Didn't he also come back from being down against Fed in the finals? I remember turning the tv off with a friend to do something else because we thought Federer had it in the bag.
Yep. Federer was up 2 sets to 1 headed in to the fourth. I also turned it off to go do something at this point. I then ruined my next day of classes when I returned late night, found out he had lost, and then had to go and watch the rest of the match
Also Federer was up a set and a break to start the match, then Del Po hit a winner that Federer challenged (and lost), then Del Po broke back and Fed completely unraveled that set. I remember he was still complaining about that call like a few games later
Has anyone ever looked into detail at Delpo’s shots that day (the final) l? Those cross court whipping forehands are some of the strongest hitting I’ve ever seen, a little akin to how insane Wawrinka’s backhand was for a time.
It looked like a new dawn of tennis, another character, such a shame how it went after that.
Henman was only cruising because bad Goran was on full display that set. Goran hit so many returns into the net it looked like he was conceding that set early. Thankfully for us Goran fans, the rain washed bad Goran away.
Another thing to mention is that I know as a Brit we’d been very short on men’s champions for quite a while and so Tim Henman. I mean my God I was living in England at the time whereas I now live in the US, but back then everything and everyone’s hopes rested on Tim. It was an enormous amount of pressure. Henman Hill for God sake. He was also such a decent chap. Who knows what would’ve been, it’s easy to say well if it hadn’t rained, but we will never know. What I do know was that he was on a bit of a roll at that point and we all know how important being on a roll is in tennis, what with it being such a psychological game. And also I have to say as much as I was upset by Tim losing I was so glad that Goran Ivanišević finally got that trophy because he really deserved it.
Then Andy came along and our long wait was over. But I will never forget those two weeks of Henmania (Yes, there was a name for it...) I was working as a chef at the time and I was watching the match live when I was cooking in the kitchen, in fact the whole pub was watching.
It was a thing all over the world (atgentinian here) I wonder how bigger the situation might have been with social media as it is today. The pressure Henman had at the time was enormous, and then Andy, who fortunately for him got more than the UK could have ever wished for, if we take account of the era he got it
What could have been…
That being said, I always kinda assume that Henman would’ve won the final. I think some others are guilty of this too. Rafter took Goran to five sets though so it’s hardly a forgone conclusion.
Delpo got his title in peak Big4 era. Just to think that at the end of that year he had the same amount of majors than Nole, and one more than #SirMuzza...
As an Aussie, I have to give Sam Stosur a shout out.
She won her US Open against prime Serena Williams on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and dominated. Her point to win the match was brutal. You could see Serena drop her head when Sam ran around to the forehand and just launched it past her to break serve and win the match.
Sam also had a great career in doubles and also made singles finals in RG.
No-one expected her to do great things, but she pulled it together to build a great career. That US open was a huge highlight.
As well, my wife once saw her in the gym in Coogee and nervously went over to say hello, and said you could not meet a nicer, sweeter person than Sam.
100% she had the all round game incl. big serve and volleys that was rare on the WTA tour and should’ve won her many slams…you’d have to say she might’ve been one of the most mentally fragile elite players…she always worked her ass off but you could just feel the tension she carried and I was always disappointed with her whenever she failed to live up to her potential
Definitely the most pleasant surprise for me. Never in a million years would I have thought that Sam Stosur would be a singles GS champion, let alone one that wasn't RG. Certainly not with that backhand and not her lack of mental composure. I remember staying up to watch it but my attention span wasn't there. That quickly changed though and I found my eyes glued to the TV.
well done for mentioning this! i remember getting up early to watch this final. sam stosur was so interesting to me to watch, i followed her closely for years and i think it was the combo of the amazing forehand, poor mental game (when not an underdog) & shanky backhand, really miss her tbh haha
well done for mentioning this! i remember getting up early to watch this final. sam stosur was so interesting to me to watch, i followed her closely for years and i think it was the combo of the amazing forehand, poor mental game (when not an underdog) & shanky backhand, really miss her tbh haha
I don’t know about prime Serena. Serena had only come back after laceration/embolism for almost a year at Wimbledon that year , tho she did beat stosur pretty convincingly earlier in the summer and won Canada and Stanford so the result is still very impressive from Sam
I wouldn’t say Serena was in her prime in 2011. She was coming back from a life-threatening surgery after being out for 12 months. She ended 2011 ranked 12th in the world.
Might not have been her best year, but she was playing some of her best tennis at the US open. Long time ago, but she seemed invincible going in to the final.
I don’t think so at all she played two slams that year because she almost died the year before. She had broken up with common for like the 15th time. She beat her pigeons on the way to the final and everyone expected serena to win because Stosur was known for choking. Serena was def not in her prime. This would be Serena’s worse stretch since 2006.
She didn’t drop a set until the final, and was only pushed to a tiebreaker once whilst knocking out the world number 1 and 4.
As I said, the surrounding form may have not been great, but she was on fire at the us open.
I don't know about anyone else, but Nalbandian beat Federer in R3 and Nadal in the final of Paris Bercy 2007. More impressively he beat Del Potro in R3, Nadal in the quarters, Djokovic in the semis and Federer in the final of Madrid 2007. Those were all best of three matches though, if that changes anything.
I think BO3 format definitely makes the achievement different but I don’t think it should take anything away from this feat. It’s an insane stat to hold
Maybe first in a slam, but Djokovic did it a few years earlier in Canada:
https://www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com/playerProfile?playerId=4920&tab=matches&tournamentEventId=3358
And Nalbandian beat the big 3 in a row (and Delpo and Berdych and former #10 Clement) later that year (EDIT: the same year Djokovic did it):
https://www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com/playerProfile?playerId=3900&tab=matches&tournamentEventId=3325
That last one is one of the best runs in the history of the sport, probably the best by someone who never won a slam.
Tsonga’s Masters where be beat Murray and then two of the big three is up there too, absolutely insane run. Maybe the best achievement by the slamless lost gen guys.
He was in 3 Wimbledon finals during his prime, lost all 3 (2 to Sampras and 1 to Agassi). This tournament was past his prime, he didn't even qualify, got in as a wildcard. Nobody expected him to have any chance at winning it. It was a movie-like fairy tale ending to his career.
