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In particular, see Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario. There's plenty to choose from -- she was six times in the finals at Roland Garros between 1989 and 1998, winning three of them. Watch her speed, guile, court craft and above all, her indomitable spirit. You'll see why she was one of the most popular players ever to grace the courts, and she wrote the book on retrieving. I cannot understand why so few seem to remember her in debates about the past. After all, only Graf, Evert, Navratilova and Wade won more career matches.
Also, see how Martina Navratilova brought serve-and-volley to the clay courts; her physical presence, those strategic slices as a precursor to a net assault.
See the might of Graf's forehand, her gazelle-like speed, and, contrary to popular belief, the accomplished topspin backhand she possessed at critical moments. In particular, watch the 1996 French final (an epic in which she ground out Sanchez 10-8 in the final set, after over three hours) and her first, in 1987, when she proved herself as the world no.1 in winning her first grandslam title.
Watch not only the greatest clay court player of all time, but she with the best passing shots in the history of women's tennis - Chris Evert. Some of those were just breathtaking.
And last but not least, watch the caged monster that was Monica Seles in her prime.
I'm sorry....but watching these clips just confirms to me that the game on the women's side has not advanced, but has actually receded.
In particular, see Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario. There's plenty to choose from -- she was six times in the finals at Roland Garros between 1989 and 1998, winning three of them. Watch her speed, guile, court craft and above all, her indomitable spirit. You'll see why she was one of the most popular players ever to grace the courts, and she wrote the book on retrieving. I cannot understand why so few seem to remember her in debates about the past. After all, only Graf, Evert, Navratilova and Wade won more career matches.
Also, see how Martina Navratilova brought serve-and-volley to the clay courts; her physical presence, those strategic slices as a precursor to a net assault.
See the might of Graf's forehand, her gazelle-like speed, and, contrary to popular belief, the accomplished topspin backhand she possessed at critical moments. In particular, watch the 1996 French final (an epic in which she ground out Sanchez 10-8 in the final set, after over three hours) and her first, in 1987, when she proved herself as the world no.1 in winning her first grandslam title.
Watch not only the greatest clay court player of all time, but she with the best passing shots in the history of women's tennis - Chris Evert. Some of those were just breathtaking.
And last but not least, watch the caged monster that was Monica Seles in her prime.
I'm sorry....but watching these clips just confirms to me that the game on the women's side has not advanced, but has actually receded.
