Re: McEnroe's Other Best Chance at the French Open
Whisper 25 April 2005 07:14:07
Debjit wrote:
The CNNSI article I posted states that he just falls apart. He's on the> brink of taking control of the match, and loses the next 11 games or> so. Apparently he was flexing for the crowd, waving to the space> shuttle, etc, etc. Lol. It just seemed like such an easy draw for him.> The next year overshadows 1983 as his best chance because he was 4> minutes away from the French, but 1983 looks like a blown chance as> well. I still am wondering what type of international incident he would> have caused playing Noah in the Finals. It's sad in some ways,> Mcenroe's career. It's not often you have an all-time great player, and> much of what is thought is that he could have been so much> greater......who else in any other sport? Wilt Chamberlin? Other than> Fed I thought McEnroe was the most talented player I've seen, but it> shows how much being mentally into it, and dedicated to your craft is> so important. If McEnroe had 1/2 the dedication of a guy like Lendl he> would probably be the best player of all time.>
Yes, as far as pure talent goes he's the best ever.
We always hear about McEnroe blowing his best chance at the French Open> in the Finals of 1984 of Ivan Lendl. But did he blow his chances the> previous year as well? Tied a set with Mats Wilander, up 4-1 in the> 3rd, a point from triple break point, and then a chance again in the> 7th game, and then he fell apart. If he somehow holds on to beat> Wilander, he would have played Jose Higuera in the semis (who he'd> beaten twice, with no losses...both times on clay) and Yannick Noah in> the finals. That would have been something, watching two S&V players in> the French Open. McEnroe never lost to Noah, but of course he would> have been facing the French crowd. That would have been some volatile> match. Can you imagine what he might have done? Would have made great> tv. Of course I don't think he would have been intimidated as Wilander> seemingly was.....Just imagining.>
Good post. Never considered this, but you're spot on.
Gotta figure Mac woulda won it had he got past Mats. I recall he fell apart in a big way - lost last 10 games?
Good post. Never considered this, but you're spot on.>>
Gotta figure Mac woulda won it had he got past Mats. I recall he>
fell>
apart in a big way - lost last 10 games?>
Yes I agree. Unlike Sampras, Mac was not clueless on clay. He had his> chances. He was not a total fuckwit like Sampras on clay.>
Ouch! That might have hurt!>
Not at all. Sampras' overall results are best ever, so there is no need for 'coulda woulda'. Mac on the other hand squandered his talent so we are left wondering....