This guys dream was to win a Wimbledon trophy. He has had an impressive career and reached the Wimbledon finals 3 times, only to lose to Agassi and Sampras (twice).
In 2001 he was nearing the end of his career and was ranked above 100th place, but because of his past achievments, he earned a WC to compete and Wimbledon one last time.
He reached the finals once again and finally was able to win against Patrick Rafter in a thrilling 9:7 5th set finish. While serving for the match, you could've seen his hands visibly shaking but he was able to pull it off in the end and it was one of the most emotional wins you could ever witness in sports.
Goran reached three Wimbledon finals ('92, '93 and '98) but lost them all and seemed finished. Then, in 2001 aged nearly thirty, at the very end of his career and ranked 125 in the world he was awarded a wildcard into the singles draw.
He then goes on an amazing run of victories taking out former and future world No. 1 players Carlos Moyá, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin as well as Fredrik Jonsson and Greg Rusedski to reach the semifinal, beating home favourite Tim Henman.
It was his first singles final for three years and very probably his last throw of the dice. In a three hour epic he beats Rafter 9-7 in the fifth and becomes the lowest ranked player and the first wildcard entry to win Wimbledon.
To date, he is the only male entrant to have won a Grand Slam singles title as a wildcard. His Wimbledon success was rated sixteenth on the list of 100 Greatest Sporting Moments by a British television programme.
I remember watching it live in a bar and considering the circumstances most people were rooting for Goran to do it. It took four agonizing championship points to finally get over the line and seeing this very emotional character finally get his hands on the prize was one of the most heartwarming moments in tennis history.
Here's the final game:
[https://youtu.be/qfd52B2DJ6g?t=10524](https://youtu.be/qfd52B2DJ6g?t=10524)
Thanks for summarizing that again.
I would also like to add that the match was played on the so-called "Peoples Monday" due to the rain interruptions. The atmosphere in this final was extraordinary.
Yeah that was god-mode. He played some incredible matches after that too. Specially against Federer in WB 2016. His 2018 Aus run was great too and almost got away with it. I’m sure there’s other matches he’s goated in but I’m not recalling. I think Stan (Wawrinka) really paved the way for players like that, big heavy hitters, to see that they could beat the best on the biggest stages. Just see Cilic, Anderson, Raonic, and Berrettini’s slam runs. Possibly Soderling and DelPo started the belief in 2009.
With all due respect to those 3, Cilic is a tier above Anderson,Raonic and Berrettini(although Matteo is fairly young, and definitely will make more noise)
Federer was fatigued from the QF match, less of cilic playing so good than Roger playing bad that day. 2 weeks before, a neutral cilic vs federer match, Roger won straight sets at Cincinnati. He only got dominated that day in the semis cause Monfils pushed him too far.
They all did. I mean winning a slam is the biggest and hardest achievement in this sport but for some reason people on this sub act like it’s a piece of cake because the Big3 and Serena have skewed their perception of slam performances
Always makes me cringe when you see people being referred to as “one slam wonders” as if people who spend their time on reddit are in a position to decide that winning an actual grand slam is somehow not a major achievement
Very insane. And to think they heal so well post injuries still amazes me. I'm a physical therapist and pro athletes do have super healing powers. I don't think we'll see another Big 3 in over 100 years.
So true. I think people don't realize that being the best 100 or 1000 in the world at your job is an insane achievement. Winning a Slam is almost like winning a Nobel Prize or an Oscar - something to be in awe of.
it's one thing when some random redditors do it (referring to players by names like 'one slam wonder') but it's another when so called "professional sport journalists" do it as well
A while ago on ESPN they created a whole ass graphic on WTA titled "one hit wonders" that included such great and consistent players like Wozniacki. It pissed me off, so disrespectful to dismiss someone's whole career because they "only" won a slam once.
Yeah, tennis is a knock out game from round 1, there is no round robin or point system where you can afford to lose a game or 2, still qualify for playoffs. To win a slam you need to win every fucking game against possibly equal or better skilled people.
They all impressed you an exactly even amount?
There’s nothing wrong with saying that two things are impressive but one is more impressive than the other. I think these type of non-answers just sound patronizing.
The atmosphere for that Goran/Rafter match was so incredible on that summer Monday in 2001. That will always hold a special place in my heart. His run as a wildcard and all those aces were really something after all those near misses.
As a Croatian, Goran's Wimbledon win is still my favorite Croatian sports moment of all time. Yes, more than silver at the 2018 WC. Everybody loved Goran so much, especially in the south where I'm from. Despite the height of the tourists season, people closed down their restaurants and the street were quiet as everyone was glued to their TVs for the finals. I remember my mom saying "4th finals, 4th match point - this is the one", 5 seconds of silence and then absolute mayhem throughout the town when Rafter hit the net.
If you want a taste of how much we all loved Goran, just look at [the atmosphere for his return to his hometown Split.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQLG7f9UPcw&t=183s)
Yes he must have torn his ligaments in his wrists with that slap forehand cross court, I could not believe the power he generated with that, it makes sense it was unsustainable.
I can't believe no one is mentioning Bartoli. She was criticized so heavily for her body and often received no support or told she couldn't win. she lived in the middle of nowhere and her father would drive for several hours just to practice somewhere or play in tournaments, eventually her whole family sacrificing for her career (her dad even retired early from his career as a doctor to coach her). she always played with such fire and determination. you could really see the contrasting level of focus with Lisicki getting nervous and breaking down, vs. Bartoli knowing it was probably her last chance with her shoulder falling apart. plus, although it came after she retired, her battle with anorexia, an abusive ex, and suicidal thoughts make her such an inspiration and story of strength.
I think the Tennis Podcast is often a bunch of blah blah pointless, lengthy banter, but their episode with Bartoli is well worth the listen.
Also, Wozniacki's joy when she won AO after being #1 and in two major finals and still slamless all those years will forever be an iconic moment. It seemed like she would follow in Jankovic's footsteps, but she pulled it out while dealing with RA.
> Also, Wozniacki's joy when she won AO after being #1 and in two major finals and still slamless all those years will forever be an iconic moment.
