Match Rewind: Agassi vs. Sampras — US Open Final, 1995

[giancarlo]

30 Years On: Agassi vs. Sampras, US Open 1995
Hard to believe it’s been three decades since Sampras’ four-set win over Agassi in one of the most memorable US Open finals. Agassi came in on a scorching summer streak, but Pete’s serving and composure turned the tide — a match Agassi later called one of his toughest losses.

What stands out most to you about this final?

[don_budge]

What stands out most to you about this final?

What stands out to me in this match is that Agassi is a cheater. Not necessarily corroborated by the tennis authorities of the time but interesting nonetheless. Agassi is playing with a Head racquet that measures approximately 108 square inches compared to Pete Sampras' Wilson Pro Staff at 85 square inches. The discrepancy in the play is obvious. If both were using the same standard racquet Sampras is the far superior player. This is how the game had been engineered. At the 1984 U. S. Open all four men's semifinalists used oversized graphite racquets for the first time in a Grand Slam event. Apparently there were no rules regarding the equipment. The game was sold down the river by the equipment manufacturers. Tennis metaphoring life...once again.

Sampras' racquet is "only" 79 percent as big as Agassi's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTNvz2F682k&t=2s

[jimlosaltos]

What stands out to me in this match is that Agassi is a cheater. Not necessarily corroborated by the tennis authorities of the time but interesting nonetheless. Agassi is playing with a Head racquet that measures approximately 108 square inches compared to Pete Sampras' Wilson Pro Staff at 85 square inches. The discrepancy in the play is obvious. If both were using the same standard racquet Sampras is the far superior player. This is how the game had been engineered. At the 1984 U. S. Open all four men's semifinalists used oversized graphite racquets for the first time in a Grand Slam event. Apparently there were no rules regarding the equipment. The game was sold down the river by the equipment manufacturers. Tennis metaphoring life...once again.

Sampras' racquet is "only" 79 percent as big as Agassi's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTNvz2F682k&t=2s

You made me wonder when rules changed so I did a quick query on Google. I do NOT guarantee the results:


In 1984, the US Open, as a Grand Slam event, adhered to the ITF's International Tennis Federation (ITF) rules for tennis rackets, according to Best Stringer Worldwide. These rules were in place to regulate racket technology and maintain the nature of the game.
.
Here are the key racket specifications under the ITF rules in 1984:j
.
Racket specifications under the ITF rules in 1984 included limitations on overall length (not to exceed 29 inches or 73.7 cm), overall width (not to exceed 12.5 inches or 31.7 cm), hitting surface length (not to exceed 15.5 inches or 39.4 cm), and hitting surface width (not to exceed 11.5 inches or 29.2 cm). Stringing patterns had to be flat and generally uniform. Frame modifications were restricted to those preventing wear and tear, vibration, or for weight distribution. Rackets could not contain a power source affecting play characteristics or any device for communication, advice, or instruction. For further details, refer to the Best Stringer Worldwide source.
.
ATP rules also adhered to these specifications.
Context

• The ITF began limiting racket size in 1981 to control technological advancements.
• Racket head sizes in the 1970s and 1980s were generally smaller than modern rackets.
• Graphite frames became dominant in the 1980s, replacing wood.

[jimlosaltos]

don_budge, here also is a list on the Tennis Warehouse forum from back in 2018. Again, this is a forum posters compilation by retrowagen, a high rated poster there.

In a recent thread, our friend, "BorgCash" asked for a complete list of Grand Slam tournament winners and their racquets from 1980 through 1985, a particularly transitional period in our favourite sport. Today, I had a little spare time on my hands, so I compiled that list, for our reference, and proceeded further, through 1991, covering both the winning ladies and gentlemen. I've also tried to identify the composition of the frames in question, and the head sizes, as they were considered at the time (our "modern" idea of a midsize is far larger than it was in the 80's!).

It also bears mentioning that I have listed the tournaments in chronological order by year, and prior to calendar year 1986, the Australian Open took place in December, but commencing in 1987, moved to January. Thus, there was no Australian Open in 1986 - an interesting footnote in Grand Slam history.

Here's my list. Hope you all enjoy!

