Re: Raja, take notice: Pat Cash's TOP 10 clay court players
- From: pedrodias@xxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 18:00:50 -0700 (PDT)
On May 26, 5:46 pm, zepflo...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On May 26, 4:18 pm, TJT <the...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Listing the top ten of anything is a risky business and people will
always disagree with what you say. I’ve opted to concentrate on players
I have confronted in a match, across the net on a practice court or had
the pleasure of commentating on for television and radio. Many will also
question the absence of Roger Federer in a clay court top ten; as soon
as he does win that elusive French Open title he will go straight into
the list, quite possibly as high as No 3 or 4, but until then this is a
list exclusive to the male champions of Roland Garros.
1. Rafael Nadal
(French Open champion 2005, 06, 07)
With his 22nd birthday eight days away he is already to finest player
ever to compete on a clay court. He has it all; strength, speed, the
ability to unleash an attacking winner from the depths of defence with
amazing racket control and power. But he unquestionably benefits from
the modern improvements in racket technology.
2. Bjorn Borg
(French Open champion 1974, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81)
Arguably the most influential player ever to pick up a tennis racket who
broke down barriers in beliefs on the way the game should be played. On
clay he was regarded as unbeatable because of his great mental strength
and tremendous stamina. He was never tired, never flustered.
3. Guillermo Vilas
(French Open champion 1977, runner-up 1975, 78, 82)
Nowadays there are legions of Latin baseliners who play in a certain
fashion but this powerhouse was the template. He was so strong and his
winning streak of 53 matches on clay would certainly have extended
longer has Nastase not confronted him with a double strung racket that
was soon banned.
4. Mats Wilander
(French Open 1982, 85, 88. Runner up 1983, 87)
Somebody I first confronted as a junior and respected from the first day
we met. People wrongly view him as Borg Mark II but he was a great
champion in his own right, claiming his first French title at the age of
17 a year after winning the junior title. He was cool under pressure but
lightening quick around the court.
5. Sergi Bruguera
(French Open champion 1993, 94. Runner up 97)
The first of the modern style of Spaniards who was so unbelievably fit
he would go on long cycle rides with Tour de France winner Miguel
Indurian and not show any fatigue. Top spin was always thought to be his
main weapon and his forehand could be awesome while the power of his
serve was hugely underrated.
6. Ivan Lendl
(French Open champion 1984, 86, 87. Runner up 1981, 85)
I would never say I liked him as a person but I respect him hugely as a
player. People now think of him as a power player who just outmuscled
his opponents and overcame them by hitting the ball with incredible
force. However he could impart great spin and use slice to his advantage..
7. Gustavo Kuerten
(French Open champion 1997, 2000, 01)
What a beautiful player whose style was free flowing and classical until
his hips sadly gave out. His forehand was a forceful weapon on the clay
and he could summon up great winners from any area of the court. Yet his
single-handed backhand was also so effective and his serve was a good
deal stronger than run-of-the-mill clay courters.
8. Thomas Muster
(French Open champion 1995)
Relentless is the only word to describe this competitor who delighted in
grinding his opponents down. He took his own fitness to scary levels and
loved nothing better than a hard-fought five setter. As a left-hander he
could conjure up seemingly impossible angles that whipped up because of
top spin.
9. Jim Courier
(French Open champion 1991, 92. Runner up 1993)
Americans have never really been revered as clay court experts and
watching him win those two titles was never a pretty experience. It’s
true to say he bludgeoned most of his opponents into defeat with big
serves and huge forehands but he was a player who should be admired for
his fitness and work ethic.
10. Andre Agassi
(French Open champion 1999, Runner up 1990, 91)
Another player who did not really have a game for clay but somebody who
took his hard court style and modified it sufficiently to become a
champion. Some would say he benefited from the faster conditions on clay
in his era but he was undeniably a master in the art of turning a
defensive situation into winning the point with just one shot.
I must say I disagree with him. I wouldnt have Agassi on the list. won
it once under dubious circumstances. And Vilas won his FO when Borg
didnt play. It is ridiculous to put him at #2. He got spanked by Borg
everytime on clay. Even a 20 year old young Lendl gave Borg fits.
Vilas couldnt.
My top 10 would be
sticking with open era only
1. Borg
2. Lendl
3. Wilander
4. Nadal (if he wins the 4th one, he moves to #2)
5. Kuerten
6. Bruguera
7. Muster
8. Courier
9. Rosewall
10. Nastase
And how *is* the crack over in Dallas?
I'm a huge Nasti fan, and even I can't understand how you figure him
for number ten.
Vilas had a Borg issue, yes, but he was an amazing clay player
nonetheless. Being young doesn't excuse you from doing your homework:
look up his career.
.
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