities on grass or clay are not really proven at all. And she really didnt improve much at 16 or 17 even before her career ended with injuries. By 1982 she was being completely owned by a surging Navratilova, a still evolving Evert, and a rising Mandlikova. Her lack of improvement was catching up to her already at 18 and 19.

I have seen footage of her 1981 US Open final win over Navratilova. It didnt impress me much at all. Her serve was terrible, worse than Evert's serve. She hardly ever came to net and when she did her volleying technique looked shaky. She wasnt that overpowering even off the ground overall, though very consistent and precise. And when Martina was on her game early in the match she mauled Austin. Austin basically won that match since Martina's game and mind for some reason unraveled as the match went and since Martina missed about 50 easy forehand volleys that day. Even with Martina playing awful in the last 2 sets Austin barely eked out the win. If that is Tracy's best then I dont forsee a huge slam haul in her future even if she werent forced to retire at 21 with injuries.

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

And Austin's serve would have been eaten for breakfast by the huge hitters in future years like Graf, Serena, or Seles. Her serve was so weak even for the standards and equipment of the time I am quite sure it would be a poor serve even playing today. She was just lucky Navratilova didnt have a huge return of serve, and Evert wasnt a first strike player by nature. She didnt even try and do anything with her serve, just a little puffball put in play to start points. Atleast Evert tried to put some pace and placement on her 1st serve.

 

[kiki]

Lengle vs Connolly
Court vs Navratilova
King vs Wills
Alvarez vsd Bueno
Marble vs Navratilova
Evert vs Williams
Cawley vs Bueno
Hingis vs Mandlikova


or any combination of the latter 4

 

[Verbal Volley]

How do you feel some of these hypothetical WTA matchups would have been like in the players mutual primes. Here are some I would find interesting:

Seles vs Connolly- I think this one would be great since Connolly played like an earlier day Seles style wise. On grass I think Mo would romp but on other surfaces their matches would be good. Connolly 10-0 grass, Connolly 7-3 hard courts, Connolly 6-4 carpet, 5-5 tie on clay.

King vs Navratilova- this matchup would be interesting as King was a handful for Martina even well into her 30s when Martina was entering her prime. They have similar playing styles, Martina game wise and physically is clearly stronger, but King's mental toughness and amazing court craft balance out much of the difference. Would be a fascinating duel. Navratilova 7-3 clay, 7-3 hard courts, Navratilova 6-4 grass, Navratilova 6-4 carpet

Evert vs Court- Their duels in 1973 when neither player was quite in their primes are a good indication of what we might have gotten for years had the players been matched up together. Court's all court power game, big serve, and athleticsm vs Evert's impeccible ground game, peerless consistency, smarts, and mental toughness. Evert 7-3 clay, Evert 6-4 hard courts, Court 6-4 grass, Court 7-3 carpet

Lenglen vs Wills Moody- The rivalry that never was. And again somewhat contrasting styles. The graceful all court master Lenglen vs the overpowering yet amazingly consistent ground game of Wills Moody. Lenglen 7-3 grass, Lenglen 7-3 clay, Wills Moody 6-4 hard courts, 5-5 tie on carpet

Serena vs Navratilova- Navratilova says she would have loved to have played Serena in her prime but admits it would have been a bit scary too. I too would have loved to have seen it. Navratilova 7-3 clay, Navratilova 6-4 carpet, 5-5 tie on grass, Serena 7-3 on hard courts

Graf vs Evert- Many of their late 80s matches indicate what a duel this might have been vs a younger Evert. Would have been some of the best baseline duels ever, with most matches probably going 3 sets regardless of the winner. Graf 8-2 grass, Graf 7-3 carpet, 5-5 tie on hard courts, 6-4 Evert on clay

Graf vs Henin- what a beatdown. I would like this matchup only since against the WTA GOAT Henin would be exposed as the overrated fraud she is who has nearly all her achievements on clay vs a joke clay court field. Graf 10-0 hard courts, 10-0 clay, 10-0 grass, 10-0 carpet.

I love how you pulled predictions about head to head matches on different surfaces out of a hat. I disagree with most of them, and I have been following tennis for 51 years, but respect your opinions, because you seem to have the same passion for tennis history that I do. My all time match ups would be: Connolly v. Evert, Lenglen v. Navratilova, King v. Wills, Goolagong v Bueno (battle of the ballerinas). Too many more to list. Steffi was once interviewed and said that the two players she would most have liked to have played from the past were Billie Jean and Evonne Goolagong.