Dominik Hrbaty: Former Slovakian won six ATP singles title was also known for tormenting Roger Federer with two three set wins over the Swiss maestro in Cincy and Paris Bercy before Fed finally won their last meeting at Wimbledon in Hrbaty’s final tournament in 2008.
Jiri Novak: The Czech baseliner won seven singles titles and over $7.6 million with a career singles record of 337-260. Best win was arguably the rout of Pete Sampras in the 2000 Davis Cup tie in LA, 76 63 62.
Irina Spirlea: Romanian former no. 7 in the world reached the SF of 97 US Open and won over $2.6 million in prize money. She won four WTA titles in singles and six in doubles.
Mal Washington: Wimbledon finalist in 1996 won four ATP singles titles and posted an impressive 254-184 W/L record.
David Nalbandian: The talented Argentine is rarely talked about today but the smooth artist performed some magical results in beating the likes of Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic. Nalby won eleven singles titles including the Masters Cup 2005 in Shanghai ini five sets from two sets down to Federer.
Andrei Medvedev: Ukrainian was four in the world once and played in the Roland Garros final. He won eleven ATP singles titles.
Thomas Johansson: Swede won nine ATP singles titles and the Australian Open in 2002. Most recently he was coaching Greek WTA player Maria Sakkari at the US Open.
Nikolay Davydenko: The German-based Russian won 21 career titles and on his best day could manhandle the likes of Federer and Nadal. Won the Masters Cup in 2009 beating Del Potro in the final in 2009 in London 63 64.
Filip DeWulf: From a small village of Belgium, DeWulf won two ATP singles titles in Kitzbuhel and Vienna. He’s also one of four players in history to reach a Grand Slam semifinal as a qualifier.
Hicham Arazi: The Moroccan lefty won one title in 1997 in Casablanca but had a stylish, freeflowing play style that made for many memorable matches against the likes or Agassi, Rios, Rafter.
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1 2 Next »Duke Carnoustie · September 16, 2017 at 1:53 am
Nick Kyrgios outlasts Darcis in Davis Cup and AUS-BEL is at 1-1. Kyrgios had some interesting things to say about Tomic, saying Tomic has lost his way and the two have no contact. Look up those comments, some more interesting things by NK.
Duke Carnoustie · September 16, 2017 at 2:17 am
Why is Richard Gasquet playing a Challenger in Poland? He is No. 30 in the world. Has anyone been ranked higher and played one?
Hartt · September 16, 2017 at 9:20 am
Denis Shapovalov won the first 5-set match he has ever played, beating India’s Bhambri in yesterday’s Davis Cup tie. He won the first 2 sets, then lost the next two. Bhambri took a bathroom break that lasted nearly 10 minutes after the fourth set, but if they thought they could rattle the kid they were mistaken. Denis rallied to take the fifth set 6-1.
Along with his obvious skill, Shapo once again showed his mental toughness in winning that match. With Raonic out after wrist surgery and Pospisil dealing with a problem disc in his back (he is scheduled for doubles only), and the other singles player DC rookie Brayden Schnur, Canada’s DC hopes rest on Denis’ young shoulders. Right now the score stands 1-1 after Ramanathan beat Schnur in 4 sets in the opening rubber.
Scoop Malinowski · September 16, 2017 at 6:40 pm
Well Denis one upped Pete Sampras who lost his first five setter at US Open in 88 to Jaime Yzaga. Shapovalov continues to achieve incredible feats. Bhambri has beaten Kozlov and Monfils in Wash DC this summer.
Scoop Malinowski · September 16, 2017 at 6:41 pm
Duke: I believe Gasquet wants points and the Challenger in Poland is special to him because he played it when he was a teenager.
catherine · September 17, 2017 at 6:01 am
Before the main China t’ments I glanced at the WTA ‘Race to Singapore’ (driven by Porsche this year) and what a difference a year makes – 2016 winner Cibulkova languishing at 20 and runner-up Kerber at 18.The top ladies pictured all glammed up and featuring what we term the ‘Croydon Facelift’ – hair pulled back so tight as to cause a permanent expression of surprise 🙂
Well – we need something to smile about….
