Tennis Prose




Oct/17

24

Why Is Carlos Moya Not In The Hall of Fame?

moya

By Scoop Malinowski

Carlos Moya was ATP World No. 1 in 1999, he won the French Open (1998) and Davis Cup. Moya won twenty ATP World Tour singles titles overall.

Moya’s last major appearance was losing in the first round at the 2009 Australian Open. The five year period has lapsed but Moya has still not been nominated for the Newport Hall of Fame election ballot.

Moya’s credentials and accomplishments compare or exceed inducted Hall of Famers like Michael Chang, Andy Roddick and Gabriela Sabatini, among others.

Is it just an oversight – or is there some sort of subconscious bias against clay court titans, particularly Spanish Grand Slam champions? Juan Carlos Ferrero (one Roland Garros title, No. 1 in the world), Sergi Bruguera (two Roland Garros titles) and Alberto Costa (one Roland Garros title) have not yet been nominated to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Carlos Moya was a super champion and a credit to tennis. Richard Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon champ said this about the exceptional sportsmanship of Costa and especially Moya: “In general, he’s very disciplined. That’s also what I saw with Costa, Alberto Costa, he’s also very mature for his age. Even now, sometimes I go crazy on the court. Then you could see my emotions much better. These guys are unbelievable. I don’t know about Costa, but Moya I’ve seen before. He’s a very fair player. When I look at him, he says the ball is wide, I really believe him. Very fair. He would never, no matter what the score is, would never take a point. The way he behaves on the court, I think that is a very big plus for the Spanish, those two. I don’t know about the other ones very well. But, those two, I really see how well they are on the court. That’s a very big plus for them.”

Carlos Moya deserves to be honored with a Hall of Fame ballot nomination.

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65 comments

  • britbox · October 24, 2017 at 10:24 am

    Chang tends to get called out pretty often in these debates, rightly or wrongly. I don't think Moya had a better career than Chang personally. If one's of an opinion that Chang shouldn't be in then neither should Moya. However, I don't have a problem with Michael or Roddick being in and Moya will probably get in at some point

  • Joe Blow · October 24, 2017 at 11:09 am

    Is one Major, and being part of a DC win the new bar? Being # 1 for about an hour get you in?
    Too many guys out there with better creds than Moya.

    Surprised you didn’t add his recent coaching cred to your argument. Uncle Toni should get in the Hall, before Moya

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 24, 2017 at 11:24 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    I think every player who has held the world no. 1 ranking should be in the Hall of Fame. The BEST in the world in anything and especially tennis is an incredible achievement. Moya and Chang were credits to the sport and they both belong in the Hall of Fame.

  • dan markowitz · October 26, 2017 at 9:36 pm

    Moya is not a Hall of Famer. The guy was only in one slam finals as far as I can tell and only won three Masters events. I’m sorry, getting to no. 1 does not mean you’re a Hall of Famer. Chang in my mind, was a Hall of Famer because he won like 35 titles and was in three slam finals. Plus Chang won almost 100 more matches on the pro tour, 662 to 575. And Chang had the Chinese heritage going for him because no other Asian male player ever has made the Hall of Fame.

    Roddick also was in what six slam finals. Big difference between both Roddick and Chang and Moya.

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 27, 2017 at 9:03 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Dan, are you saying there is Asian privilege to help a player get into the Hall of Fame? Does that mean there is a slight bias against Spanish clay courters by the Hall? Is there also a South American privilege? And would that advantage help Marcelo Rios be nominated to the ballot? Roger Federer said he would elect Rios to the Hall of Fame. Does Roger Federer support privilege outweigh Asian privilege? πŸ™‚ If Sabatini is in, Moya should be in. Case closed.

  • Haelfix · October 27, 2017 at 9:59 am

    Pretty sure it's just a matter of time. Moya gets unfairly grouped with a lot of the spanish clay courters, who were viewed as athletic guys who weren't necessarily pure tennis players. Just grinders…

    The problem with that is that he was a hell of a good hardcourt player too, and could go deep on the fast stuff as well. The big back injury derailed his career a bit, so he didn't quite have the sustained longevity of someone like Chang, but his early career was definitely HOF worthy.

  • Joe Blow · October 27, 2017 at 10:28 am

    Just put everybody in…

    Once they started putting in players with one Slam, arguments for way too many one-slam wonders began.

    Think they have to come up with a formula, then have some special consideration for making Tennis bigger. Chang/Asia..

