Amazing how good Monica already was at 15, and even more impressive the improvements she made from here to the 1990 FO which she won just 9 months later!
She was incredible. The truth of the matter is she wasn't allowed to get to her peak. Looking at the trajectory of players like Serena and Steffi Graf, they got to their peak after playing about 3 or 4 years of grand slam tournament. Steffi played her 1st in 1984, and peaked in 1988 onwards. Serena played her first in 1998 and peaked from 2002 onwards. Monica played her first in 1989, and was likely to peak around 1993-1994, but she was stabbed. All she achieved in the early 90s wasn't peak Seles. She was around 16-19 years old. She was still inexperienced and was still improving. Her serve in the 1993 Australia open finals was far better than the 1990 French Open finals. I am a big Serena fan, yet I believe Monica should be in the Conversation for greatest of all time. Her influence on women's tennis cannot be described by words.
Notice those times when Monica just was not quite in position with her footwork, or stroke extension when she hits the ball.. Often it was Evert's sidespin that drew those errors. Sidespin is just not something Seles would have met much in junior matches or on the tour. Its sort of a relic from Chrissies wood racket days where the slightest misjudgement with that smaller sweet spot leads to an error. Even more effective on carpet or hard courts when one is less mentally and physically prepared for 'bad' or wierd bounces you get on clay or grass, or with younger players who simply have not experienced it. There is not much that Evert does out there that is remotely unintentional and every stroke is part of a plan. Evert is always playing chess as well as tennis.
This was how Chris Evert played EVERY match of her career in her many peak years. Winningest % in the history of pro tennis, men or women-90%. And, no, Margaret Court’s percentage does not count. Her “open” Grand Slams count, but non-certified events long before the establishment of a regulated tour most certainly do not count. The Great Monica was still quite young here, and had beaten the aging Chris in a tough three-set match on clay in Houston, in Spring of ‘89, but Evert was old and patchy at the very end. On this day, Monica ran into a Chris Evert playing at her usual level of excellence.
Amazing how good Monica already was at 15, and even more impressive the improvements she made from here to the 1990 FO which she won just 9 months later!
She was incredible. The truth of the matter is she wasn't allowed to get to her peak. Looking at the trajectory of players like Serena and Steffi Graf, they got to their peak after playing about 3 or 4 years of grand slam tournament. Steffi played her 1st in 1984, and peaked in 1988 onwards. Serena played her first in 1998 and peaked from 2002 onwards. Monica played her first in 1989, and was likely to peak around 1993-1994, but she was stabbed. All she achieved in the early 90s wasn't peak Seles. She was around 16-19 years old. She was still inexperienced and was still improving. Her serve in the 1993 Australia open finals was far better than the 1990 French Open finals. I am a big Serena fan, yet I believe Monica should be in the Conversation for greatest of all time. Her influence on women's tennis cannot be described by words.
My Favorite Top 2 Womens Players of ALL TIME.
Asked about Chris' retirement, Monica said that she was glad that she didn't have to play her again.
Notice those times when Monica just was not quite in position with her footwork, or stroke extension when she hits the ball.. Often it was Evert's sidespin that drew those errors. Sidespin is just not something Seles would have met much in junior matches or on the tour. Its sort of a relic from Chrissies wood racket days where the slightest misjudgement with that smaller sweet spot leads to an error. Even more effective on carpet or hard courts when one is less mentally and physically prepared for 'bad' or wierd bounces you get on clay or grass, or with younger players who simply have not experienced it. There is not much that Evert does out there that is remotely unintentional and every stroke is part of a plan. Evert is always playing chess as well as tennis.
This was how Chris Evert played EVERY match of her career in her many peak years. Winningest % in the history of pro tennis, men or women-90%. And, no, Margaret Court’s percentage does not count. Her “open” Grand Slams count, but non-certified events long before the establishment of a regulated tour most certainly do not count.
The Great Monica was still quite young here, and had beaten the aging Chris in a tough three-set match on clay in Houston, in Spring of ‘89, but Evert was old and patchy at the very end. On this day, Monica ran into a Chris Evert playing at her usual level of excellence.
12:40 its not easy to be able to out moonball and rally with Chris! Monica is so special.