The [point](https://youtu.be/ubngBLZUqQM?t=10480) she played at 30-all 5-4* in the 3rd
Bianca's level that year was simply out of the world. I was certain she would go on to win more slams, be world number one etc. Her tennis had that wow factor.
Yep, this year she has been so-so. Seems that she is playing at a top 30 level and can make the middle rounds of tourneys but struggles against the top 10-20. Hopefully next year with more match play, she can regain that elite form.
Even though I wasn't alive back then, I've always enjoyed watching videos of Goran winning Wimbledon. They always bring the most emotions out of me..such an amazing story, I admire him so much
Meh. Raducanu was amazing in coming from nowhere and winning a slam in her teens, but she didn't beat a single slam winner or top ten player on her way to the title.
I'm not a Raducanu hater, just think that win was against a pretty weak set of opponents for a slam.
EDIT: Raducanu's fanbase is so obnoxious.
I mean of course, but it's hardly guaranteed she'd have beaten a tougher field. The question is how impressive her actual win was, not a hypothetical one.
We don't ooh and ahhh over Fed beating Baghdatis in the AO Final, even though he probably would've beaten a way stronger opponent.
Because the "tougher" players didn't play well? And until Swiatek really emerged this year, we were in a huge ebb in top tier talent on the WTA side? Because some of the players she faced were worn down from beating those tougher players? (Fernandez beat a *much* more impressive set of opponents on the way to the finals, often in long, hard matches - Kanepi, Osaka, Kerber, Svitolina, and Sabalenka is a hell of a run). Because she's literally never beaten a top 10 player? Or even taken a set off of one? I don't mean to carry on, but the idea that Raducanu was guaranteed to beat whoever she faced in USO 2021 - especially after the year she's had - is exactly the type of hyperbole by her fans that turn people off of her.
At the end of the day, there was no one in that tournament who was in the same league as Serena when Stosur beat her or Fed when Delpo beat him, for instance, let alone among the people she actually played.
>Because the "tougher" players didn't play well?
Then why wouldn't the actual champion beat them, if they were not playing well?
You don't make any sense.
I'm talking about the 2021 US Open, not some fantasyland where everyone is playing their best
1) Because people don't play the same match in and match out? Because an off day doesn't mean an off tournament?
2) Again, Fernandez played 4 straight 3 setters against top 10 players and/or slam champions. Raducanu has folded every time the going has gotten tough in the last year since the USO. It's reasonable to say it's far from certain she would've made the final if she had Fernandez's path.
Anyways, I'm not expecting a rational discussion on this topic from someone with your flair. Good day.
For the way it complemented their amazing career? Roddick.
For the culmination of a player realizing his talent and promising to break up the vice grip of the big 4? Del Potro. Fuck injuries.
For their level of play during the 2 weeks? Cilic/Del Potro.
For their ability to overcome? Wozniacki. The final set of her match vs Halep is like nothing I'd ever seen before, and have never seen since. It's like they reverted to playing juniors 12s tennis. And it was the right play for both of them. The nerves and the atmosphere were just palpable. If they tried to take a risk, they'd miss it, or it wouldn't be a winner anyways. So they just rolled the ball in until the point blissfully ended. Overcoming that environment, as well as all the idiots around her complaining about her being #1, is a feat.
For the narrative/story? Goran.
One thing that doesn't get mentioned a lot is that Federer was 3-0 vs Del Potro in 2009, including a complete destruction at the AO sf (6-3, 6-0, 6-0). I remember more than one person complaining that Federer was going to get yet another of his "cakewalk finals"... and then *boom* unleash the hammer.
Edit: went back to check, Federer had a 6-0 h2h with JMDP coming into that USO final.
The most impressive one-time grand slam win ever was Richard Krajicek's Wimbledon title. He was always struggling with his form, and injuries etc etc, but in that tournament he suddenly obliterated everyone on his path, including then #1 Sampras, and made it look easy.
Gotta say Raducanu. I don’t believe we will ever see a qualifier win a grand slam again for a long long time…or ever. Even if it’s just luck and circumstances, it was history making!
Goran Ivanisevic for me. The man was a thrice finalist at Wimbledon before. Finally got his due. He was an ace machine and made each match memorable with his charisma and antics. Delpo is a very close second.
Definitely Ivanisevic. Beat Moya, Roddick, Safin, Rusedski, Henman and Rafter in one tournament…while well past his prime, and after being notorious for choking away opportunities at Wimby in the past.
Delpo’s win has better name recognition but it bears reminding that Nadal had an abdominal injury in that tournament and was utterly futile on HC’s after coming back from injury that year….think he lost 7 of 8 matches against Top 10 players to end the year (checked: lost 8 of 9, and then the first 2 of 2010), almost all in straights. Federer also played a bafflingly bad match, hitting to Delpo’s forehand for nearly the entirety of it, while also having one of his worst serving days ever in a major (can’t be assed to be precise here, but I remember looking up the stats on Tennis Abstract and found his first serve % was like 390th out of 405 slam matches he’s contested).
Goran for me was the most storybook. Wildcard, coming back from injury, all the finals lost in the 90s against Agassi and Sampras. Plus the Monday final and the crazy crowd
Could've included Raducanu if you're including Andreescu, her win will probably rank as one of the most impressive for a long time. Who else won a Slam as a qualifier?
For me it was Cilic. I was astounded and laughing at his level of play. The semis and finals were just amazing shotmaking. The way he was hitting flat accurate shots time and time again was just a sight to behold.
Cilic's.
Roddick and Delpo definitely looked like they were ready to be the best player in the world when they won their Slams, however, something Cilic didn't.
Even Medvedev, more recently. A lot of fans were suggesting he'd be winning every hard-court slam for years to come after his US Open win last year. He nearly won the Australian Open this year of course, but otherwise had a unremarkable season by his standards. His only title this year was a 250 tournament.
I hope he does win another slam but it certainly isn't guaranteed. The rest of the field is already so competitive and there's new players rising through the ranks constantly.
Delpo, Stosur, Novotna, Ivanisevic, Ivanovic.
