A look at the best players never to win the US Open

With the US Open fast approaching, it would be interesting to take a look at some of the best players who never managed to lift the trophy at one of the toughest tournaments in the world.

In the opinion of many, fans and experts alike, the US Open is probably the toughest of the Grand Slam tournaments to win.  The surface is unforgiving and the weather can be hot and humid in New York in early September.  The crowd atmosphere is often raucous and many night matches finish in the early hours of the morning.

The most difficult thing for the players has been the schedule. For many years, the semifinals of the men's event took place on the second Saturday with the final the following day.  Depending on how the semis turned out, one of the finalists often had less than 24 hours to prepare for the final. Meanwhile, the womens final was sandwiched between two mens semifinals up to the mid 1990s.

These factors have made it a very difficult tournament to win.


Bjorn Borg

Probably the most famous player never to win the US Open, Bjorn actually got to the final four times, losing to Jimmy Connors in 1976 and 1978, and then John McEnroe in 1980 and 1981.  Bjorn took McEnroe to five sets in 1980, the closest he got to winning the tournament.  It was a pretty good effort to get to four finals, and perhaps unlucky to get two home players there.  Borg lost the 1976 final to Jimmy Connors on green clay, and then the other finals on hard court.

This is speculation, but I've heard that Bjorn was not a big fan of the hard courts or playing under the lights at the US Open; many of the finals finishing at night fall.

Yvonne Goolagong

Yvonne Goolagong was a very elegant player who had a great career and is considered one of the great female Tennis players of the Open era.  Yvonne won Wimbledon twice in 1971 and in 1980 as a mother (a feat since emulated by Kim Clijsters at the US Open) and the Australian four times from 1974 to 1977.   Yvonne also won the French Open / Wimbledon double in 1971defeating Helen Gourlay Cawley and Margaret Court respectively.

Yvonne, however, made it to four finals in a row at the US Open from 1973 to 1976 but was not able to win any of them.  In 1973 Yvonne lost to Margaret Court in 3 sets.  In 1974 and 1975 Goolagong lost to Billie Jean King and Chris Evert respectively in 3 sets  in 1976 Yvonne lost to Chris Evert again and this time on green clay quite comprehensively 6-3 6-0.
This puts Goolagong up there with Bjorn Borg as probably the best female player never to win the event.


Jim Courier

Jim Courier won four Grand Slam titles in his career and played in all four Grand Slam finals from 1991 to 1993.  Jim’s best surface was probably hard courts, but he won two titles at the French Open and two titles at the Australian Open on rebound ace.  The slower, high-bouncing rebound ace suited Jim’s game and he defeated Edberg in two finals there in 1992 and 1993, each time in four sets.

Courier lost to Edberg in the 1991 US Open final in straight sets, Edberg played the best match of his career that day.  Jim also lost to Pete Sampras in the semifinals of the US Open in 1992 and 1995, each time in four sets.   Jim didn’t particularly have any weakness on hard courts, but his biggest downfall was probably his relative lack of movement on the surface even though it was considered a medium-fast surface, certainly not as fast as it became when Arthur Ashe Stadium Court opened in 1997.

That relative lack of movement meant that Jim was more vulnerable against the very top players.  Jim’s extreme grips also made him more vulnerable as the best players targeted his forehand on return of serve to open up the court often to take advantage of his relative lack of movement.  So in the end, the high-bouncing rebound ace courts suited Jim more than the medium-fast courts of the US Open where kick serves are very effective but the ball shoots through more during rallies.


Jennifer Capriati

Winning the US Open was a holy grail for Jennifer, as it was her hometown tournament in many ways.  Unfortunately Jennifer never got past the semifinals, but those semis were very memorable!

Capriati lost an incredible semifinal to Monica Seles in 1991 in a third set tiebreak which at that time represented the future of women's tennis, with both players hitting the ball like there was no tomorrow.  Jennifer served for the match twice but still lost.  After an absence of 10 years, Jennifer came back strong in 2001 and appeared in the semifinals again, this time losing a highly-charged match to Venus Williams.

In 2003, Jennifer lost yet another dramatic semifinal to Justine Henin, who seemed absolutely out on her feet in the third set with Jennifer again serving for the match twice and then losing a third set tiebreak.

To cap it all off, Jennifer lost again in 2004, this time to Elena Dementieva in a third set tiebreak.  Jennifer served for the match but couldn’t finish it off.  This match was especially frustrating for Jennifer as Elena was going through one of her can’t serve properly modes, but somehow came out on the other side with a win!

Even though Jennifer never got to a US Open final, her semifinals will be talked about for decades.


