[Blog] Open Era Generations, Part Six: Gen 4 (1949-53) - It's Jimmy's Show

[El Dude]

Here is Part Six on the Open Era Generations series.

 

[shawnbm]

I always liked watching Connors play and it reminds of how aggressive he was--it was an all out attacking game. Jimmy came to the net a lot more than I think many remember. He was moved guys around and blasted away so he could hit strong driving volleys to end points quite often. He was a warrior on court--the Nadal of his epoch.

 

[El Dude]

Jimmy is a bit under-appreciated. He had a solid five years in a row as the year-end #1 (although probably didn't deserve 1977 and 1978, with Vilas having a better year in 1977 and Borg having become the best player in the sport by 1978). By 1978 he was surpassed by Borg and then McEnroe and their "sexy" rivalry. By the time the 80s came about, Jimmy was the old man (30-something) on tour. Yet unlike a player of similar longevity, Andre Agassi, Jimmy was the best player on tour for several years, with his own reign of greatness, and was incredibly consistent. Andre had 1999 but that's about it in terms of him being the best guy on tour.

Anyhow, I think Jimmy was the best player from 1974-77, then was one of the five or so best for another ten years...a remarkable run.

 

[Kirijax]

He was good no doubt, but I couldn't stand him and his attitude on court. Connors and McEnroe were embarrassing for American tennis. He did leave behind some great records though but he really stained himself with his lousy demeanor.

 

[El Dude]

Haha, I hear that. Both were eminently American: brash and entitled (And yes, I am American .

 

[Great Hands]

Thanks for this series, El Dude, I'm really enjoying it!

 

[Kieran]

Great stuff, Dude, a very interesting take. These were all first-generation professionals too, as in, I doubt any of them played in the amateur days. You see a certain swagger and flamboyance enter the game around this time, a confidence and image that wasn't there, or maybe was different, in the old black & white days of the pro-am divide...

 

[El Dude]

The next part is now "stickied," so I'll let this one fade away...