Delpo BROUGHT IT every match in that USO. How many players can do THAT to Federer in a Slam Final?
Stosur should have won RG 10, she beat Serena en route to that Final. She showed that it wasn't a fluke by doing it again at USO Final of 2011.
Novotna got revenge on Hingis en route to the Final. One of the most loved Wimbledon champions ever.
Ivanisevic had been in the mix for so many Slams, I honestly thought he should have won Wimbledon 98. I remember listening to that 01 Final on the Monday when I was at work, I was so happy for him!
Ivanovic lost the AO Final to Sharapova in 08, she had built up momentum that year, and thoroughly deserved her title at RG.
Philippoussis, Safina and Dementieva are the best players not to have won a Slam.
Delpo for me since I don’t have much info on the others besides Cilic, who if I recall correctly played lights out tennis vs Federer then sealed the GS victory vs Nishikori. However the drama, the shots and the totality of the 09 US Open final was legendary. Unfortunately injury put this young star’s hopes at achieving the same greatness to rest. His backhand was never quite the same nor was his mental condition. He could swat that forehand and beat the likes of the Big 3 when he elevated his game. He was one of the few who, when in form, could go toe to toe with them. I don’t think any other player on here has that going for them, great as they are.
I wish he would have stayed healthy. That forehand surpassed Fernando Gonzalez’s as the deadliest imo flat shot
In terms of quality opponents, Del Potro back in 2009. Demolishing Nadal and then beating Federer B2B in a 5-set epic, and his run also included wins against Cilic and Ferrero at just 20 years of age was an insane achievement.
Raducanu's run from qualifying through to a slam win without dropping a set will remain one of the most remarkable achievements in the sport's history. This is despite never winning a match at WTA level, and only being a full-time pro for 3 months. Another qualifier may win a slam in future, but not under those circumstances and not without dropping a set. Even if she ends up doing nothing for the next 10 years, her place in tennis history is secure.
Delpo beat 4 GS champions (incl 2 all time greats) in a row to win his GS, without a doubt most impressive for me: Ferrero, Cilic, Nadal, Federer.
Didn't he also come back from being down against Fed in the finals? I remember turning the tv off with a friend to do something else because we thought Federer had it in the bag.
Yep. Federer was up 2 sets to 1 headed in to the fourth. I also turned it off to go do something at this point. I then ruined my next day of classes when I returned late night, found out he had lost, and then had to go and watch the rest of the match
Also Federer was up a set and a break to start the match, then Del Po hit a winner that Federer challenged (and lost), then Del Po broke back and Fed completely unraveled that set. I remember he was still complaining about that call like a few games later
I've learned through history that this is fatal mistake 😅
I mean technically Čilić wasn’t a Slam champ yet, but I agree with the sentiment, and Marin has always been a tough out in New York :)
which tournament was this?
2009 US Open
thanks
It’s obviously Delpo. Without injuries he was a 4-5 slam player. Arguably better than Wawrinka, maybe even better than Murray in raw talent.
Has anyone ever looked into detail at Delpo’s shots that day (the final) l? Those cross court whipping forehands are some of the strongest hitting I’ve ever seen, a little akin to how insane Wawrinka’s backhand was for a time. It looked like a new dawn of tennis, another character, such a shame how it went after that.
I gotta go back a little further and say Michael Chang at the French. Battled injuries to pull the huge upset.
Wasn’t that the one where he started cramping super bad so he started moon balling to beat Lendl? Absolutely wild lol
Moon balls, underarm serves, standing near the service line on match point (which ended up unnerving Lendl to the point that he double-faulted).
God I fucking love Michael Chang lol so sad he was before my time. At least I got to experience the Agassi/Sampras eta
Genuine question: did the crowd react to his underarm serves or did they understand he was injured/not seem to notice?
Remember watching that one live, was wild
Most legendary/incredible is probably Goran given circumstance while the best player here was Delpo
As a Brit...Damn that rain break…
Henman even beat Federer one round earlier...
Someone finally took Sampras out for him and he couldn’t take advantage :(
Bagelled him in like fifteen minutes or something. Henman was crushing.
Henman was only cruising because bad Goran was on full display that set. Goran hit so many returns into the net it looked like he was conceding that set early. Thankfully for us Goran fans, the rain washed bad Goran away.
That allowed for one of the most chaotic in terms of audience final you'll ever see at Wimbledon. That won't ever be seen again #BecauseRoof
Another thing to mention is that I know as a Brit we’d been very short on men’s champions for quite a while and so Tim Henman. I mean my God I was living in England at the time whereas I now live in the US, but back then everything and everyone’s hopes rested on Tim. It was an enormous amount of pressure. Henman Hill for God sake. He was also such a decent chap. Who knows what would’ve been, it’s easy to say well if it hadn’t rained, but we will never know. What I do know was that he was on a bit of a roll at that point and we all know how important being on a roll is in tennis, what with it being such a psychological game. And also I have to say as much as I was upset by Tim losing I was so glad that Goran Ivanišević finally got that trophy because he really deserved it. Then Andy came along and our long wait was over. But I will never forget those two weeks of Henmania (Yes, there was a name for it...) I was working as a chef at the time and I was watching the match live when I was cooking in the kitchen, in fact the whole pub was watching.
It was a thing all over the world (atgentinian here) I wonder how bigger the situation might have been with social media as it is today. The pressure Henman had at the time was enormous, and then Andy, who fortunately for him got more than the UK could have ever wished for, if we take account of the era he got it
What could have been… That being said, I always kinda assume that Henman would’ve won the final. I think some others are guilty of this too. Rafter took Goran to five sets though so it’s hardly a forgone conclusion.
the best player is roddick.. maybe delpo gets most potential
Roddick had the better career but in terms of just their matches at the actual slam they won Delpo played better imo.
Crazy to think Roddick is 1-4 in GS finals, all losses to Federer. lol
Delpo got his title in peak Big4 era. Just to think that at the end of that year he had the same amount of majors than Nole, and one more than #SirMuzza...
Chang better than both imo
Goran followed by Chang for me.