Amelie Mauresmo

Amelie had all of the physical attributes to win the US Open.  She was a powerful, athletic player who liked to get forward and had fantastic touch at net and a great one-hand backhand which she could hit down the line to stretch her opponents and take to the net.  Amelie was also an excellent serve-and-volleyer who was successful at Wimbledon; a tactic that worked well on hard courts during that era.

Despite these attributes, Amelie got to two semifinals, losing to Venus Williams in 2002, and in 2006, losing a bizarre match to Sharapova 0:6, 6:4, 0:6! Amelie didn’t seem to be able to make the transition to US Open Champion.  One can argue that there were too many obstacles in the way of winning the US Open, mainly Venus and Serena Williams, Henin, Clisjters, and Sharapova. 

Amelie also had technical issues with her forehand.  Due to the extreme grip, Amelie found it difficult to make penetrating drives with her forehand on hard courts, the ball often dropping short and sitting up, making her vulnerable to big-hitting players.  In North America, Amelie won the Rogers Cup in Canada a couple of times, where the courts appear slower and higher-bouncing.  Amelie, like Jim Courier, did better on rebound ace, getting to the final of the Australian Open in 1999 and winning in 2006.

Ironically, despite the extreme grip on her forehand, Amelie was an excellent and instinctive volleyer, and was able to change grips with ease to volley - very unusual for a player with an extreme grip.



Elena Dementieva

Not only is Elena Dementieva one of the best players never to win the US Open, she’s also one of the best players never to win a major title.

Elena got to the final in 2004, losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova after her amazing semifinal win over Jennifer Capriati, which was mentioned earlier.  Elena got to the semifinal the next year, playing much better, but losing out to Mary Pierce after winning the first set.  Elena would get to semifinal again in 2008, but lost surprisingly tamely to Jelena Jankovic.  It should also be noted that Elena got to the semifinal as an 18-year-old in 2000, losing to Lindsay Davenport.

It's well chronicled how Elena’s serve had technical breakdowns at the slightest hint of scoreboard pressure, a pity because she had a great game and was extremely athletic.  Elena’s fast flat strokes and taking the ball early were ideal for hard courts.  However, Elena also had issues about when and how often she was prepared to get to net to finish off points, putting herself under unnecessary pressure often in rallies.

But by far, Elena’s biggest problem was her serve, preventing her from reaching her potential at the US Open.  She often beat the top players in Tier One finals and lead-up tournaments before the majors, only to come up short in the latter stages of major tournaments.

Other notable players not to win the US Open include Micheal Chang, Mary Pierce and Helena Sukova who played in two finals in 1986 and 1993. 

2001 Wimbledon - Best Championship of the Open Era

2001 Wimbledon has gone down as one of the greatest championships in the Open era and Grand Slam history. 

There was great drama throughout, and great weather up until semifinals day, when the tension reached unbearable levels, climaxing with the incredible and unprecedented “people’s final” which took place on the 3rd Monday.  The final between Goran Ivanisevic and Pat Rafter will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it, watched it on television or listened to it on the radio.

What set up this particular Wimbledon to be one of the greatest tournaments was the dramatic defeat of Pete Sampras by Roger Federer in the 4th round on the 2nd Monday.  Sampras went into the event without a tournament win for a year, but was still defending champion and number 1 seed.  It was an almighty close battle which Federer edged 7:5 in the fifth set.

The defeat was hugely significant because it gave the remaining players a lift that they had a chance to win Wimbledon.  It also gave the tennis community a lift because Wimbledon would get a new winner as Sampras had dominated the field so severely.

Tim Henman battled past Todd Martin over five sets and two days to make the quarterfinal.  Henman’s reward was to play Roger Federer, a huge relief for Henman not to play Sampras, a man he never beat at Wimbledon in three tries including semifinals in 1998 and 1999.  Henman beat Federer in four sets, dropping the 3rd set.  Andre Agassi beat talented French shotmaker Nicholas Escude and Ivanisevic went past Marat Safin in four sets.

We were left with a great semifinal line up for the 4th year in a row; the big difference this time being no Sampras involved.  Rafter would play Agassi and Henman would play Ivanisevic, four players Sampras beat in semifinals and finals the previous three years.  As Pat Cash put so well in the BBC commentary, these guys were absolutely desperate to win Wimbledon, and we were about to get three amazing five set matches in a row.

The first semi between Rafter and Agassi was a repeat of their 2000 encounter and their third in a row as they also met in the 1999 semifinal.  This time the weather was red hot and the drama was incredible, the tennis was not quite of the standard of the previous year but there was definitely more tension with the prize at stake (not having to play Sampras in the final!).

Agassi came out stronger taking the first set 6:2, with stunning returns and passing shots; and stunning tactics, continually lobbing Rafter to get him off the net, then passing him when Rafter was weary of closing too tight to the net.  The type of tennis we don’t see today as no player is brave or foolhardy enough to charge the net.  

