The Great Big Match

[Kieran]

For me, my dream match would be Sampras v Rafa. I just imagine that if they played it would be brutal. Two Alpha dogs tearing into each other, neither accepting that anyone else should dominate them.

This isn't a comparison thread! It isn't a thread to compare players but instead to ask: what's your dream match?

Could be Borg v Federer, or Lendl v Murray. Bunny Austin against JJ.

What would be your dream scrap?

 

[atttomole]

I would be curious to see Federer versus McEnroe. The battle of tennis geniuses. It would be a match full of finesse.

 

[Kieran]

I would be curious to see Federer versus McEnroe. The battle of tennis geniuses. It would be a match full of finesse.

Exactly! The two most naturally gifted players I've seen, one orthodox and classical and the other unorthodox and innovative. It would be a match containing finesse and strength. I wouldn't underestimate Mac's ability to swing that serve onto the Federer backhand. McEnroe's corkscrew serve was one of the best in tennis history, if we make allowances for inflation.

Plus, it's a contrast in temperaments. Good call! :clap

 

[atttomole]

I would be curious to see Federer versus McEnroe. The battle of tennis geniuses. It would be a match full of finesse.

Exactly! The two most naturally gifted players I've seen, one orthodox and classical and the other unorthodox and innovative. It would be a match containing finesse and strength. I wouldn't underestimate Mac's ability to swing that serve onto the Federer backhand. McEnroe's corkscrew serve was one of the best in tennis history, if we make allowances for inflation.

Plus, it's a contrast in temperaments. Good call! :clap

Yes, McEnroe could have troubled Federer with his lefty serve, but I would imagine Federer driving McEnroe crazy with drop shots. Thanks Kieran!!

 

[atttomole]

I would be curious to see Federer versus McEnroe. The battle of tennis geniuses. It would be a match full of finesse.

Exactly! The two most naturally gifted players I've seen, one orthodox and classical and the other unorthodox and innovative. It would be a match containing finesse and strength. I wouldn't underestimate Mac's ability to swing that serve onto the Federer backhand. McEnroe's corkscrew serve was one of the best in tennis history, if we make allowances for inflation.

Plus, it's a contrast in temperaments. Good call! :clap

Yes, McEnroe could have troubled Federer with his lefty serve, but I would imagine Federer driving McEnroe crazy with drop shots. Thanks Kieran!!

 

[britbox]

Sampras v Rafa would be interesting. What surface did you have in mind?

attomole - Yeah, Fed v McEnroe would be a joy. I'd like to see that on grass if we could travel in time.

 

[tented]

I would be curious to see Federer versus McEnroe. The battle of tennis geniuses. It would be a match full of finesse.

Great pick. I'm assuming you mean Wimbledon? So many mouthwatering aspects to this, especially net play, Roger handling another lefty, and McEnroe dealing with Fed's awesome forehand.

 

[tented]

I guess I'll just put it out there, one of the most obvious ones: Borg/Nadal. On grass, clay, and hards.

Lendl/Murray (which Kieran put in the OP) would be entertaining given their current relationship. You can see the headline: "Teacher Rifles Ball at Student's Face; Grabs Wimbledon Trophy and Runs!"

 

[Kieran]

I think with Sampras v Nadal, the surface would have to be a fictional one on which both could apply their strengths, one which is impossible to find: the fastest skidding grass court that also gives a medium bounce and lets Rafa construct the point like a boa constrictor snake slowly squeezing the life out of a rally.

The attraction for me is the battle of those two personalities. Both inhabit the court definitively. They don't make excuses for their presence there and they don't defer to anybody. They'd find each other to be an opponent they can't bully, and it's the level of combativeness and aggression, both psychological and physical, that would make me lean forward on the sofa for every rally.

My next one would be probably Federer against Connors or McEnroe. Federer is obviously the greater player but on their day these guys could get in his mush like a backstreet urchin with a breadknife and force him to face a few realities. His sophistication alone wouldn't be enough. That's fine, because Roger has his warrior side too, but given the right conditions, this could be a fascinating personality clash. I think tennis-wise, McEnroe is the most instinctive and natural genius I've seen, and when he was on fire he was a fierce competitor also...

 

[ashwin#1]

I'd like to see these :

Mcnroe vs federer
Borg vs federer on grass
Borg vs rafa on clay.

 

[Didi]

Some matchups (peak vs. peak) I would have loved to see...

Agassi/Nalbandian - Djokovic (AO/USO)
Kuerten/Borg - Nadal (FO)
Kuerten - Coria (FO)
McEnroe/Edberg/Stich/Pete - Federer (W)
Connors - Hewitt/Nadal (a bloodbath amongst streetfighters)
Ivanisevic - Janowicz (imagine the meltdown...)
Ivanisevic - Woodforde Part II
Safin - Del Potro (USO)
Lendl - Federer (USO)
Rafter - Edberg (W)

 

[Kieran]

Some matchups (peak vs. peak) I would have loved to see...