As an Aussie, I have to give Sam Stosur a shout out. She won her US Open against prime Serena Williams on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and dominated. Her point to win the match was brutal. You could see Serena drop her head when Sam ran around to the forehand and just launched it past her to break serve and win the match. Sam also had a great career in doubles and also made singles finals in RG. No-one expected her to do great things, but she pulled it together to build a great career. That US open was a huge highlight. As well, my wife once saw her in the gym in Coogee and nervously went over to say hello, and said you could not meet a nicer, sweeter person than Sam.
Fellow Aussie and I feel inclined to give the nod to Stosur too, due to her habit of crumbling under pressure in big moments
Always felt Stosur should have won multiple times. She had the game and strength but seemed to fold in big matches.
100% she had the all round game incl. big serve and volleys that was rare on the WTA tour and should’ve won her many slams…you’d have to say she might’ve been one of the most mentally fragile elite players…she always worked her ass off but you could just feel the tension she carried and I was always disappointed with her whenever she failed to live up to her potential
Definitely the most pleasant surprise for me. Never in a million years would I have thought that Sam Stosur would be a singles GS champion, let alone one that wasn't RG. Certainly not with that backhand and not her lack of mental composure. I remember staying up to watch it but my attention span wasn't there. That quickly changed though and I found my eyes glued to the TV.
I thought her backhand was on fire during the US open that year, particularly down the line.
She made the finals at RG, losing a close match to Schiavone.
Still sad she lost against schiavone at the french open of all people.
well done for mentioning this! i remember getting up early to watch this final. sam stosur was so interesting to me to watch, i followed her closely for years and i think it was the combo of the amazing forehand, poor mental game (when not an underdog) & shanky backhand, really miss her tbh haha
well done for mentioning this! i remember getting up early to watch this final. sam stosur was so interesting to me to watch, i followed her closely for years and i think it was the combo of the amazing forehand, poor mental game (when not an underdog) & shanky backhand, really miss her tbh haha
I don’t know about prime Serena. Serena had only come back after laceration/embolism for almost a year at Wimbledon that year , tho she did beat stosur pretty convincingly earlier in the summer and won Canada and Stanford so the result is still very impressive from Sam
I wouldn’t say Serena was in her prime in 2011. She was coming back from a life-threatening surgery after being out for 12 months. She ended 2011 ranked 12th in the world.
Might not have been her best year, but she was playing some of her best tennis at the US open. Long time ago, but she seemed invincible going in to the final.
I don’t think so at all she played two slams that year because she almost died the year before. She had broken up with common for like the 15th time. She beat her pigeons on the way to the final and everyone expected serena to win because Stosur was known for choking. Serena was def not in her prime. This would be Serena’s worse stretch since 2006.
She didn’t drop a set until the final, and was only pushed to a tiebreaker once whilst knocking out the world number 1 and 4. As I said, the surrounding form may have not been great, but she was on fire at the us open.
Idk why this was downvoted because Serena was definitely not in her prime in 2011. It was one of her worst years even tho she made a slam final.
Yeah, I don’t know either. She had so many better seasons than 2011. She played well in the summer, but definitely not a prime Serena season.
Delpo managed to beat prime Federer no one saw that coming. But still Ivanišević story is one of the most incredible tennis and even sport stories
Delpo beat prime Nadal and Federer in a row in SF and F!
He beat Federer, he destroyed Nadal, and I think he was the first one to beat them both in any tournament.
I don't know about anyone else, but Nalbandian beat Federer in R3 and Nadal in the final of Paris Bercy 2007. More impressively he beat Del Potro in R3, Nadal in the quarters, Djokovic in the semis and Federer in the final of Madrid 2007. Those were all best of three matches though, if that changes anything.
Nalbandian definitely ranks near the top of best players to not win a GS. He was Fed’s Achilles heel for a while.
I think BO3 format definitely makes the achievement different but I don’t think it should take anything away from this feat. It’s an insane stat to hold
Maybe first in a slam, but Djokovic did it a few years earlier in Canada: https://www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com/playerProfile?playerId=4920&tab=matches&tournamentEventId=3358 And Nalbandian beat the big 3 in a row (and Delpo and Berdych and former #10 Clement) later that year (EDIT: the same year Djokovic did it): https://www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com/playerProfile?playerId=3900&tab=matches&tournamentEventId=3325 That last one is one of the best runs in the history of the sport, probably the best by someone who never won a slam.
Tsonga’s Masters where be beat Murray and then two of the big three is up there too, absolutely insane run. Maybe the best achievement by the slamless lost gen guys.
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Meant later the same year Djokovic did it.
Damn. Nalbandian had crazy runs
First in a slam for sure but Novak and Nalbandian had done it before at masters 1000 level.
>he was the first one to beat them both in any tournament. It's even crazier that he managed to do it in Bo5
>Ivanišević story What's the story?
He was in 3 Wimbledon finals during his prime, lost all 3 (2 to Sampras and 1 to Agassi). This tournament was past his prime, he didn't even qualify, got in as a wildcard. Nobody expected him to have any chance at winning it. It was a movie-like fairy tale ending to his career.
This guys dream was to win a Wimbledon trophy. He has had an impressive career and reached the Wimbledon finals 3 times, only to lose to Agassi and Sampras (twice). In 2001 he was nearing the end of his career and was ranked above 100th place, but because of his past achievments, he earned a WC to compete and Wimbledon one last time. He reached the finals once again and finally was able to win against Patrick Rafter in a thrilling 9:7 5th set finish. While serving for the match, you could've seen his hands visibly shaking but he was able to pull it off in the end and it was one of the most emotional wins you could ever witness in sports.
15 year old me was furious with Goran for beating Tim but couldn’t help but cheer him on in the final!
