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

[jimlosaltos]

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.

Good points. And yet later Fed beat Rafa 7 out of 8 times after switching to a larger-head racket.

Critics said Fed was a fool not to have switched years earlier. Problem is, it took Fed perhaps a year to acclimate to the new tool. Switching tools when a player is winning is hard. Heck, ATP players are afraid to switch shoe sponsorships

I'll repeat the quote from Pete Sampras at an exo wishing he had switched from gut at 75 pounds or so to copoly years earlier {"My arm always hurt". And yes copoly can be easier on the arm if it is playable at a lower tension than gut.}

Much easier for a Tsitsipas or Bublik to switch.

Just recalled, Serena switched to a snowshoe sized racket, the kind WTA 3.5 players use, years back then gave it up. Too little control.

It must be tough to know how to set rules on equipment and predict what the effect will be on the sport. MLB bans aluminum bats used in college so it won't turn into home run derby. The NFL introduced special balls for kickers, marked with a big "K", now seemingly everyone is kicking 50 yard field goals (a 70 yarder was hit this exhibition season. Is that good for the sport? ). Delicate balance.

[stroke]

Good points. And yet later Fed beat Rafa 7 out of 8 times after switching to a larger-head racket.

Critics said Fed was a fool not to have switched years earlier. Problem is, it took Fed perhaps a year to acclimate to the new tool. Switching tools when a player is winning is hard. Heck, ATP players are afraid to switch shoe sponsorships

I'll repeat the quote from Pete Sampras at an exo wishing he had switched from gut at 75 pounds or so to copoly years earlier {"My arm always hurt". And yes copoly can be easier on the arm if it is playable at a lower tension than gut.}

Much easier for a Tsitsipas or Bublik to switch.

Just recalled, Serena switched to a snowshoe sized racket, the kind WTA 3.5 players use, years back then gave it up. Too little control.

It must be tough to know how to set rules on equipment and predict what the effect will be on the sport. MLB bans aluminum bats used in college so it won't turn into home run derby. The NFL introduced special balls for kickers, marked with a big "K", now seemingly everyone is kicking 50 yard field goals (a 70 yarder was hit this exhibition season. Is that good for the sport? ). Delicate balance.

As I remember, Fed even went back to his 90 inch racquets at one point after he had officially switched to the 97, and then went back to the 97 and stayed with it. He no doubt has a hard time making the commitment to switch.

[neilchok]

I love these match replays thank you!!!!!!

[neilchok]

One thing I was surprised is how much stronger Sampras was to Agassi. It almost seemed I was watching a really good junior playing a pro. Sampras was significantly stronger and faster tit seemed. One thing I do notice is how many points are almost throw away pts in that match between Agassi vs. Sampras, where I feel today every point is played with so much more at stake. Also I was surprised with how much trouble the Sampras backhand slice gave Andre, I would think he would just be feasting on Sampras's backhand.

Andre also looked really stiff on the court, like he just couldn't get really bend low, and would just almost seem to just use his amazing hands to win pts.

[don_budge]

Roger Federer...Speaking of racquets

A little insight. For a change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sny-3i8GgW4

[hybridfh]

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.

...

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

I was on holidays so only returned now to read your post. I still stay that I don't think a 108 "cannon" is an advantage...if it were, we'd see pros using them or going even bigger. Also, of course we are all hacks compared to the pros, let alone all-time-greats, everybody knows that. What everybody didn't know - but now probably knows - is your lack of class from taking a swipe like that.

[don_budge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKZHjHlH8s8

Is class the same thing as grace? Originally I thought that this Seinfeld episode was about Elaine's lack of class but as it turns out it was a lack of grace. She doesn't seem to be too put out...frankly, neither am I. A lack of class because why? Hmmm...because I point out the obvious and nobody else agrees or worse, wants to admit it?

"History is a set of lies agreed upon." ...Napolean Bonaparte

My comment about the size of hybridfh's racquet wasn't a personal dig. I am less than a hack. Without any class...at that. But historically it is important to draw a distinction between reality and fake. Modern tennis most certainly fake tennis. Much as pickleball and paddle are. Year ago they introduced racquet ball as another form of fake tennis. A truck driver's sort of tennis.

This match between Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi is a perfect example of what I am historically referring to. The 1983 Wimbledon final between Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe is even more telling. Biased? This entire forum seems to be biased...which is quite ok. Everyone has that right to face the facts or live in a make believe world. Like it or not...much of what exists today is fake. Like Napolean said...a set of lies agreed upon. Everyone agrees that modern tennis is real tennis. Except me. hybridfh doesn't think the size of a racquet makes any difference. I find that amusing. So I poke fun at it. Everyone here agrees that I lack class. I never said I had any. People with class look down their noses at others that don't have it. Like in the Seinfeld episode. Elaine decided it really didn't matter to her if she had grace or not.

History is a set of lies agreed upon. Everyone agrees that the Russians don't deserve to have their flag to represent them because it is all Russia's fault with regards to the conflict in Ukraine. I don't agree with that set of lies either. But it is interesting how desperately people will cling to their set of lies. The Europeans and NATO will not let that conflict come to a peaceful end. Donald Trump gets vilified for trying to end it. History is a set of lies agreed upon. The powers of the Tennis elite came to an agreement years ago. Unbeknownst to the players. I protest.

[don_budge]

I was on holidays... What everybody didn't know - but now probably knows - is your lack of class from taking a swipe like that.

Interestingly enough...I have been reading the Bible quite extensively for the past several years. Bible study. It's a good book. The good book as they say. I don't think that the word "class" appears once. I find that very interesting. Compelling even.