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  • Roger Federer [SUI]

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    Votes: 13 21.7%

7 Wimbledon Titles. Who is Real King of Grass?: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

9K views 84 replies 42 participants last post by  TigerTim 
#1 · (Edited)
Both has 7 Wimbledon titles but Renshaw has 6 consecutive titles from 1881-1886 and a further 6 Wimbledon titles in doubles. Both were runner-up once. Fed in 2008 and Renshaw in 1890.

Federer is obviously the more versatile player on other surfaces as Renshaw never won the US Open (The only other Grand Slam) but this thread is purely about grass.

Renshaw was Serve & Volley (Renshaw rush) and both were known for their powerful forehands

They also had similar rivals. Renshaw's opponents were Herbert Lawford 3x times, John Hartey 1x and Ernest Renshaw 3x. Roger's opponents were Roddick 3x, Nadal 2x, Murray 1x and Philippoussis 1x.

Renshaw's brother his rival had won Wimbledon once unlike Roddick (Though both I guess were good grass court rivals) while Nadal won Wimbledon once. (Though Nadal is not a grass-court specialist like Ernest Renshaw)

Honestly I think unless Fed takes another Wimbledon to break the tie, the title slightly goes to Renshaw

However I suppose we do have to consider that Renshaw had automatic entry to following year's Wimbledon final since back then Champions only had to wait for someone to earn the privilege of playing him in the final by beating everyone else while Renshaw sat back playing no matches. This could be a disadvantage for Renshaw since he would not be able to play himself into form in the earlier rounds like Federer often does when he starts off slow in slams.

So who is the true king of Grass? :confused:
 
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#2 ·
Re: Who is the King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

Duuuuuuuude, those were really different times, I don't know how you want to compare THOSE eras.
I can understand the same question between Federer and Sampras, or even Perry or those people, but going way long ago to the 1800s... I think it's impossible to even imagine.
 
#41 ·
Re: Who is the King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

Duuuuuuuude, those were really different times, I don't know how you want to compare THOSE eras.
I can understand the same question between Federer and Sampras, or even Perry or those people, but going way long ago to the 1800s... I think it's impossible to even imagine.
This. No offence but this thread is pointless and pretty stupid
 
#3 · (Edited)
Re: Who is the King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

Only Renshaw and Federer won 7 Wimbledons (And Sampras). No one else. That's why we're comparing.

I don't buy that "Oh the eras are too different argument."

This is to determine who is really the true king of grass of all time. Fred Perry? He only won Wimbledon ONCE. Both Renshaw and Federer had eras named after them.
 
#5 ·
Re: Who is the King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

Only Renshaw and Federer won 7 Wimbledons. No one else. That's why we're comparing.
Sampras :facepalm:

I don't buy that "Oh the eras are too different argument."
Yea sports have not evolved in 100 years :facepalm::facepalm:

This is to determine who is really the true king of grass of all time. Fred Perry? He only won Wimbledon ONCE. Both Renshaw and Federer had eras named after them.
Because Wimbledon is the only Major ever held on grass :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
 
#4 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

and how exactly do you want anyone here to evaluate mr.renshaw's game?
 
#7 ·
The US Open at this time was also held on grass but no one dominated the US Open like these two guys had at Wimbledon.

Has anyone won 7 grass US Open titles?
Tilden I think.

And Sampras won 7 wimbledon titles, so you should count him as well.

Laver won 9 grass court slams just for you to know. :)
 
#14 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

1. Snoop Dogg

far behind

2. Federer
 
#15 ·
#17 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

Pete Sampras
 
#20 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?







 
#25 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

Oh tough call, I think I will watch some Renshaw's youtube tributes to decide first... Oh, they use to play with werewolves and vampires as crowd those days, Probably Im asking too much :rolleyes:
 
#27 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

All 3 were Kings in their eras.

I have no idea how good Renshaw's opposition was compared to him though.
 
#31 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

virtually no competition in late 1800s when tennis was introduced, not to mention it wasn't really an international sport at that time, you were typically only playing against played from your own country. lack of competition and depth of field obviously kills Renshaw's resume

Federer obviously probably is the much better grass court player, Renshaw's accomplishments could not parallel Roger's any more in the degree of difficulty when comparing respective times. there are definitely multiple other players who technically were 'better grass court players'
 
#33 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

virtually no competition in late 1800s when tennis was introduced, not to mention it wasn't really an international sport at that time, you were typically only playing against played from your own country. lack of competition and depth of field obviously kills Renshaw's resume

Federer obviously probably is the much better grass court player, Renshaw's accomplishments could not parallel Roger's any more in the degree of difficulty when comparing respective times. there are definitely multiple other players who technically were 'better grass court players'
Are you sure about this?

I can't believe everyone here is writing Renshaw off when his record of 6 consecutive Wimbledons will probably be never matched EVER. Tennis was just as competitive back then as it was today, just different people.
 
#32 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

Note in the first three pics Humblerer has his t shirt on

And then the monstrosity that is cardiganerer arrives :tape: :facepalm:
 
#34 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

If you count opponent Roddick's amazing, inspiring volleys and light body & aerodynamic bald head, yes, Rogi is the greatest tactician of all.
 
#42 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

A bunch of 210 pound players now is better than the magicians of the 1880s LOLOLOL
 
#58 ·
Re: Who is the Real King of Grass: William Renshaw vs Roger Federer?

Renshaw played in an era when dukes and bishops contested Wimbledon. It was a truly elitist sport back then.

Also, he only had to play one match each time.
TRUE! Wimbledon was not the only important grass court tournament until the USO went off grass. In the Renshaw, Laver eras most tournaments were on grass, therefore, there were more high quality grass court players. This era is probably the weakest grass court era ever. Therefore, my ranking would be: LAVER, SAMPRAS, FEDERER. ROSEWALL and GONZALEZ were very great grass court players too, but lost over 10 of their peak years at Wimby, US, and Australin grass court slams. Laver lost 5 years
 
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