However, Rafter’s character, will to win and smart tactics of his own saw him claim the 2nd set.  Agassi won the 3rd and looked like the final was his for the taking but then made some uncharacteristic errors as Rafter took the 4th set using the classic tactic of slice and topspin to disrupt Agassi’s rthythm in some lovely baseline exchanges.  Agassi went up a break in the 5th set and even served for the match, but Rafter broke back with the chip and charge ploy, unsettling Agassi. Rafter then took the match 8:6 when Agassi got broken with a topspin backhand passing shot.

Pat Cash was right, both men were desperate to win, and we knew the match between Ivanisevic and Henman would be just as tight.  Ivanisevic took the 1st set but Henman came roaring back taking the 2nd and 3rd sets, the 3rd being an incredible 6:0 rout with Ivanisevic visibly mentally shaken. But then the heavens opened, hours after it was predicted to, it was 7:30pm and Henman would have had more than enough time to finish the job in 4 sets.

 

On Saturday, the womens final should have been played between Venus Williams and Justine Henin.  But Henman and Ivanisevic played just one and a half sets throughout the course of the whole day and had to come back on the Sunday to finish the match.  Henman would get to play on the Sunday, but not the final.  The match reconvened at midday and serving at 4:4 in the 5th set, Henman got broken leaving to Ivanisevic serve out the match, a remarkable match played over three days of unbearable tension for the British public.  

The deal was to play the womens final on the Sunday and the mens final would be played on the Monday.  The womens final turned out to be excellent value with Venus defeating a very talented but green Henin in three sets.  But the real fun was to take place the next day, the Wimbledon Committee announced that tickets were to be sold on a first come first served basis, consequently we were to see a tennis crowd we will probably never see again at Wimbledon especially in a final.  The crowd was a mixture of Australian fans with flags, painted faces and plastic kangaroos, whilst the rest of the crowd comprised young Croats and young Brits who were supporting Ivanisevic.

The crowd were absolutely amazing, loud, chanting, good natured, it was the like the best Davis cup atmosphere between nations, maybe even better considering it was  Wimbledon.  The match couldn’t help but live up to expectations, both players were keyed up from the very first point and it was inevitable it would be a five set thriller.  The points were short but the skill, bravery, endurance, power and touch were there from both guys, even acrobatics by Rafter as in combat!  Ivanisevic broke early to take the first set, Rafter stormed back to take the 2nd, Ivanisevic, the 3rd, Rafter broke twice to take the 4th; Ivanisevic lost his head exactly where Agassi did in the semifinal.

So here we were again with another 5th set and the crowd going crazy.  After a glut of break points for both throughout the set, Ivanisevic was finally able to break at 7:7 with some great backhand returns which Rafter couldn’t deal with, a combination of Rafter’s kick serve not being as effective and Ivanisevic’s great two hand return, the slightly taller man taking the ball early before it kicked too high, banging it back past Rafter when it really mattered.  After squandering three match points, Ivanisevic finally took the fourth on a 2nd serve which Rafter put into the net with a forehand. 

In the presentation, Ivanisevic thanked the All England Club for giving him a wild card, while Rafter and his coach Tony Roche were choked with emotion but still gave a very dignified interview to Sue Barker on the court.

Looking back, it seems strange to think that Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter and Tim Henman would never get another opportunity to win Wimbledon.  In fact, it’s incredible someone of Rafter’s talent on grass never won Wimbledon, being shut out in two finals by Sampras and then Ivanisevic.  Maybe these guys knew something we didn’t at that time, they gave so much to win Wimbledon that year, they seemed to have nothing left for the rest of their Wimbledon careers.  Ivanisevic was fulfilled and due to shoulder trouble didn’t play until 2004 for one last hurrah, whilst Rafter took a sabbatical for a year after losing at the US Open to Sampras (who else) and then announced his retirement a year later at the age of only 29.  Henman would make the semifinal in 2002 but lost comprehensively to Lleyton Hewitt.

It would be nice if the All England Club can give us a middle Sunday in future with tickets sold exclusively on a first come, first served basis.

 

 

Questions and Answers with Jo Wilfried Tsonga

Jo Wilfried Tsonga is one of the more talented players in the ATP top 10.  He plays a brand of tennis fans love to watch, particularly on the grass at Queens and Wimbledon.

Recently Tsonga employed a full time coach for the first time in over a year.   His choice of coach was Australian Roger Rasheed, a man who has worked with Lleyton Hewitt and Gael Monfils and is considered to be a tough coach, one who works his pupils hard.  So it is an interesting choice for Tsonga at this stage of his career.

That’s because Tsonga has suddenly reached middle age in tennis terms, teetering on veteran status.  At the age of 28, there are not that many years left to be had in the top 10, and now would be as good a time as any to try to win a maiden grand slam title. 