Hartt · September 17, 2017 at 9:28 am
The Davis Cup tie tells the tale of the old and the new for Canada. There is 45-year-old Daniel Nestor, playing in his 51st DC tie, with a record of 33-11. And 18-year-old Denis Shapovalov, in just his third tie (Shapo played, and won, a dead rubber in Halifax in 2016).
Both guys are crucial for Canada to win this tie. Danny has not had success over the summer and admitted he felt burned out afterwards. But he did his bit in winning over India in yesterday’s doubles. Despite a calf injury that may have affected his serve he can still play some good doubles. As the Indian “First Post” wrote: “The Canadian’s old hands, however, remembered enough touch to carry the team through on big points.” The key player among the 4 was Vasek Pospisil. Thankfully, Vashy’s back seemed OK during the match, allowing him to serve well and to make some athletic gets.
So today it is about the youngster. Shapo has shown he can handle the big moments and there are few bigger than winning a Davis Cup tie and keeping you country in the World Group.
catherine · September 17, 2017 at 11:03 am
France to play probably Aust in 2017 final. French players really seem up for team events but not so much in singles. Pourquoi ?
catherine · September 17, 2017 at 2:55 pm
France to play Belgium.
Hartt · September 17, 2017 at 3:28 pm
That is going to be one exciting Davis Cup final. Over 47,000 spectators were at the SF tie in Lille. Fans in both countries will be thrilled to have their teams in the final.
Scoop Malinowski · September 17, 2017 at 8:20 pm
I’m surprised Capn Hewitt went with Thompson vs Darcis in the last match. They played first round at US Open last year on grandstand and Thompson was up two sets and had one or two match points in the third set and blew the set, the fourth set and then the fifth set. Obviously Darcis has a major mental edge on Thompson. Not sure what the Millman head to head was vs Darcis but clearly Thompson is psyched out by Darcis who has zero fear of Thompson. Might have to call this a misplay or even a blunder by Capn Hewitt.
Duke Carnoustie · September 17, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Scoop, Nalbandian a forgotten player? He had a great career. No one talks about him because no one talks about tennis but he was an outstanding player.
I nominate three other Slam finalists, Robin Soderling and Arnaud Clement and Rainer Schüttler.
Scoop Malinowski · September 17, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Duke, Media coverage is oversaturated with Fed Rafa Serena. Great players like Nalbandian are not talked about. I had forgotten him too until a friend mentioned him while we were on court this week. I felt guilty for forgetting about such a superb player and the way he played and some of his absolutely monumental wins. Nalbandian was to Fed and Rafa what Joe Frazier was too Ali. Nalbandian should be synonymous with Fed and Rafa like Frazier is with Ali. He should always be mentioned and perpetually celebrated so no one ever forgets just like no one ever forgets Joe Frazier and George Foreman.
Scoop Malinowski · September 17, 2017 at 8:51 pm
Soderling reminds me of Mark Whiten, who had the greatest day in baseball as a hitter, in one extraordinary performance he hit FOUR HOME RUNS and slugged in 12 RBIs. Nobody has ever done better than that, not Ruth, Aaron, A-Rod, McGwire, Reggie Jackson, Jeter, Bonds. I think Mark Whiten should be inducted into the Hall of Fame based on that one game. Just like Isner and Mahut should be put into the Hall of Fame based on one match. And Soderling’s KO of Rafa in Roland Garros was a similarly awe-inspiring display of tennis or sporting genius.
Hartt · September 17, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Denis Shapovalov won his match against Bhambri in Davis Cup today, ensuring that Canada stays in the World Group. He won in SS under what had to be tremendous pressure. I still can’t get over the way this 18-year-old kid manages to rise to the big occasions. In an article about Shapo on the Laver Cup site they call him “Braveheart Shapovalov” and it seems fitting.
