Tbh, there wasn’t much difference between the tennis level of Becker in 89 and the one in 95, but besting Lendl, Edgerg and McEnroe was one thing, and playing Sampras and Agassi at their best was a completely different one
I think that Lendl was a better player than Agassi overall, but Agassi with his return of serve and two handed backhand return in-particular, was a far worse match-up for Becker than Lendl was. Lendl was clearly better on clay and indoor hard courts / carpet than Agassi, Agassi was clearly better on grass and they were probably about equal on hard courts. But Sampras was something else.
@@Gizo02 indeed. Ultimately, tennis comes down to matchups, and Agassi’s game was a terrible matchup for Becker’s, whereas Lendl’s was a perfect fit. I’d put Connors Agassi, Lendl, and McEnroe on the same tier, but as you said yourself: Sampras was something else
I really miss Pete. Thank you for uploaded this precious interview.
pete has a wonderful smile
I don't agree Becker level was as high in 1995 as 1989. But agree Sampras was just a different beast regardless of who you put in front of him.
Tbh, there wasn’t much difference between the tennis level of Becker in 89 and the one in 95, but besting Lendl, Edgerg and McEnroe was one thing, and playing Sampras and Agassi at their best was a completely different one
I think that Lendl was a better player than Agassi overall, but Agassi with his return of serve and two handed backhand return in-particular, was a far worse match-up for Becker than Lendl was. Lendl was clearly better on clay and indoor hard courts / carpet than Agassi, Agassi was clearly better on grass and they were probably about equal on hard courts.
But Sampras was something else.
@@Gizo02 indeed. Ultimately, tennis comes down to matchups, and Agassi’s game was a terrible matchup for Becker’s, whereas Lendl’s was a perfect fit. I’d put Connors Agassi, Lendl, and McEnroe on the same tier, but as you said yourself: Sampras was something else