Thoughts about Tennis Tradition...

[don_budge]

Lies...the usual suspects

"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." -- Vladimir Lenin

“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” -- Adolf Hitler

"It doesn't change a thing...but if it does change things it will be for the better. Honest." --ITF (on large racquets)

[stotty]

The draw for the 1980 French Open men's singles...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Ev...Id=520&Draw=ms

You're right, the draw sheets say a lot. I totted up the number of games Borg lost on his march to victory...just 38. I thought that might be a record. I was shocked to find it wasn't. Borg bettered that record two years earlier, winning the French Open for the loss of just 32 games.

We all know Borg was on a different level back then on clay so we shouldn't be surprised, but just imagine the level on concentration it must have taken to do that. Players couldn't hit opponents off with wood as players can these days with modern rackets. He must have broken opponents down with sheer attrition.

Erik van Dillen...what happened to him?...and Kim Warwick?

[don_budge]

Every Draw Sheet Tells a Story...Rod Stewart

Those draw sheets are interesting, aren't they? You get to see how players at times squeezed through the draw. Old forgotten names get brought back to life.

I firmly believe that I didn't need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete
Look how wrong you can be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmyGa29zIqk

"Every Picture Tells A Story"...Rod Stewart (1971)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSAGmcxPSRs

Spent some time feelin' inferior
standing in front of my mirror
Combed my hair in a thousand ways
but I came out looking just the same

Daddy said, "Son, you better see the world
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave
But remember one thing don't lose your head
to a woman that'll spend your bread"
So I got out

Paris was a place you could hide away
if you felt you didn't fit in
French police wouldn't give me no peace
They claimed I was a nasty person
Down along the Left Bank minding my own
Was knocked down by a human stampede
Got arrested for inciting a peacful riot
when all I wanted was a cup of tea
I was accused
I moved on

Down in Rome I wasn't getting enough
of the things that keeps a young man alive
My body stunk but I kept my funk
at a time when I was right out of luck
Getting desperate indeed I was
Looking like a tourist attraction
Oh my dear I better get out of here
'for the Vatican don't give no sanction
I wasn't ready for that, no no

I moved right out east yeah!
On the Peking ferry I was feeling merry
sailing on my way back here
I fell in love with a slit eyed lady
by the light of an eastern moon
Shangai Lil never used the pill
She claimed that it just ain't natural
She took me up on deck and bit my neck
Oh people I was glad I found her
Oh yeah I was glad I found her

I firmly believe that I didn't need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete
Look how wrong you can be

The women I've known I wouldn't let tie my shoe
They wouldn't give you the time of day
But the slit eyed lady knocked me off my feet
God I was glad I found her
And if they had the words I could tell to you
to help you on the way down the road
I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats
'cause it's all been said before
Make the best out of the bad just laugh it off
You didn't have to come here anyway
So remember, every picture tells a story don't it

So remember...every draw sheet tells a story.

Go ahead...listen to the video and read the lyrics at the same time...I dare you!

[stotty]

The draw for the 1980 French Open men's singles...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Ev...Id=520&Draw=ms

I just love these video clips of these great finals of Grand Slams...but the real story is often in the draw sheets. It is how the contestants got to the finals that often precludes the results of the actual championship match.

I love the old clips too. I share your passion. It's interesting looking at these old matches again how I notice things I never noticed back then. I think Tennisplayer has taught me a lot in this respect. It's made me look at strokes differently and identify key points.

I saw Vitas play at Queens Club one year. He was incredibly quick around the net and had terrific reflexes. He was nice to watch.

Those draw sheets are interesting, aren't they? You get to see how players at times squeezed through the draw. Old forgotten names get brought back to life.

[don_budge]

1980 French Open Championships...Bjorn Borg vs. Vitas Gerulaitis l

Borg v Gerulaitis in the 1980 French Open final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGvgXpuSKaE

Vitas is no match for Borg on clay but some of the rallies are good. Vitas's forehand is interesting as the backswing varies in size depending on the shot he is playing. His backswing goes beyond the plane of the body whenever he tries to get increased topspin. But no matter how well Vitas plays there is no way through. Borg can rally forever and Vitas's game cannot stand up to it. Nevertheless this short clip is attractive to watch.

Borg was the forerunner to the modern game in so many ways. He had the forehand grip that produced topspin by default while few other players of that era had...the rest is history.

I just love the way Borg blankets the court. Correct me if I am wrong but has any player ever moved better?

The draw for the 1980 French Open men's singles...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Ev...Id=520&Draw=ms

I don't know...I don't think that Borg was the forerunner of the modern game which I associate with bigger equipment. But I certainly understand what you mean about the grips and the two handed style of play. The thing is...Borg was a great all court player as well. His game certainly "evolved" to encompass all of the various styles of play back then. His game certainly stood the test of different surfaces.

But this is an incredible clip. Vitas Gerulaitis was just a notch below the Big Three of yesteryear...Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. Vitas had a lifetime record of 515-223...not to shabby. Boy if you put the four of them together they just about cover the spectrum of play back then. Four very diverse interpretations of the game...something that seems to be sorely lacking in "modern tennis". Correct me if I am wrong.