Hartt · September 17, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Correction: Shapovalov played against Ramanathan today. Brayden Schnur played against Bhambri in the dead rubber (Bambri won in a close match).
catherine · September 18, 2017 at 2:29 am
Self-punishment department – Kerber and Osaka meet again today in Tokyo.
catherine · September 18, 2017 at 2:37 am
Well Angie looks cheerful anyway. But that’s in practice and as soon as she steps on court the terminal stage-fright will kick in.
And are 2 coaches a good thing ?
Is Osaka Japanese or not ? Maybe in Japan.
catherine · September 18, 2017 at 2:59 am
Davis Cup this weekend is a good reason to leave the format as it is. You’d never get that crowd support and atmosphere in a one-site event
catherine · September 18, 2017 at 4:48 am
Angie wins SS. Minor match in a minor tournament but that must have meant a lot to her.
catherine · September 18, 2017 at 6:14 am
Hartt –
When will Felix be playing DC ?
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2017 at 7:25 am
Agree Catherine, and I like that sometimes lower ranked lesser name players get thrown into the cauldron of Davis Cup pressure. It’s good that it’s not always Rafa and Fed, and the same mix of players. Thompson, Darcis, Millman, Lajovic, etc get the opportunity to shine and boost their careers. I’m in favor of keeping the format just the way it is like you.
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2017 at 7:28 am
Hartt; Do you remember when Spain put Rafa into the fifth rubber of the tie vs Czech in Czech Rep vs Stepanek? Rafa was 17 or 18 and they put him into that match and he beat veteran Stepanek in three close sets. Shapovalov is showing all the same signs of greatness as Rafa. Big win for Nestor who had not won a doubles match in over two months.
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2017 at 7:30 am
Felix could be called to Davis Cup duty within the next year if Pospisil doesn’t get his act together. Felix still has not had his breakout ATP main tour match win yet. I suppose it will come soon. Very soon.
Hartt · September 18, 2017 at 8:18 am
The commies for the Davis Cup tie thought Felix could be playing DC next year. But in an interview, when asked why Felix was not at this tie, Martin Laurendeau said they don’t want to push Felix too fast, want to give him time to develop. If Milos is finally healthy he will be back in the mix. Laurendeau will have the great problem of several players to choose from. And Nestor indicated he’d like to continue playing DC for a bit. It was great to see him playing well in this match.
Felix’s wrist injury this summer put him back a bit. Otherwise he would have been playing in Rogers Cup on his 17th birthday. Who knows, maybe he would have had his own breakout at that tourney. 🙂
Hartt · September 18, 2017 at 9:55 am
Wang defeated Mladenovic 6-0, 6-0 in Tokyo! Kiki is in total free fall.
Duke Carnoustie · September 18, 2017 at 11:07 am
Wow Kiki needs to hang it up and regroup next season. By what I see, she has lost 14 sets in a row in 7 straight losses.
catherine · September 18, 2017 at 11:11 am
Hartt – you really wonder about a score like that.Scoop would call it a tank but I should imagine she either wasn’t physically fit or she had a complete mental collapse.
Maybe she doesn’t want to play anymore 🙂
Hartt · September 18, 2017 at 11:31 am
What is so strange is that she has been in a slump for a while now. I am not a fan, but you do wonder what is happening with her.
catherine · September 18, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Hartt – I believe some players do actually get tired of playing but it’s not something they could ever admit. Perhaps the WTA should provide an opportunity for a sabbatical – give a player a chance to stand back and take a break and decide if the life is really for them. A game is not worth suffering over. Not past a certain point.
Had a look at Osaka/Kerber – Angie played with a lot more spirit than we’ve seen for a while. Osaka can be tough. Good serve.
Angie said her strategy is to play one point at a time as well as she can which sounds absolutely self-evident but if you play one point at a time you will shut out a lot of extraneous and distracting stuff and if you win every point then you will win the match 🙂
Bit early to say but maybe 2 coaches is working. Simona also has 2 now. Of course it’s extra expense.