    These posts are just fodder for Scoop to make his argument for Rios, thankfully Spadea was just a journeyman, or else we’d be hearing, how getting back to 18 in the world, and winning 300 matches is HOF worthy

  • Thomas Tung · October 27, 2017 at 2:24 pm

    IMO Moya should be in the Hall of Fame. For that matter, so should Yevgeny Kafelnikov. But guys like Corretja and Pioline (2 Slam finals apiece), even Zenzo Shimizu (World #4 in the 1920s) should not be in the HOF.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenzo_Shimizu

  • Duke Carnoustie · October 27, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    I think the HOF is meaningless in every sport, basically. Winning titles is what sports is not about, not some artificial honor. In tennis it’s about winning Slams. I’d rather be Kafelnikov with a pair of Slam titles than Roddick with one and a faux HOF honor.

    Having said that, we know winning the event in Newport is one of the highest honors in the sport. That’s because many great champions are crowned there in front of our Scoop personally!

    Anyone remember the celebrity that Moya used to date?

  • Duke Carnoustie · October 27, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    Good job Scoop on Fucsovics, he nearly took down Cilic. He’s a player to watch.

    I think the fact that Donaldson was the only American to reach the NextGen finals and he is playing awful tennis of late shows that our kids have yet to step up. Tiafoe was awful vs. Fed. Maybe we will never produce another champion.

  • Chazz · October 27, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    Fritz lost in Vietnam to journeyman Go Soeda, 6-3, 7-5.

  • catherine · October 27, 2017 at 2:56 pm

    Duke – Moya used to date Flavia Pennetta at one point I believe. Then he dumped her for the celebrity.
    Flavia grew up and married Fabio πŸ™‚

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 27, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Moya was lethal in IPTL last year he dominated. Also saw Moya hit at US Open on court 17 with his IPTL teammate Melo and Moya looked better. Could still be top 50 now, super fit, moves well, no sign of age. Moya absolutely should already be in the Hall of Fame.

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 27, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Yes Joe my secret agenda is to get Rios into the Hall of Fame. I bribed Federer at the US OPen press conference to say he would vote Rios into the Hall of Fame. Next up I'm going to start bribing members of the nominating committee and also Djokovic, Nadal and Murray and Serena to also say they would vote Rios into the Hall of Fame. You have uncovered my scheme πŸ™‚

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 27, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Duke, Kafel must go in to the Hall soon. He did it all, two majors, Davis Cup, Olympic gold, doubles majors…but no Masters Series titles which is surprising. Kafel is the most glaring omission and he should get in within the next five years.

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 27, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Chazz, bad loss for Fritz. He is really hungry and determined to win a title, any title, even going to Asia to try to get one for his confidence. He's with his dad this week, no USTA coach. Fritz is struggling with his confidence.

  • catherine · October 27, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    Hall of Fame doesn’t mean anything outside the US. As Duke says, winning titles is what it’s all about. In tennis, preferably GS titles.

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 27, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Disagree Catherine. You have not been to Newport. It's a special place and the highest honor an athlete can receive. Safin said in his speech that he made a lot of mistakes in his career and one of them was never having gone to Newport before. There is no greater honor than a tennis figure being recognized and honored with induction to the Hall of Fame.

  • Duke Carnoustie · October 27, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Catherine,

    Awful job by Flavia there unless Moya dumped her first. No way that Fognini marriage lasts whether she had a kid or not.

  • El Dude · October 27, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    There is no clear line as to what a Hall of Famer is, except for those who are already there. So you start with the question: Are there inferior players in the HoF?

    I would also add the caveat: That the Hall of Fame should be primarily–if not solely–based upon career accomplishments, not how good a given player was at their very best.

    Also: Let's put aside "Masters Players" that were inducted decades after playing, and look only at recent players. Let's also ignore those players who were clearly greater than Moya and Rios (e.g. those with 6+ Slams). Let's also only look at men, and those who primarily played singles.

    The only players in recent years that I think are comparable or inferior to Moya is Yannick Noah. I'd rate Roddick, Safin, Kuerten, Chang, Rafter, Courier, Nastase, etc, all as superior. To find other players who were equal or lesser, you have to go back to players like Ralston, Osuna, McKinley, etc – all of whom were partially–if not largely–elected for their doubles careers.

    So the question: Were Moya and Rios greater players–in terms of career accomplishments–than Yannick Noah? I think Moya probably was, but maybe not Rios. That lack of a Slam is just too large. But Moya matches up pretty well.

    Does that mean Moya should be in? Maybe. But it does water down the Hall of Fame. Maybe a Hall of Famer should be clearly better than Noah, and while I think Moya's career was greater (he was #1, in addition to similar titles), it wasn't substantially better.