1980:
1980 French: Bjorn Borg, Donnay Borg Pro (standard wood); Chris Evert, Wilson Chris Evert Autograph (standard wood)
1980 Wimbledon: Bjorn Borg, Donnay Borg Pro (standard wood); Evonne Goolagong, Dunlop Volley (standard aluminium)
1980 US Open: John McEnroe, Wilson Jack Kramer Pro Staff (standard wood); Chris Evert, Chris Evert Autograph (standard wood)
1980 Australian: Brian Teacher, Pro Kennex Black Ace (midsize graphite composite); Hana Mandlikova, Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph (standard wood)

1981:
1981 French: Bjorn Borg, Donnay Borg Pro (standard wood); Hana Mandlikova, Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph (standard wood)
1981 Wimbledon: John McEnroe, Dunlop Maxply Fort (standard wood); Chris Evert, Chris Evert Autograph (standard wood)
1981 US Open: John McEnroe, Dunlop Maxply Fort (standard wood); Tracy Austin, Spalding Tracy Austin Autograph (standard wood)
1981 Australian: Johan Kriek, Rossignol R40 “S” (standard aluminum/fiberglass sandwich); Martina Navratilova, Yonex Carbonex 1 (standard wood)

1982:
1982 French: Mats Wilander, Rossignol F200 Carbon (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-7 (midsize graphite composite)
1982 Wimbledon: Jimmy Connors, Wilson T-2000 (standard steel); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-7 (midsize graphite composite)
1982 US Open: Jimmy Connors, Wilson T-2000 (standard steel); Chris Evert, Chris Evert Autograph (standard wood)
1982 Australian: Johan Kriek, Rossignol Johan Kriek Carbon (standard aluminum/fiberglass sandwich); Chris Evert, Chris Evert Autograph (standard wood)

1983:
1983 French: Yannick Noah, Le Coq Sportif Concept 3 (oversized wood/graphite); Chris Evert, Chris Evert Autograph (standard wood)
1983 Wimbledon: John McEnroe, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-7 (midsize graphite composite)
1983 US Open: Jimmy Connors, Wilson T-2000 (standard steel); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-7 (midsize graphite composite)
1983 Australian: Mats Wilander, Rossignol F200 Carbon (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-7 (midsize graphite composite)

1984:
1984 French: Ivan Lendl, Adidas Lendl GTX Pro (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-22 (midsize graphite composite)
1984 Wimbledon: John McEnroe, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-22 (midsize graphite composite)
1984 US Open: John McEnroe, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-22 (midsize graphite composite)
1984 Australian: Mats Wilander, Rossignol F200 Carbon (midsize graphite composite); Chris Evert, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite)

1985:
1985 French: Mats Wilander, Rossignol F200 Carbon (midsize graphite composite); Chris Evert, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite)
1985 Wimbledon: Boris Becker, Puma G. Vilas (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-22 (midsize graphite composite)
1985 US Open: Ivan Lendl, Adidas Lendl GTX Pro (midsize graphite composite); Hana Mandlikova, Wilson Ultra 2 Midsize (midsize graphite composite)
1985 Australian: Stefan Edberg, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-22 (midsize graphite composite)

1986:
1986 French: Ivan Lendl, Adidas Lendl GTX Pro-T (midsize graphite composite); Chris Evert, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite)
1986 Wimbledon: Boris Becker, Puma Boris Becker Super (actually Boris Becker Winner with paintjob) (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-22 (midsize graphite composite)
1986 US Open: Ivan Lendl, Adidas Lendl GTX Pro-T (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex R-22 (midsize graphite composite)

1987:
1987 Australian: Stefan Edberg, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite); Hana Mandlikova, Wilson Ultra 2 Midsize (midsize graphite composite)
1987 French: Ivan Lendl, Adidas Lendl GTX Pro-T (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)
1987 Wimbledon: Pat Cash, Prince Magnesium Pro Series 90 (midsize magnesium alloy); Martina Navratilova, Dunlop Max 200g (with paintjob) (midsize graphite composite)
1987 US Open: Ivan Lendl, Adidas Lendl GTX Pro-T (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Dunlop Max 200g (with paintjob) (midsize graphite composite)

1988:
1988 Australian: Mats Wilander, Rossignol F200 Carbon (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)
1988 French: Mats Wilander, Rossignol F200 Carbon (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)
1988 Wimbledon: Stefan Edberg, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)
1988 US Open: Mats Wilander, Rossignol F200 Carbon (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)

1989:
1989 Australian: Ivan Lendl, Adidas Lendl GTX Pro-T (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)
1989 French: Michael Chang, Prince graphite Series 110 (oversize graphite composite); Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Slazenger Silhouette 95 (midsize graphite composite)
1989 Wimbledon: Boris Becker, Puma Boris Becker Super (actually Boris Becker Winner with paintjob) (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)
1989 US Open: Boris Becker, Puma Boris Becker Super (actually Boris Becker Winner with paintjob) (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)

