Post#30 » by rzzzzz » Sun Aug 4, 2024 7:31 pm
Joker is a very strong candidate for GOAT, but not undisputed. The fact is the game changed dramatically with the approval of synthetic large headed racquets. (I’m so appreciative that MLB resisted SI’s campaign to allow metal/composite bats. Not only would the scores be ridiculous, but the entire infield would have to wear catcher gear.) The small headed wood racquets placed an emphasis on sheer speed and anticipation. Which is why more tournaments were won by younger players, and even the best players tended to retire by the time they were 30. (Ken Rosewall being the notable exception.) Serve and volley vs baseliners was an interesting match-up, as opposed to today’s game where the obvious tactic is to set up to wallop the ball with maximum top spin. Pete Sampras and Martina were the last to charge the net relentlessly, and a joy to watch. Though so was the graceful Evonne Goolagong and magnificent Bjorn Borg (who skipped the long flight to Australia like most pros back then, and had trouble playing under the lights in the US Open finals, but won everything else before retiring prior to age 25.) And, of course, Rod Laver won a Grand Slam as an amateur, and then was not allowed to compete in the majors for the next 7 years until they became “Open”, and then won another grand slam. How many more majors would he have won? So oranges and apples. I much prefer the wood era, but marvel at the success of today’s aging phenoms. Of which, Joker is definitely no slouch.