Kuerten - Coria (FO)

Kuerten dumped Coria in straights in Paris in 2001. I know, this was a young Coria, but I don't think that chap had it at the very best, and certainly not against Guga.

Kuerten v Borg would be a aesthetic curio. It would have the added draw of being between two clay court heavyweights.

I like idea of Goran v JJ! Throw a bit of red meat on the court and watch them bash each other. Obviously, Goran would be the choice as things stand, but maybe JJ will become the Goran for this age...

 

[shawnbm]

My instinct is Connors v. Rafa on any surface--Jimbo would come at him and fight and fight. Nadal has not seen anyone with his grit except for 2011 Nole. Connors would NOT tolerate the tics and whatnot and would likely let Rafa know it. It would be sheer joy.

Obviously, Borg v. Rafa on clay would be a thing of beauty, but someone mentioned Kuerten and I think he would trouble either of them as well. Federer against Borg on clay would be something.

On grass, Federer v. Sampras for five finals in a row as greatest grass court player of Open Era (or so they think). Then, they get 1984 McEnroe (still the single greatest performance I have ever seen on a court) for the final of finals.

On hards, there are many tantalizing match-ups. Prime Federer against Connors, McEnroe or Sampras would be something.


After all is said and done, everyone goes a few rounds with prime Pancho and Lew Hoad--then Hoad beats prime Pancho in the old-timers final.

 

[Kieran]

My instinct is Connors v. Rafa on any surface--Jimbo would come at him and fight and fight. Nadal has not seen anyone with his grit except for 2011 Nole. Connors would NOT tolerate the tics and whatnot and would likely let Rafa know it. It would be sheer joy.

Good post, Shawn! I can't imagine Connors standing on the baseline like a nervous poodle waiting for Rafa to run through his tics before serving. And those courtside bottles would be stolen, and returned with a pungent yellow liquid inside. That match might end up on the locker-room floor, with security selling tickets at the door...

 

[Didi]

Kuerten dumped Coria in straights in Paris in 2001. I know, this was a young Coria, but I don't think that chap had it at the very best, and certainly not against Guga.

Well I was a massive fan of both guys and since your thread is about personal choices, that's why I picked Kuerten-Coria. As for Coria, I don't agree. At the peak of his powers around 2004-2005 he was incredibly tough to beat on the dirt and would have been a match for anybody in history. He was a magician with such finesse and an effortless game. Wicked dropshots and slices, an incredible feeling for lobs, sick angles off of both wings and an ability to construct points that was only 2nd to Federer in my honest opinion. Injuries and his fragile body in general denied him a glorious career, not a lack of talent. Kuerten and Coria were the most talented claycourters I have ever seen. Likewise I would have killed to see Mecir - Federer on any surface. That would have been poetry in motion.

 

[Kieran]

That;s interesting, Didi. I don't remember much about Coria. I saw him lose that FO final in an agonising way, but after this, not much...

 

[shawnbm]

My instinct is Connors v. Rafa on any surface--Jimbo would come at him and fight and fight. Nadal has not seen anyone with his grit except for 2011 Nole. Connors would NOT tolerate the tics and whatnot and would likely let Rafa know it. It would be sheer joy.

Good post, Shawn! I can't imagine Connors standing on the baseline like a nervous poodle waiting for Rafa to run through his tics before serving. And those courtside bottles would be stolen, and returned with a pungent yellow liquid inside. That match might end up on the locker-room floor, with security selling tickets at the door...

You went where I was thinking but did not go! The water bottles! LOL The Belleview Basher versus the Spanish Bull.

 

[atttomole]

I would be curious to see Federer versus McEnroe. The battle of tennis geniuses. It would be a match full of finesse.

Great pick. I'm assuming you mean Wimbledon? So many mouthwatering aspects to this, especially net play, Roger handling another lefty, and McEnroe dealing with Fed's awesome forehand.

Yes, I mean at Wimbledon. It would be a great match full of jaw-dropping shots, some of them invented. I would be more than happy to watch that match for 6 hours if it lasts that long. I think Fed would be able to pin John on the baseline with his powerful forehead in long rallies.

 

[atttomole]

I would be curious to see Federer versus McEnroe. The battle of tennis geniuses. It would be a match full of finesse.

Great pick. I'm assuming you mean Wimbledon? So many mouthwatering aspects to this, especially net play, Roger handling another lefty, and McEnroe dealing with Fed's awesome forehand.

Yes, I mean at Wimbledon. It would be a great match full of jaw-dropping shots, some of them invented. I would be more than happy to watch that match for 6 hours if it lasts that long. I think Fed would be able to pin John on the baseline with his powerful forehead in long rallies.