1990:
1990 Australian: Ivan Lendl, Adidas Lendl GTX Pro-T (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g (midsize graphite composite)
1990 French: Andres Gomez, Yonex R-22 (midsize graphite composite); Monica Seles, Prince Graphite Series 110 (oversize graphite composite)
1990 Wimbledon: Stefan Edberg, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite); Martina Navratilova, Yonex RQ-180 (midsize graphite composite)
1990 US Open: Pete Sampras, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite); Gabriella Sabatini, Prince Graphite Series 110 (oversize graphite composite)

1991:
1991 Australian: Boris Becker, Estusa ProVantech PB (midsize graphite composite); Monica Seles, Yonex RQ-380 (midsize graphite composite)
1991 French: Jim Courier, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite); Monica Seles, Yonex RQ-380 (midsize graphite composite)
1991 Wimbledon: Michael Stich, Fischer Vacuum Pro Mid (midsize graphite composite); Steffi Graf, Dunlop Max 200g Pro (midsize graphite composite)
1991 US Open: Stefan Edberg, Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (midsize graphite composite); Monica Seles, Yonex RQ-380 (midsize graphite composite

#

[giancarlo]

Ok. It’s fascinating that this match brought up the topic of equipment transition. Interestingly, when it comes to the string setup, Agassi used the hybrid setup of Ashaway Kevlar (mains) and VS Gut (crosses), while Pete used a full set of VS Gut at close to 18 gauge. I would say that Agassi’s set up may not have been a true advantage, I used to play with that set up too, and it hurts my arm just thinking about it.

[klacr]

Love the contrast in styles. They both hit the ball so pure. Agassi on the ground strokes and Sampras on his serve. 30 years later and that Sampras serve... we've still have not seen a weapon like it. Truly timeless in its technique and aesthetics and effectiveness. These guys brought tennis to a new level. grateful to have grown up in this era.

Kyle LaCroix
Boca Raton
SETS

[stroke]

Love the contrast in styles. They both hit the ball so pure. Agassi on the ground strokes and Sampras on his serve. 30 years later and that Sampras serve... we've still have not seen a weapon like it. Truly timeless in its technique and aesthetics and effectiveness. These guys brought tennis to a new level. grateful to have grown up in this era.

Kyle LaCroix
Boca Raton
SETS

Yes the Sampras serve is timeless. Roddick may have surpassed him in rpm's and mph's with his scary fast twitch motion, but the Sampras serve was so easy on the eye. And Agassi, to me the first player that brought the nowhere to go groundstroke game, forehand and backhand. So many are like now, but Agassi to me the first.

[jimlosaltos]

Ok. It’s fascinating that this match brought up the topic of equipment transition. Interestingly, when it comes to the string setup, Agassi used the hybrid setup of Ashaway Kevlar (mains) and VS Gut (crosses), while Pete used a full set of VS Gut at close to 18 gauge. I would say that Agassi’s set up may not have been a true advantage, I used to play with that set up too, and it hurts my arm just thinking about it.

Interesting about the strings. Never played with Kevlar, which seems better suited for bullet-proof vests

I last saw Sampras play an exo vs Monfils at the late, lamented SAP Open in San Jose. He had traded in his Pro Staff for a Babolat.

Among many intriguing comments from Pete at the event was "I wish I changed to these strings { looked like black RPM} years ago. My arm always hurt." I think Pete, like Borg, strung his gut at 75-80 lbs was it? during his tour days. One of the conventional myths is that copoly is "harder" than gut. But that's only if the tension is the same.

[giancarlo]

Yes the Sampras serve is timeless. Roddick may have surpassed him in rpm's and mph's with his scary fast twitch motion, but the Sampras serve was so easy on the eye. And Agassi, to me the first player that brought the nowhere to go groundstroke game, forehand and backhand. So many are like now, but Agassi to me the first.

Totally agree. To me, Agassi was the first to truly play offensively from the two-handed backhand side—specifically with his running, open-stance backhand. His incredible footwork allowed him to keep transferring power into the shot where others would have resorted to a slice. He also pioneered the modern recovery footwork for the two-hander, particularly when hitting on the dead run from a closed stance—landing on the outside foot to maintain balance and enable immediate recovery. Unless someone can point me to old footage of another player doing this earlier, I’d say he perfected this footwork pattern in the late ’80s.

[don_budge]

What stands out most to you about this final?