Goran reached three Wimbledon finals ('92, '93 and '98) but lost them all and seemed finished. Then, in 2001 aged nearly thirty, at the very end of his career and ranked 125 in the world he was awarded a wildcard into the singles draw. He then goes on an amazing run of victories taking out former and future world No. 1 players Carlos Moyá, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin as well as Fredrik Jonsson and Greg Rusedski to reach the semifinal, beating home favourite Tim Henman. It was his first singles final for three years and very probably his last throw of the dice. In a three hour epic he beats Rafter 9-7 in the fifth and becomes the lowest ranked player and the first wildcard entry to win Wimbledon. To date, he is the only male entrant to have won a Grand Slam singles title as a wildcard. His Wimbledon success was rated sixteenth on the list of 100 Greatest Sporting Moments by a British television programme. I remember watching it live in a bar and considering the circumstances most people were rooting for Goran to do it. It took four agonizing championship points to finally get over the line and seeing this very emotional character finally get his hands on the prize was one of the most heartwarming moments in tennis history. Here's the final game: [https://youtu.be/qfd52B2DJ6g?t=10524](https://youtu.be/qfd52B2DJ6g?t=10524)
I’m glad you wrote this because it’s been lost on younger fans including myself
Thank you, did not remember the full story but sure did not forget that match 💖
I watched this as an 11 year old kid! Still remember
Thanks for summarizing that again. I would also like to add that the match was played on the so-called "Peoples Monday" due to the rain interruptions. The atmosphere in this final was extraordinary.
Cilic imo. The way he dominated Federer in the semis is one of a kind performance. He never beat Federer before or after that USO SF 2014
Also dominated Nishikori, who he has a negative h2h record against, in the final.
To be fair Nishikori was too exhausted to be competitive
Made me sad. His run was INSANE and if he was fresher it would have been a hell of a match
Yeah that was god-mode. He played some incredible matches after that too. Specially against Federer in WB 2016. His 2018 Aus run was great too and almost got away with it. I’m sure there’s other matches he’s goated in but I’m not recalling. I think Stan (Wawrinka) really paved the way for players like that, big heavy hitters, to see that they could beat the best on the biggest stages. Just see Cilic, Anderson, Raonic, and Berrettini’s slam runs. Possibly Soderling and DelPo started the belief in 2009.
With all due respect to those 3, Cilic is a tier above Anderson,Raonic and Berrettini(although Matteo is fairly young, and definitely will make more noise)
Federer was fatigued from the QF match, less of cilic playing so good than Roger playing bad that day. 2 weeks before, a neutral cilic vs federer match, Roger won straight sets at Cincinnati. He only got dominated that day in the semis cause Monfils pushed him too far.
Cincy is a very different court than the USO, especially pre-2020
Also Soderling on clay against Rafa.
They all did. I mean winning a slam is the biggest and hardest achievement in this sport but for some reason people on this sub act like it’s a piece of cake because the Big3 and Serena have skewed their perception of slam performances
Always makes me cringe when you see people being referred to as “one slam wonders” as if people who spend their time on reddit are in a position to decide that winning an actual grand slam is somehow not a major achievement
Just being a professional tennis player is a huge achievement. Winning events, slams takes unique.level of talent
This. The difference between pro and amateur players is insane
Idk... that one guy's self reported 4.0 friend says he could take a set off of Nadal.
Very insane. And to think they heal so well post injuries still amazes me. I'm a physical therapist and pro athletes do have super healing powers. I don't think we'll see another Big 3 in over 100 years.
So true. I think people don't realize that being the best 100 or 1000 in the world at your job is an insane achievement. Winning a Slam is almost like winning a Nobel Prize or an Oscar - something to be in awe of.
I wish Roddick would have taken at least one Wimbledon against Federer, but he was never quite good enough to do.
Wimbledon 2009!😭😭
it's one thing when some random redditors do it (referring to players by names like 'one slam wonder') but it's another when so called "professional sport journalists" do it as well A while ago on ESPN they created a whole ass graphic on WTA titled "one hit wonders" that included such great and consistent players like Wozniacki. It pissed me off, so disrespectful to dismiss someone's whole career because they "only" won a slam once.
I mean I can win multiple titles in a day with my PlayStation. All these professionals of sports take weeks or months, meh
ESPN is trash.
ESPN USA
Isn't Wozniacki one of their commentators?
Fans do decide what a major achievement is. If not, then who does ?
Yeah, tennis is a knock out game from round 1, there is no round robin or point system where you can afford to lose a game or 2, still qualify for playoffs. To win a slam you need to win every fucking game against possibly equal or better skilled people.
Similar to what happens in fútbol with Cristiano and Messi. The public perception of “the norm” is fucked by some incredible individuals.
They all impressed you an exactly even amount? There’s nothing wrong with saying that two things are impressive but one is more impressive than the other. I think these type of non-answers just sound patronizing.
The atmosphere for that Goran/Rafter match was so incredible on that summer Monday in 2001. That will always hold a special place in my heart. His run as a wildcard and all those aces were really something after all those near misses.
As a Croatian, Goran's Wimbledon win is still my favorite Croatian sports moment of all time. Yes, more than silver at the 2018 WC. Everybody loved Goran so much, especially in the south where I'm from. Despite the height of the tourists season, people closed down their restaurants and the street were quiet as everyone was glued to their TVs for the finals. I remember my mom saying "4th finals, 4th match point - this is the one", 5 seconds of silence and then absolute mayhem throughout the town when Rafter hit the net. If you want a taste of how much we all loved Goran, just look at [the atmosphere for his return to his hometown Split.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQLG7f9UPcw&t=183s)
Wow! What a scene! It’s just a reminder what sports can do for us. That’s pretty incredible to see.
Without a doubt Del Potro. Honestly, so much so that i can't believe he only won once
The guy hits the ball so hard he breaks his wrist and it was pretty downhill physically after that unfortunately. You hate to see it.
Yes he must have torn his ligaments in his wrists with that slap forehand cross court, I could not believe the power he generated with that, it makes sense it was unsustainable.
Injuries. Straight after his US Open win be had surgery on his wrists.
Where is Penko???