Tsonga’s final appearance in the 2008 Australian Open showed what he is capable of as an attacking force.  Injuries and inconsistency have slowed Tsonga down slightly, and he had to make the choice of switching from a classic all court Wilson racquet to a more modern Babolat Aero ProDrive, which is easier on the limbs.  The racquet switch has allowed Tsonga to remain relatively injury free over the last two years.

With that in mind, I think it is a very positive move to hire Roger Rasheed as coach.  Like Murray’s appointment of Lendl, Tsonga has shown that he is prepared to put in the hard work to attempt to take his game to the next level.  Rasheed’s task is to help Tsonga develop a reliable game plan and strategies on court, and to stick to them, allowing for flashy shots only when it is warranted.  But also to get to a level of fitness that will allow him to stay with the likes of Murray and Djokovic on the slower surfaces we have today.  Maintaining a high level of fitness and sticking to a game plan will hopefully allow Tsonga a better chance to use his big weapons to winning effect.

But we also have to remember that Tsonga is part of a tradition of stylish French players of past and present.  A lot of people would have loved to see how Tsonga’s game matched up in the previous era of attacking players.  But what would be even better is seeing Tsonga win a major tournament playing a hybrid brand of attacking tennis; last year at Wimbledon Tsonga and Mardy Fish played one of the most enjoyable matches I’ve seen live for some time, with both players regularly serve and volleying on 1st serve and staying back on 2nd serve.  As I mentioned in a previous article in July 2011, that could help inspire a whole new generation of players who want to challenge the current counterpunching style of tennis.

I managed to correspond with Tsonga during the last week while he was playing in Madrid.  I was able to ask some questions about his game and his opinion on where the game is today; fans are always interested to know what top players think about their own game and where the game of tennis heading:

1. You have recently started working with new coach Roger Rasheed; you have been playing without a full time coach for a couple of years.  What persuaded you to hire a new coach and Roger Rasheed in particular?

I liked my freedom but realized that I needed some outside help to work on some aspects of my game.  In order to improve I had to hire a new coach that I could trust and develop new parts of my game.

2.    Roger Rasheed has a reputation for being a tough working coach.  How do you think those qualities can help in your game?

He is a tough worker but I am practicing with a lot of intensity which is what is needed now to practice well and not waste any time.  Roger helps on and off the court and am already reaping the benefits of our work.

  

3.    Which areas of your game do you think are working well right now, and what do you think can be improved?

I can improve lots of part of my game but my backhand is probably a good area to work on in order to improve.  I am also trying to be more patient on the court and wait for the good opportunity when I am playing.

4.    There is a lot of discussion that surfaces are too slow right now, especially with the prevalence of hardcourts and the disappearance of indoor carpet from the tour. As a top 10 player, do you think surface speeds are ok or would you like to see some faster surfaces on the tour more often to help attacking tennis?

The question is more complex than just speed, you could add balls, playing conditions, scheduling to the list.  As far as speed goes we see changes throughout the year but it has been noticed that in recent years we've come back to slightly slower conditions.

5.    You are a big fan favourite at Wimbledon; fans love to watch your style of play, improvisation and Boris Becker diving! I think you are capable of winning Wimbledon before your career is over, how do you see your chances at Wimbledon this year?

As always I enjoy playing at Wimbledon for everything the tournament represents.  Once again I will play my hardest to go one step further and try to reach the final.  I have had great memories there but I am looking to built up on my previous experiences.

  

6.    From the previous generations, which players inspired you the most? Which players would you have liked to play?

There were a few players that I looked up to.  I first got into following tennis with the Davis Cup final between Sweden and France when Arnaud Boetsch save match point to win the decisive tie.  I have been a fan of Pat Rafter as well.

  

7.    The French have produced an incredible amount of players who play well on grass, the athleticism required and improvisation suit the French style.  Players like Tauziat, Mauresmo, Forget, Pioline, Gasquet, Grosjean, Mahut and yourself.  I do not know of many grass courts in France so why do French players play so well on grass in your opinion?

This is a good question, worth inquiring with the technical directors at the French Tennis Federation.  I have always liked grass because I have the weapon to allow me to move forward and with my size I know it takes a great passing shot to put me down! 

  

8.    Do you think attacking tennis can make a comeback in future?  Not in terms of hitting the ball hard but transition play, coming to net, serving and volleying on 1st serves on a regular basis, is there a future for attacking tennis?

I hope so as I like to see some inspired play from up and coming players.  Attacking the ball and coming to the net has always been fascinating to me.  The era of the Becker, Sampras and a few others was truly fun to watch.  I am not saying it is now boring but the game shifted to a stance of baseline power hitter, which I would include myself in.  I do like to come to the net, serve and volley and would recommend it!