It would be easy to simply interpret my remarks about the equipment as remarks about the equipment. But the bigger question and contrast between these two is one of ethics and character. Agassi early on made a television commercial (when we still had television) for a camera company and the mantra of the commercial was "image is everything". Agassi being a rather dubious individual in some respects. For instance...he chose to wear a wig instead of owning up to being bald. That is a bit of odd vanity...for a man. Pete Sampras on the other hand was much more old school and traditional in his approach to the game and its traditions. He was a Robert Lansdorp protege from what I understand and it doesn't get any more old school than Lansdorp. On the other hand Agassi was a Nick "Bowl of Cherries" clone and the "image is everything" sort of confirms this.

Sampras often expressed his regret to not having been a part of the wood racquet sport of real tennis. By the time it was his time to take the stage the "unethical" leadership in tennis had already sold the game down the river to the equipment manufacturers such as Howard Head and Prince Racquets. Agassi, on the other hand, was the rebel to all things traditional. He used the big cheater and dressed in denim on the court. Always drawing attention to his enormous ego and his insatiable desire for attention. He was plenty good at it as well. He sucked in a huge following that fell head first for the scam of modern tennis. Let's face it...you no longer can have a intelligent conversation across eras of tennis. Because the game was engineered beyond all recognition.

So, when I see this video between Sampras and Agassi I see a much larger question. One of ethics and character. Sampras right out of the tradition of the old legends of the game and Agassi the new generation of pretenders. You don't believe that he was actually playing tennis with that 108 square inch canon? Much like we see in the world today. The lines are blurred with time and the propaganda is blasted at full volume until the individual simply gives up and goes alone. Take the current debacle of Russian tennis players being denied to represent their country and the flag it represents. Total horse manure. More propaganda. It is actually impossible to separate tennis and politics although currently there is a ban on any such conversations.

Image is everything. Indeed it is. In a fake world. In a fake sport. It is everything...to most of the herd.

[don_budge]

Love the contrast in styles. They both hit the ball so pure. Agassi on the ground strokes and Sampras on his serve. 30 years later and that Sampras serve... we've still have not seen a weapon like it. Truly timeless in its technique and aesthetics and effectiveness. These guys brought tennis to a new level. grateful to have grown up in this era.

Kyle LaCroix
Boca Raton
SETS

Trust me...Agassi would not be hitting it so pure if he was using a racquet of the size Pete Sampras was using. This is a real crime in fair play. One that was condoned by the powers that be in tennis at the time. Ancient history of course. Swept under the rug. Looks are deceiving. Image is not everything. Truth is everything. Trust is everything. Understanding and discernment is everything.
The Pete Sampras serve is iconic.

[don_budge]

I wonder if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will be negotiating building a bridge or a tunnel from Russia to Alaska this weekend. Why else would they be meeting in Alaska?

[hybridfh]

It would be easy to simply interpret my remarks about the equipment as remarks about the equipment. But the bigger question and contrast between these two is one of ethics and character. Agassi early on made a television commercial (when we still had television) for a camera company and the mantra of the commercial was "image is everything". Agassi being a rather dubious individual in some respects. For instance...he chose to wear a wig instead of owning up to being bald. That is a bit of odd vanity...for a man. Pete Sampras on the other hand was much more old school and traditional in his approach to the game and its traditions. He was a Robert Lansdorp protege from what I understand and it doesn't get any more old school than Lansdorp. On the other hand Agassi was a Nick "Bowl of Cherries" clone and the "image is everything" sort of confirms this.

Sampras often expressed his regret to not having been a part of the wood racquet sport of real tennis. By the time it was his time to take the stage the "unethical" leadership in tennis had already sold the game down the river to the equipment manufacturers such as Howard Head and Prince Racquets. Agassi, on the other hand, was the rebel to all things traditional. He used the big cheater and dressed in denim on the court. Always drawing attention to his enormous ego and his insatiable desire for attention. He was plenty good at it as well. He sucked in a huge following that fell head first for the scam of modern tennis. Let's face it...you no longer can have a intelligent conversation across eras of tennis. Because the game was engineered beyond all recognition.

So, when I see this video between Sampras and Agassi I see a much larger question. One of ethics and character. Sampras right out of the tradition of the old legends of the game and Agassi the new generation of pretenders. You don't believe that he was actually playing tennis with that 108 square inch canon? Much like we see in the world today. The lines are blurred with time and the propaganda is blasted at full volume until the individual simply gives up and goes alone. Take the current debacle of Russian tennis players being denied to represent their country and the flag it represents. Total horse manure. More propaganda. It is actually impossible to separate tennis and politics although currently there is a ban on any such conversations.

Image is everything. Indeed it is. In a fake world. In a fake sport. It is everything...to most of the herd.