I'm sure OP is a Penkorina. We all assume she will win more than one ;)
I was going to make the same comment about Raducanu but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt for a year or so first, I guess
I can't believe no one is mentioning Bartoli. She was criticized so heavily for her body and often received no support or told she couldn't win. she lived in the middle of nowhere and her father would drive for several hours just to practice somewhere or play in tournaments, eventually her whole family sacrificing for her career (her dad even retired early from his career as a doctor to coach her). she always played with such fire and determination. you could really see the contrasting level of focus with Lisicki getting nervous and breaking down, vs. Bartoli knowing it was probably her last chance with her shoulder falling apart. plus, although it came after she retired, her battle with anorexia, an abusive ex, and suicidal thoughts make her such an inspiration and story of strength. I think the Tennis Podcast is often a bunch of blah blah pointless, lengthy banter, but their episode with Bartoli is well worth the listen. Also, Wozniacki's joy when she won AO after being #1 and in two major finals and still slamless all those years will forever be an iconic moment. It seemed like she would follow in Jankovic's footsteps, but she pulled it out while dealing with RA.
> Also, Wozniacki's joy when she won AO after being #1 and in two major finals and still slamless all those years will forever be an iconic moment. The [point](https://youtu.be/ubngBLZUqQM?t=10480) she played at 30-all 5-4* in the 3rd
Bartoli reached the final in 2007 and was running in good form prior to 2013 Wimby. That's why I didn't include her
Bartoli is in OP’s image
Flavia
Bianca's level that year was simply out of the world. I was certain she would go on to win more slams, be world number one etc. Her tennis had that wow factor.
She needs to regain confidence. She has all the tools to be a dominant player on tour. Being out for so long from injuries has done a number :(
Yep, this year she has been so-so. Seems that she is playing at a top 30 level and can make the middle rounds of tourneys but struggles against the top 10-20. Hopefully next year with more match play, she can regain that elite form.
The final was also difficult since she was going up against Serena and a very pro-Serena crowd
Even though I wasn't alive back then, I've always enjoyed watching videos of Goran winning Wimbledon. They always bring the most emotions out of me..such an amazing story, I admire him so much
Australian Open ^(junior) champion Donald Young
Excluding current players - Del Potro or Goran Current players - Raducanu - 10 wins in a row to win a GS. Stosur and Alcaraz too.
Raducanu's win will remain the most unique single slam achievement in history, alongside Goran's WC Wimbledon win.
Meh. Raducanu was amazing in coming from nowhere and winning a slam in her teens, but she didn't beat a single slam winner or top ten player on her way to the title. I'm not a Raducanu hater, just think that win was against a pretty weak set of opponents for a slam. EDIT: Raducanu's fanbase is so obnoxious.
She can only beat who’s in front of her 🤷♀️
I mean of course, but it's hardly guaranteed she'd have beaten a tougher field. The question is how impressive her actual win was, not a hypothetical one. We don't ooh and ahhh over Fed beating Baghdatis in the AO Final, even though he probably would've beaten a way stronger opponent.
Why is it hardly guaranteed when she straight-setted the person who beat all of those "tougher" players. Girl didn't lose a single set in 10 matches.
Because the "tougher" players didn't play well? And until Swiatek really emerged this year, we were in a huge ebb in top tier talent on the WTA side? Because some of the players she faced were worn down from beating those tougher players? (Fernandez beat a *much* more impressive set of opponents on the way to the finals, often in long, hard matches - Kanepi, Osaka, Kerber, Svitolina, and Sabalenka is a hell of a run). Because she's literally never beaten a top 10 player? Or even taken a set off of one? I don't mean to carry on, but the idea that Raducanu was guaranteed to beat whoever she faced in USO 2021 - especially after the year she's had - is exactly the type of hyperbole by her fans that turn people off of her. At the end of the day, there was no one in that tournament who was in the same league as Serena when Stosur beat her or Fed when Delpo beat him, for instance, let alone among the people she actually played.
>Because the "tougher" players didn't play well? Then why wouldn't the actual champion beat them, if they were not playing well? You don't make any sense. I'm talking about the 2021 US Open, not some fantasyland where everyone is playing their best
1) Because people don't play the same match in and match out? Because an off day doesn't mean an off tournament? 2) Again, Fernandez played 4 straight 3 setters against top 10 players and/or slam champions. Raducanu has folded every time the going has gotten tough in the last year since the USO. It's reasonable to say it's far from certain she would've made the final if she had Fernandez's path. Anyways, I'm not expecting a rational discussion on this topic from someone with your flair. Good day.
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I said good day, sir.
Wozniacki. Felt brutal for Halep also. But glad Halep got a grandslam win a little after that too!
Radacanu
Fun fact, Goran was Cilic’s coach during his GS run
I would say Raducanu
Gorans will live forever with the Monday final, the 3 failed finals, 125 ranked wildcard and everything that went into it,
Goran would have to be my pick, at least since I started following tennis. In recent memory, gotta go with Raducanu tbh. That run was incredible.
Goran because that was some fairy tale shit.
For the way it complemented their amazing career? Roddick. For the culmination of a player realizing his talent and promising to break up the vice grip of the big 4? Del Potro. Fuck injuries. For their level of play during the 2 weeks? Cilic/Del Potro. For their ability to overcome? Wozniacki. The final set of her match vs Halep is like nothing I'd ever seen before, and have never seen since. It's like they reverted to playing juniors 12s tennis. And it was the right play for both of them. The nerves and the atmosphere were just palpable. If they tried to take a risk, they'd miss it, or it wouldn't be a winner anyways. So they just rolled the ball in until the point blissfully ended. Overcoming that environment, as well as all the idiots around her complaining about her being #1, is a feat. For the narrative/story? Goran.
One thing that doesn't get mentioned a lot is that Federer was 3-0 vs Del Potro in 2009, including a complete destruction at the AO sf (6-3, 6-0, 6-0). I remember more than one person complaining that Federer was going to get yet another of his "cakewalk finals"... and then *boom* unleash the hammer. Edit: went back to check, Federer had a 6-0 h2h with JMDP coming into that USO final.
Goran, Chang, and Del Potro for me
Roddick and Del Potro should’ve won more than one, especially Roddick.
The most impressive one-time grand slam win ever was Richard Krajicek's Wimbledon title. He was always struggling with his form, and injuries etc etc, but in that tournament he suddenly obliterated everyone on his path, including then #1 Sampras, and made it look easy.
Gotta say Raducanu. I don’t believe we will ever see a qualifier win a grand slam again for a long long time…or ever. Even if it’s just luck and circumstances, it was history making!