Jens Maass · September 18, 2017 at 12:50 pm
hey…when I discussed the “forgotten greats” theme with Dima Sitak (whose brother is big at doubles nowadays) he reminded me of HIS claycourt role model, Willi CORIA. this guy was almost unbeatable until he lost to El Gato in the French Final. Also Tom Muster should be worth mentioning…Maybe Stich and Kafel? — loads to pick from, though. Wonderful sportsmen. Just found your page and love it!
dan markowitz · September 18, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Catherine,
If Angie doesn’t have a publicist, she should call you. I don’t think she can do any better.
Hartt, is the 47,000 in Belgium a combine three-day number? The arena they held it in was very dark, but I can’t imagine it held 47,000.
How about yet another King doing well? Kevin King I think won the Challenger in Cary NC. That makes Kevin, Darius and Evan all Kings.
catherine · September 18, 2017 at 2:20 pm
Ha ha Dan I thought I’d be hearing from you – I’m not apologising for talking about Angie here – she played Osaka who thrashed her at USO and reversed the result and that’s worth a mention. Actually I didn’t even know she was playing in Tokyo until I saw the scores so I’d be a pretty bad publicist.
Hartt talks about Shapovalov a lot but of course he’s a guy so that’s ok 🙂
Hartt · September 18, 2017 at 6:15 pm
Dan, the 47,000 figure is for the attendance over 3 days in Lille, France. The French do love their tennis and it’s great they will be in the final against Belgium, which apparently will be played in France.
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Forgot about Raonic already, his window seems to be closing fast. Pospisil is fading too. Hopefully the surge of Shap and Felix will get those guys on the ball similar to how Andrew Miller always said Fritz’s sudden success was a wake up call for Q Isner DY Harrison.
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Kiki please call Vince Spadea. You’re welcome.
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Catherine, No player would ever tank a 0606 beatdown. She’s either hurt or her confidence tank is bone dry empty.
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2017 at 10:11 pm
“Angie said her strategy was play one point at a time” – that has to be about as profound and inspiring advice as “throw the jab!” is for a boxer 🙂 Or Rick Macci’s world shaking philosophy of “HIT HARDER!”
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2017 at 10:19 pm
Jens; Artem Sitak has risen into being a name player now in doubles. I saw him play in Newport against Paes and Groth. Guillermo Coria was the King of Clay for that one year when he blew the French Open final up two sets vs Gaudio. Coria was a machine and a wizard on the dirt. He dominated red clay. Beautiful player to watch and for sure a forgotten great. I remember young Andy Murray saying he was a big fan and admirer of Coria but he hasn’t mentioned him in a while. Muster and Stich were great but they don’t pop up much at any of the big tournaments so they don’t get talked about. I like when the ex player TV commentators talk about their peer players and share stories, wish they would do that more than always talking about the same stuff like Fed’s footwork and Rafa’s topspin and Venus’s Sjogrens. Thanks for your comments Jens and welcome to the site.
catherine · September 19, 2017 at 3:06 am
Scoop –
I wasn’t serious about that 0-0 being a tank job. No one could be that blatant. As others have pointed out Mladenovic has been in a slump and it seems to me that she really would like to stop playing for a while – but it’s hard to get off the treadmill.
About Angie’s strategy – sounds simplistic but as I suggested I believe it’s right for her in that concentrating on points, being ‘present in the moment’ if you like, will help block out the interference of pressures from the outside which can cause her so much anxiety. That’s what happened to her at the USO and the result was awful to watch. I never thought she had a hope in NY. She put on this ‘positive’ act for the media but it was whistling in the dark. She even seemed tense and anxious practising.