    And Rios? He is a bit of a tricky one, because he was a much better player than what he actually accomplished. But as good as he was for a few years, it was only a few years. I don't see him as a Hall of Famer; there are just too many players that his election would open the door to.

  • Front242 · October 27, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    Rios will mostly be remembered for this shot.

  • Haelfix · October 27, 2017 at 11:22 pm

    Rios is definitely not HOF worthy. Moya and Kafelnikov probably are though, but yes like Chang they are edge cases.

    I can see why it’s hard to vote them in. Moyas injury and Kafelnikovs weird inconsistency are definitely part of the reason.

  • GameSetAndMath · October 28, 2017 at 12:09 am

    Roddick's career is definitely better than that of Moya.

  • Moxie · October 28, 2017 at 12:21 am

    Front242 said:

    Rios will mostly be remembered for this shot.Click to expand…

    That shot makes me think of Kyrgios. "I can do anything and look like I don't care. Oh, and I kinda don't." Hope Kyrgios makes more of his talents.

  • catherine · October 28, 2017 at 3:10 am

    Scoop – Believe me, outside the US not many people know or care about US Halls of Fame. Just ask them. And not many people know about Newport either.
    Tennis fans might. But not otherwise.
    Oh – and by the way, I have been to Newport, although not to the tournament. It’s a very nice place.

  • catherine · October 28, 2017 at 3:22 am

    Duke – Moya dumped Flavia – she was very hurt I believe.
    The marriage will last I’m sure. Flavia was with Fabio for a while before they were engaged/married so I think she knew what she was getting into.

  • Duke Carnoustie · October 28, 2017 at 11:34 am

    Fed is just demolishing Goffin. Making him look worse than Tiafoe.

  • Hartt · October 28, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    The Moya dumping Flavia story is kind of interesting because she actually wrote a book about how heart-broken she was. I think her marriage should be fine, although we never know what any marriage is really like. She has said that Fabio is very different off the court (and other players have said the same thing). From things he has said he does respect her, even thinks she should play tennis again. And she seems like someone who is willing to take a back seat, which I imagine is a necessary quality when dealing with Fognini.

  • catherine · October 28, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    I’d like to think that when Flavia’s children (not Fabio) are old enough she’ll return to Italian tennis and maybe help nurture another generation of girls – I doubt she wants to play again competively though.

    Moya did her a favour IMO however painful the breakup must have been.

  • jg · October 28, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    Tommy Paul is in the Charlottesville draw, looks like a good tournament. I was down at that site a few weeks ago for a conference and played with the Boars head pro (UVA plays its indoor matches there). It’s the nicest indoor facility I have seen, I would encourage anyone in the vicinity to check it out.

  • Duke Carnoustie · October 28, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    Crazy that Flavia would write a book just about Moya.

    Anyone think DelPo will beat Fed? I think on this surface Fed will win like he did in Shanghai. Fed really looks unstoppable on these fast courts. I think he wins Paris too.

  • Duke Carnoustie · October 28, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    Jared Donaldson loses in qualies to Garcia-Lopez. This confirms that the U.S. youngsters are hitting the wall again.
    Expect JD to go down in flames in Milan.

  • Duke Carnoustie · October 28, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    Pouille beats Edmund, faces Tsonga on Sunday and then Edmund again in Paris with the winner to lose to Fed.

  • catherine · October 28, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    Duke – Italians really go for those true romance things and an ill-starred love story between two nice looking tennis players would have sold really well I bet πŸ™‚

  • Hartt · October 28, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    Tsitsipas will play the final of the Brest Challenger tomorrow _ I can’t read my writing to know his opponent, someone I have not heard of. Stefanos is now No. 88 in the live rankings.

    In other youngsters news, Shapo was bumped up from qualies to the main draw of Paris – will face Benneteau in R1. Coric won his first qualies match – lots of good players in the Paris qualies.

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 28, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Catherine; If the Hall of Fame was in Anchorage Alaska I wouldn't care either but it's in Newport and few places in this planet are nicer than Newport RI.

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 28, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    I guess Moya's presence with Rafa makes those Rafa vs Fog matches more interesting πŸ™‚

  • catherine · October 29, 2017 at 3:20 am

    Scoop – I agree about Newport – was there for the day after the USO one year, looked over the HOF etc and visited a very good restaurant πŸ™‚

    Went with a photographer called Carol Newsom (now d’d) – don’t know if you ever came across her ?