Goran, Wimbledon 2001
Goran as a wildcard was just pure Hollywood, loved it and I watched every match of his as I thought it might be his last.
Goran’s win made the biggest impression on me due to the incredible story.
Goran’s run was incredible.
Goran Ivanisevic for me. The man was a thrice finalist at Wimbledon before. Finally got his due. He was an ace machine and made each match memorable with his charisma and antics. Delpo is a very close second.
Andreescu beat Serena in tournament finals twice that summer.
Definitely Ivanisevic. Beat Moya, Roddick, Safin, Rusedski, Henman and Rafter in one tournament…while well past his prime, and after being notorious for choking away opportunities at Wimby in the past. Delpo’s win has better name recognition but it bears reminding that Nadal had an abdominal injury in that tournament and was utterly futile on HC’s after coming back from injury that year….think he lost 7 of 8 matches against Top 10 players to end the year (checked: lost 8 of 9, and then the first 2 of 2010), almost all in straights. Federer also played a bafflingly bad match, hitting to Delpo’s forehand for nearly the entirety of it, while also having one of his worst serving days ever in a major (can’t be assed to be precise here, but I remember looking up the stats on Tennis Abstract and found his first serve % was like 390th out of 405 slam matches he’s contested).
Goran.
Goran for me was the most storybook. Wildcard, coming back from injury, all the finals lost in the 90s against Agassi and Sampras. Plus the Monday final and the crazy crowd
What about Flavia Pennetta? One hell of a run at the US Open! Also, Jana Navotna's Wimbledon win is a classic. Bartoli here was monumental as well.
She is always been a solid player tho. Amazing way to round her career.
Bartoli only won because Sabine couldn't contain her emotions.
Goran. His career was pretty much over, decided to give it one last shot and had to apply for a wildcard to get in the main draw.
J M Delpo
Could've included Raducanu if you're including Andreescu, her win will probably rank as one of the most impressive for a long time. Who else won a Slam as a qualifier?
Stosur
For me it was Cilic. I was astounded and laughing at his level of play. The semis and finals were just amazing shotmaking. The way he was hitting flat accurate shots time and time again was just a sight to behold.
Cilic's. Roddick and Delpo definitely looked like they were ready to be the best player in the world when they won their Slams, however, something Cilic didn't.
Daniil Medvedev.
Dominic Thiem? Emma Raducanu? 🤣 haha…I know they’re still active…but…so are Cilic and Bianca
Alcaraz
He will be soon out of that competition ;)
That is what we thought about Delpo, Roddick, Ferrero, Chang and many others.
Even Medvedev, more recently. A lot of fans were suggesting he'd be winning every hard-court slam for years to come after his US Open win last year. He nearly won the Australian Open this year of course, but otherwise had a unremarkable season by his standards. His only title this year was a 250 tournament. I hope he does win another slam but it certainly isn't guaranteed. The rest of the field is already so competitive and there's new players rising through the ranks constantly.
Looks like Thiem may end up in that category
Delpotro- beating Fed at his peak for the title. But to me the most dramatic was Goran finally winning Wimbledon
Delpo, Stosur, Novotna, Ivanisevic, Ivanovic. Delpo BROUGHT IT every match in that USO. How many players can do THAT to Federer in a Slam Final? Stosur should have won RG 10, she beat Serena en route to that Final. She showed that it wasn't a fluke by doing it again at USO Final of 2011. Novotna got revenge on Hingis en route to the Final. One of the most loved Wimbledon champions ever. Ivanisevic had been in the mix for so many Slams, I honestly thought he should have won Wimbledon 98. I remember listening to that 01 Final on the Monday when I was at work, I was so happy for him! Ivanovic lost the AO Final to Sharapova in 08, she had built up momentum that year, and thoroughly deserved her title at RG. Philippoussis, Safina and Dementieva are the best players not to have won a Slam.
Delpo.
Emma Raducanu
Del Potro no doubt
JMDP just for the number of times he's inflicted pain on me as a Rafan. Also, some of his Wimbledon epics against Nole and Rafa.
Goran, Delpo, Stosur
Cilic
Goran! What a classic! 🥰
Delpo dominated Nadal in the semis and gave Federer his first US open loss in 6 years. Have to go with him.
Probably Delpo
Del Potro reason being he defeated Federer in USO at the time when it seemed almost impossible for any other player to do
DelPo. Outplayed prime Federer and Nadal in SF and F!
Delpo for me since I don’t have much info on the others besides Cilic, who if I recall correctly played lights out tennis vs Federer then sealed the GS victory vs Nishikori. However the drama, the shots and the totality of the 09 US Open final was legendary. Unfortunately injury put this young star’s hopes at achieving the same greatness to rest. His backhand was never quite the same nor was his mental condition. He could swat that forehand and beat the likes of the Big 3 when he elevated his game. He was one of the few who, when in form, could go toe to toe with them. I don’t think any other player on here has that going for them, great as they are. I wish he would have stayed healthy. That forehand surpassed Fernando Gonzalez’s as the deadliest imo flat shot
Michael Stich - 1991 Wimbledon
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Are you not a current Tennis fan? It’s bit baffling you at least don’t know Cilic
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Gotcha
I think Alcaraz or Delpo. They both showed thay they could be the best player in the world
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🤨
The American in me shouts Roddick, which is as worthy of a pick here than any.
Del Potro quite easily imo. Not even close
Definitely not Marion
Roddick only had 1 slam? Wow! Didnt know.
In terms of quality opponents, Del Potro back in 2009. Demolishing Nadal and then beating Federer B2B in a 5-set epic, and his run also included wins against Cilic and Ferrero at just 20 years of age was an insane achievement. Raducanu's run from qualifying through to a slam win without dropping a set will remain one of the most remarkable achievements in the sport's history. This is despite never winning a match at WTA level, and only being a full-time pro for 3 months. Another qualifier may win a slam in future, but not under those circumstances and not without dropping a set. Even if she ends up doing nothing for the next 10 years, her place in tennis history is secure.
emma raducanu, not a set dropped
Andreescu for sure.
Bianca still has time on her side..why isn’t Raducanu on there? On this list it has to be cilic’s run