But Vitas was an incredible performer day in day out in spite of his reputation of a balls out partier. Take this run to the French Open finals against Borg. He won against Peter Elter in the first round in five sets, second round dispatched Fritz Buehning who was also a Hopman protege in straight sets, then he defeated a Czech that I have never heard of in four sets and then he beat Ferdi Taygan in straight sets. He was just getting warmed up though as he defeated the great Polish player Wojtek Fibak in five sets and then he had a monumental tussle with Jimmy Connors whom he beat in five in the semis. I think it would be safe to say the Vitas had also done his fair share of partying in the Paris atmosphere of the "Parisian Hour" not to mention partnering with the great Australian Fred Stolle in the doubles. They eventually lost to the winners of the doubles Victor Amaya and Henry Pfister. Victor being a 1972 graduate of high school in Michigan, same as me...he was really a sight to behold. About 6'7", a mountain of big left handed power...coached by the great Welby Van Horn according to legend.

Bjorn Borg on the other hand cut down on his activities and had a ferocious run to the finals. He never lost a set the entire tournament. He went through the draw like a hot knife through melting butter. Take a look at his semifinal result against one Harold Solomon...6-2, 6-2, 6-0. He just pounded the American clay court specialist into the red clay of Roland Garros. Most impressive stuff...he was blanketing the court the whole tournament that's for certain. Suffocating the opposition in the process.

I just love these video clips of these great finals of Grand Slams...but the real story is often in the draw sheets. It is how the contestants got to the finals that often precludes the results of the actual championship match.

[stotty]

Borg v Gerulaitis 1980

I like this clip:

Borg v Gerulaitis in the 1980 French Open final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGvgXpuSKaE

Vitas is no match for Borg on clay but some of the rallies are good. Vitas's forehand is interesting as the backswing varies in size depending on the shot he is playing. His backswing goes beyond the plane of the body whenever he tries to get increased topspin. But no matter how well Vitas plays there is no way through. Borg can rally forever and Vitas's game cannot stand up to it. Nevertheless this short clip is attractive to watch.

Borg was the forerunner to the modern game in so many ways. He had the forehand grip that produced topspin by default while few other players of that era had...the rest is history.

I just love the way Borg blankets the court. Correct me if I am wrong but has any player ever moved better?

[klacr]

Yes, this would certainly help. But since you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink, it would be up to tennis teachers training young hopefuls to include some hours of theory in a classroom, showing videos of classic matches and pointing out what is relevant and what can be learned. Instill a sense of history for the game, instead of solely going out and whacking the felt off of the ball. Of course, the tennis teachers themselves must be instructed accordingly to teach "history classes", but unless there is a monetary payback somewhere, knowing the world as it is, ruled by the buck, idealistic endeavors will fail...

Phil,

There are several educational institutions that offer degrees with a tennis specific discipline. The Professional Tennis Management Programs at Ferris State University, Methodist University and very soon University of Central Florida, plus a Tennis Tech program at Tyler Junior College offer students a chance for a career in the tennis industry as teaching professionals, club directors, sales reps among other things. There are all interested in a history/research component. These academic programs I believe can be instrumental in keeping alive the historical perspective of sport. Students in these programs learn beginning and advanced teaching techniques, tournament administration, racquet stringing and customization, club programming and many other core requirements all while receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, resort/hospitality management or recreation.

There are numerous other schools in the country that have requested about a PTM program on their campus. Their names I cannot disclose but I can tell you that these schools are major universities and the Professional Tennis management idea have the support of both the USPTA, USPTR, and the USTA.

Allowing these students a chance to learn the historical significance of the game as well as to dissect the technical adjustments over the years can be critical to understanding the game of tennis and all of its technical and tactical nuances. We don't need to go back to wooden racquets to play tennis and the Model T to transport us to the courts, but we do need to remember what it took to play and how we can improve tennis in the future. It's all about education.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[10splayer]

OK, keep calm, I will ignore all your threads and posts from now on, OK?

Oh don't do that...He is a very little, insecure man, that's quite obvious. Hold him to the fire and make him validate his weak, long winded posts. His idea of a forum, is for all of us to sit around in a circle, nod our heads in agreement, gushing over him, as he goes on, and on, and on..and on.

Not sure what he would be called back in the days of continental grips, but in the modern era, he's known as a tool..

[gzhpcu]

For fucking up my thread...jerk

OK, keep calm, I will ignore all your threads and posts from now on, OK?

[don_budge]

Thanks gzhpcu...

For fucking up my thread...jerk

[gzhpcu]

Come on don_budge, let's not hassle...

[don_budge]

The Choir...

I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are to yours.

If what you have is called an opinion...I prefer not to have one.

[gzhpcu]

I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are to yours.

[don_budge]

The Choir...

Actually don_budge, having another opinion is not "soiling a thread". It is conducive to formulating one's own ideas, by being challenged. If everyone just sings with the choir, there is no progress.

You are by nature a backup singer in that choir...just so you know. Just humming along...with the herd.

[gzhpcu]

Actually don_budge, having another opinion is not "soiling a thread". It is conducive to formulating one's own ideas, by being challenged. If everyone just sings with the choir, there is no progress.

P.S. Interesting: you deleted your post...