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 29, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Catherine; Lots of very good restaurants in Newport and outside Newport. I saw Carol out and about at tennis tournaments but never met her. It's hard to meet with photographers at a tournament as everyone is always hustling. But I have gotten to know and spend time talking with Bob Strauss, Mel Digiacomo, Al Bello, June Harrison, Angelo Tonelli, Luigi, and the Polish guys Andy Kentla and Wojciech Kubik. Also Benjamin Woods who has attended over 100 majors in a row.

  • catherine · October 29, 2017 at 9:20 am

    Yes – maybe it was easier to get to know photogs in my day if you were an editor because everyone was trying to sell their work. Of course when I told them our rates most of the top ones quickly melted away πŸ™‚

    Singapore – looks like Caroline (Garcia) did a lot of Caroline (Wozniaki’s) work for her. Woz in SS and Venus probably pretty tired.

  • Hartt · October 29, 2017 at 10:05 am

    The Singapore match was a lot of fun. Both women played well overall, with many winners. The first set was very close, Woz took it 6-4. Then she had a huge lead in the second and Venus came roaring back. Once again it ended up being a close set. I am not a Woz fan, but have to admit she played extremely well in this match to win over Venus. Woz is much more enjoyable to watch when she is a bit more aggressive, like she was today, to go along with her remarkable retrieving.

  • catherine · October 29, 2017 at 10:26 am

    Hartt – yes, Woz seems to have discovered her inner aggression and self-belief somewhere – played well when she had to in Singapore, which hasn’t always been the case in previous tournaments.

    I hope Caroline Garcia carries on developing – she could be a dominating player in a year or so.

    Zhuhai this week – could be interesting. Sloane Stephens and Coco are there for US but not Madison – injury I assume. Angie is entered to date, together with Julia Georges who has taken her No 1 spot in Germany. They will probably play each other if it is round-robin.
    Last throw of the dice this season for main WTA events. No predictions from me πŸ™‚

  • catherine · October 29, 2017 at 10:40 am

    Who’s going to poach Sascha Bajin ?

  • Scoop Malinowski · October 29, 2017 at 10:44 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Quite a hefty and important win for Caro Wozniacki who has struggled and battled her way back to being an elite player when it was beginning to look like she might be washed up. Just goes to show you that it's folly to count out any great champion. Now you have to consider that Wozniacki could use this big win as a springboard to her first major like Mauresmo did. Beating Venus has always been a major difficulty for Caro but now she has solved this puzzle which could help her to solve the Serena puzzle next year.

  • Dan Markowitz · October 29, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    Of course the Hall of Fame has importance. At the end of a career, what do you have to hang your hat on achievement-wise that’s bigger than making the Hall of Fame? Slams won, that’s all. Making the hall means more than you were just a great player. And that’s why I wouldn’t put Moya in because I don’t think of him as a great player, only a very good one.

    But with Chang, he’s the only Asian male player ever to win a slam and he won it at 17 so he had impact on the sport that goes beyond the sport. I’d put in Kafelnikov because he was the first Russian player to win a slam I believe and begot players like Davydenko, Youzhny and Safin.

    I wouldn’t put Rios in because he failed woefully in the one slam finals he played in and you can’t put a player in the hall unless he’s won at least one slam. Also, Rios was a complete jerk. I remember approaching him in New Haven when I was doing a magazine article on Agassi and he told me if we weren’t going to talk about him, he wasn’t going to answer any questions. That’s his choice, but what comes around goes around.

  • catherine · October 29, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    Dan – I don’t know if you are just referring to men and to singles titles but there are players in the HOF who haven’t won a GS singles title.

  • Hartt · October 29, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    Fed just won the Basel title over Delpo in a match that was too close for comfort for this Fed fan. Both played well overall. Fed had a lot of UFEs but a lot of winners as well, so he was being aggressive. He missed some easy shots on big points, so that was a bit shocking. Delpo won the first set TB. He served very well throughout the match, but Fed found some of his old magic to squeak through. It his his 8th Basel title and title No. 95, which puts him 1 ahead of Lendl, and behind only Connors, who has 109 titles.

    The ball kids got their medals and will soon get their pizza. Fed got a very impressive trophy. And soon I will get my Lindt chocolate! πŸ™‚

  • catherine · October 29, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    Hartt – even Federer can’t be perfect every match ! At least you got your chocolate πŸ™‚

  • Hartt · October 29, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    I suppose Fed can’t be perfect every match. But he was in amazing form yesterday and totally destroyed poor Goffin. I was hoping to see that Roger again today. But to give Delpo credit, he played very well and made things tough for Roger.

  • Hartt · October 29, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    Doubles News: Youngsters Khachanov and Rublev are playing doubles in Paris tomorrow. They are up against Lopez x 2, so that will be a tough match. But Andrew would be pleased.

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