I will tend throughout to more modern era players largely because they will have tended to be simply the best if you try to compare them near their best with players from much further back near their best.
I know we talking about very different eras and circumstances but I have difficulty in fully imagining how yesterday year players would have adapted to the professionalism and equipment of a more modern age.
So I more fall back on the fact that I think Kim playing as she did near her best would simply have tonked say Margaret Court as she was.
I will tend throughout to more modern era players largely because they will have tended to be simply the best if you try to compare them near their best with players from much further back near their best.
I know we talking about very different eras and circumstances but I have difficulty in fully imagining how yesterday year players would have adapted to the professionalism and equipment of a more modern age.
So I more fall back on the fact that I think Kim playing as she did near her best would simply have tonked say Margaret Court as she was.
My choice was Clijsters vs Barty and Wozniacki.
Does that not work both ways, can you imagine many of todays monochrome, same style players trying to play with the wooden racquets, on the grass and with less fitness training etc back in say 1950?
I actually find it easier to see players like Graf, Seles, Navratilova, Evert, Austin, Court, Connolly, Goolagong, fitting in very well and being right at the top of todays game - I'd put big money on Seles comfortably beating Kerber for example (choosing an example from one of the other groups, as I know you voted for Kerber - really?!)
I voted for Margaret Court - as has been pointed out for her record in the sixties and seventies and not for comments she has made more latterly.
I believe Louise Brough was very highly rated in the 1950s but dont know much about her. For me the only other true contender here perhaps would be Clijsters.
I will tend throughout to more modern era players largely because they will have tended to be simply the best if you try to compare them near their best with players from much further back near their best.
I know we talking about very different eras and circumstances but I have difficulty in fully imagining how yesterday year players would have adapted to the professionalism and equipment of a more modern age.
So I more fall back on the fact that I think Kim playing as she did near her best would simply have tonked say Margaret Court as she was.
My choice was Clijsters vs Barty and Wozniacki.
Does that not work both ways, can you imagine many of todays monochrome, same style players trying to play with the wooden racquets, on the grass and with less fitness training etc back in say 1950?
I actually find it easier to see players like Graf, Seles, Navratilova, Evert, Austin, Court, Connolly, Goolagong, fitting in very well and being right at the top of todays game - I'd put big money on Seles comfortably beating Kerber for example (choosing an example from one of the other groups, as I know you voted for Kerber - really?!)
I personally don't even try to put more modern players back into a much earlier age. I largely just go by the fact that IMO the best tennis I have seen is from more modern times and so that is where I more look to for my choice of best players. For me, generally fitter and just better.
I think the top players of previous eras would have done well with present day equipment and fitness regime. Even if you watch the likes of Steffi Graf from not too long ago she looks slow by todays standards.That's probably because the players hit the ball so much harder. But I think Steffi was fit and would have done well if she'd played today. Whatever you think about her post tennis life , Margaret Smith/Court was very fit and also had a lot of fighting spirit. i.e she would not lose a set 6-0. Not in this poll but Virginia Wade was very fit.
I voted for Margaret Court - as has been pointed out for her record in the sixties and seventies and not for comments she has made more latterly.
I believe Louise Brough was very highly rated in the 1950s but dont know much about her. For me the only other true contender here perhaps would be Clijsters.
Louise Brough was a top American from the 40's to the mid 50's. She won Wimbledon 4 times and the US and Australian Championships each once. She might have won more championships had it not been for Maureen Connolly. When she died in 2014, I remember listening to an appreciation of her career by Billie-Jean King on BBC Radio 4.
For me this is the only clear cut group, I voted for Margaret Court - no comments on the person, just felt her career stood out!
Hi Jon, I would agree with you there as she won all the majors in the same year which was difficult in any era and the most majors in her career..
Yes maybe, but I can't fully separate the one from the other, especially as she played with Billie Jean King. So great she may have been as a tennis player, but greatest involves for me their attitude as well as their performances on the court, so there is no way I could vote for her now.
Margaret Court was so far ahead of her time it is untrue. The first player to use weights and bulk up - way too powerful and strong for all the other players around at the time. I can't believe anyone would think that translate Court to the modern era and she would have been beaten by Kim Clijsters. Margaret Court at her peak versus Serena Williams at her peak, then I'm going with Serena, and Martina Navratilova at her peak, would have given her a good game, especially on grass.
I do know and remember that these overlapped, but when they did, Margaret Court was very much a fading star and Martina a rising one. I know times and players improve, but I think you have to look at Court's record; her Grand Slam win percentage that stands way better than anyone else, the record amount of Grand Slam titles and the way that she dominated the game at her peak, in the way that no-one before or after has done, and then you realise how good she actually was. If I get some time not working, I may bring in some stats to illustrate what I am saying; sadly I am working most of the time, so little chance to argue my case, and with a rushed e-mail, my intention isn't to slag off anyone; I just think people are either too young to remember her, or haven't looked at her stats.
I see the arguments and pretty much know the stats, Andy, but Margaret Court is just not my choice here. .
Personally when there is what I consider such a difference in standard between the eras I cannot ( I don't really try to ) imagine how the players might have performed in a much later era.
I think I can try and tranlate to an extent just going back to say Graf and Seles but Court, King, Goolagong and earlier too much translation required for me, Phenomenal record though Margaret Court had, Clijsters' actual performances were enough ahead for me.
-- Edited by indiana on Monday 25th of May 2020 03:17:34 PM
Group One poll closes, and the following progress:
Kim Clijsters
Margaret Court and
Angela Mortimer
Mortimer is the biggest surprise to me there, I need to read more of her career for the semis!
Brough, Barty, Austin, Wozniacki and Capriati all fall, probably no major surprise there although i personally expected Louise Brough over Angela Mortimer
Group One poll closes, and the following progress:
Kim Clijsters Margaret Court and Angela Mortimer
Mortimer is the biggest surprise to me there, I need to read more of her career for the semis!
Brough, Barty, Austin, Wozniacki and Capriati all fall, probably no major surprise there although i personally expected Louise Brough over Angela Mortimer
Angela Mortimer had a fine record and perhaps people are more familiar with her name than Louise Brough. She came as close to winning the 4 Grand Slams as any British woman. She won Australia in 1958, French in 1955 and Wimbledon 1961. She was also runner-up at the French in 1956 and unseeded runner up at Wimbledon 1958. She was a semi finalist at the 1961 US Championship losing to Ann Jones. I doubt whether we will ever see another all British ladies Grand Slam singles semi final. The last was Jones v. Wade at the US Open 1968. In partnership with Anne Shil**** she won the ladies doubles at Wimbledon in 1955 in an all British final against Shirley Brasher and Pat Ward.
I notice Angela's partner has had the last 4 letters of her surname obliterated You'll have to guess what they were. She became Mrs Spann on marriage.
-- Edited by ROSAMUND on Monday 25th of May 2020 07:35:55 PM