Angie’s not articulate in describing how she plays – not in English and possibly not in German either. Just spouts the usual stuff. If her coaches are any good they’ll identify solutions to problems and present them to her in a straightforward way and she’ll go out and perform. Not to say she’ll always win of course. But it is primarily a mental thing. She hit some nice shots v Osaka.
catherine · September 19, 2017 at 8:08 am
Scoop – a comment on your other sport. Do you think someone can take up boxing late in life ? English footballer Rio Ferdinand, now retired, wants to become a boxer at 38. Is it possible ? He’s not the first – a few years ago Andrew Flintoff, retired English cricketer, did the same and had a few fights. Didn’t win any. I don’t know what makes these guys think they can do this – most boxers start pretty young don’t they ? Same as tennis players.
Scoop Malinowski · September 19, 2017 at 9:02 am
Catherine; It’s an interesting topic. Yes, there have been several world champion boxers who started late in their early twenties. James Bonecrusher Smith finished college and started boxing and actually became WBA Heavyweight champion by first round knockout against Tim Witherspoon and he later boxed against Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson. Dwight Braxton got out of jail in his later 20s and took up boxing. He told me while in jail he saw a world title fight on TV between Mike Rossman vs Victor Galindez and he thought to himself, I could beat both of those guys. And he was right, even though he was short at five foot eight or seven and weighted 175 pounds, a year of so later he got out of jail and started boxing and I think in about four years he won the title vs Matthew Saad Muhummad and had many world title fights, later even fighting George Foreman at heavyweight. Incredible career by Braxton who became Dwight Muhammad Qawi after he won the title. Sergio Martinez of Spain started boxing in his early 20s and became a great champion in the previous decade. He lost his first big fight against Antonio Margarito but he later became WBC Super Welterweight champion and his best win was a first round KO of the dangerous Paul Williams. Williams would have beaten Floyd Mayweather who knew to avoid Martinez who eventually had a knee problem from years of overtraining and lost his last fight a few years ago to Miguel Cotto. But he was very very good for a few years and one of the very best in the entire sport. Other sports athletes have tried boxing after their careers ended in other sports. Ed Too Tall Jones was a Dallas Cowboy lineman and he tried boxing in the early 80s and won seven fights and had a draw but quit because he just wasn’t very good. Mark Gastineau of the New York Jets also tried boxing and had a few pro fights but was nothing special. Another NFL player Alonzo Highsmith also tried but had minimal success. Anthony Mundine of Aussie Rules football also did boxing and I believe won a minor title and was a top ten challenger at 168 pounds for years not long ago. Rio Ferdinand is a big name and so there will probably be media interest and the concept will sell in England but I would suspect he will be carefully protected with pretty easy fights. I have a boxing site if you care to take a look … http://www.ringobserver.com
catherine · September 19, 2017 at 9:32 am
Thanks – I’ll dip in to that site.
catherine · September 19, 2017 at 1:19 pm
Simona, Angie, double up on coaches, Pliskova goes coachless – what’s best ?
Thomas Tung · September 19, 2017 at 1:26 pm
I also recall that Sonny Bill Williams (of rugby union and rugby league fame) had a few boxing fights as well (mostly to showcase him for the 2 rugby codes) — they were definitely “protected fights”, but it added to his aura as a tough guy on and off the field.
catherine · September 19, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Thing about Ferdinand (or any others who want to follow that path) is whether the British Boxing Board of Control will issue a licence. If not, Ferdinand can’t fight. He says he wants to get rid of some of his anger over his wife’s early death which doesn’t seem to me a good motive.
Back to tennis – re coaches above I meant to ask if there are any other top players, male of female, currently competing without a coach – Kvitova ? It’s hard to keep up.
scoopmalinowski · September 19, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Kyrgios no coach.
scoopmalinowski · September 19, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Add Gisela Dulko as another forgotten player.
Hartt · September 19, 2017 at 6:07 pm
Ka. Pliskova just split with her coach and will be coachless, at least for a while.
Hartt · September 19, 2017 at 6:10 pm
Just saw that Pliskova was already mentioned.