Hmm...I dunno, I think your biases are too strong. If a 108 cannon is such an advantage then why aren't any pros using one now? Heck they're allowed to use up to approximately 140 sq in. these days but nobody does. I use a 98 but used a 95 until 2 years ago...not that much of a difference, and the 95 was better for serving and slicing. Federer used a 90 for many years and that worked out OK for him.

[stroke]

Hmm...I dunno, I think your biases are too strong. If a 108 cannon is such an advantage then why aren't any pros using one now? Heck they're allowed to use up to approximately 140 sq in. these days but nobody does. I use a 98 but used a 95 until 2 years ago...not that much of a difference, and the 95 was better for serving and slicing. Federer used a 90 for many years and that worked out OK for him.

That is very true, it is all about winning, and the money it brings. That is why so many players recently, like Bublik and Tsitsipas, have switched racquets. They want to win more and think a racquet switch may help. If a 108 square inch racquet would bring in more wins and money, I am certain they would be using it, but a racquet that size is a bit unwieldy probably to them. On a side note about Andre's hair, he was under contract to Nike and coerced by Nike(or at least the allure of Nike money) to wear the wig. He did of course not long after buzz his head. I do not know if Nike was part of his decision to ultimately do that.

[don_budge]

Hmm...I dunno, I think your biases are too strong. If a 108 cannon is such an advantage then why aren't any pros using one now? Heck they're allowed to use up to approximately 140 sq in. these days but nobody does. I use a 98 but used a 95 until 2 years ago...not that much of a difference, and the 95 was better for serving and slicing. Federer used a 90 for many years and that worked out OK for him.

Hmm...you dunno? You think my biases are too strong? Too strong compared to whose? That's interesting hybridfh. You use a 98 but used a 95 until two years ago. That's fine. Nobody cares. I'm only talking about the professional game. What hacks do in their spare time is none of my business. But you prove my point. Thank you.

Case in point...Roger Federer. For years on this forum I questioned his lack of vision in not switching to a bigger racquet. Just as you see in the Pete Sampras/Andre Agassi match at the U. S. Open, Agassi has an advantage in using the larger racquet. Agassi was 14-20 head to head against Pete Sampras over the years and without the advantage of the racquet he would have been 0-34. Sampras being the more talented tennis player by far. Agassi's only prayer to return the Sampras serve was to use a larger tennis racquet. Even so...he was guessing. Sampras was that much superior.

Roger handicapped himself over the years using inferior equipment. I wonder how many more Grand Slam titles he might have won if he had switched earlier. How many more matches he would have won against his major rivals in Djokovic, Nadal and Murray who were all using 100 square inches compared to Federer's ninety. Once Federer switched racquets it was as if he was transformed on steroids. According to my "bias" he improved his record against Nadal dramatically. Nadal was no longer able to access a gold mine on the Federer backhand. The difference between Roger's racquet and that of his rivals was along the lines of ten percent. What is the difference in a closely fought tennis match? Often it is mere millimeters. Fractions of inches. The size of the racquet doesn't matter? Facts matter.

Ethics is a boring subject these days. It is more comfortable to imagine that today's tennis players are so much more superior than the players of past eras. It gives one the sense of superiority. It's only human nature. I remember at the age of 57 in 2011playing against the players in my program and for a brief moment fooled myself into thinking that I might be playing along the lines of the real Don Budge, who I played with when he was that age. I was beating everyone in the club. I came to my senses and realized the Mr. Budge was using his trusty wooden blunderbuss with a grooved wooden handle and no leather for a grip. This was vintage 1972. In my heart I knew I was just another hack compared to the majesty of Don Budge. Another wannabe with a big graphite racquet. The illusion is enough for most...I suppose. It isn't so much that I am biased on this subject. I have experience first hand and an uncanny ability to discern. Without bias.

Bj?rn Borg retired from tennis at the age of 26...in January of 1983. It has always been a theory of mine that he retired because the game was going in a direction that he couldn't stomach. It was puke worthy in my opinion too. I was madder than a hornet from my miserable vantage point in the food chain of competitive tennis. I hated every single "cheater" who took advantage of the new equipment when it was being introduced. Every inferior player at the bottom of the food chain switched over at first to get the edge on their opponent. Thereby completely destroying the notion of tennis etiquette that "thou shall not seek unfair advantage over your opponent". A quaint notion left over from the days before tennis went open and before the money contaminated the purity of the game. Borg came out of retirement briefly in 1991 and was using his beloved wooden Donnay racquet against the graphite howitzers that had taken over the game for ten years. What was his point? I believe it was a middle finger at the tennis establishment...Swedish style. If our paths ever cross here in Sweden I am going to ask him...what was the deal?

So you think my biases are "too strong"? What am I supposed to do hybridfh...go along with the herd?