[Roger The Great]

So, I thought it would be interesting to go back and see which players over the last 20-25 years have had the best records vs. top ten players when it matters most: At the Grand Slams. I was able to find pretty accurate records at the ATP's site back to about 1985 or else I would have gone back further. The US Open doesn't have updated rankings for each player until 1988. Those few years I was able to figure easily enough. So who has built their successes against the best of the best? And who has done it on the backs of weaker players?

Here's the W-L and winning percentage of the greats of the game since 1985 vs. top 10 players at the time of the tournament (* denotes player is still active):


*R. Federer - 30-9 (76.9%)
P. Sampras - 30-11 (73.1%)
*G. Kuerten - 8-3 (72.7%)
B. Becker - 22-15 (59.4%)
*M. Safin - 11-8 (57.8%)
M. Wilander - 11-9 (55.0%)
*R. Nadal - 6-5 (54.5%)
I. Lendl - 18-16 (52.9%)
S. Edberg - 20-18 (52.6%)
A. Agassi - 25-25 (50.0%)
J. Courier - 16-16 (50.0%)
S. Bruguera - 7-8 (46.6%)
J. McEnroe - 7-9 (43.7%)
*JC Ferrero - 8-11 (42.1%)
*C. Moya - 6-9 (40.0%)
P. Rafter - 6-11 (35.2%)
G. Ivanisevic - 7-14 (33.3%)
M. Chang - 8-17 (32.0%)
*L. Hewitt - 7-15 (31.8%)
T. Muster - 5-11 (31.2%)
Y. Kafelnikov - 4-12 (25.0%)
*A. Roddick - 3-9 (25.0%)
M. Rios - 2-7 (22.2%)

 

[sheeter]

Well, at least someone was lower then Roddick. Expected Fed to be where he is. Thought Nadal would be higher.

 

[juninhOH]

thats misleading

kuerten has only 3 losses because for a few exceptions (3 titles and 2 qf I think) he always lost in the early rounds
lendl, on the other side, has huge amount of losses because he used to lose in the late stages of the slams, finals or semi-finals.

still its interesting.

 

[NYCtennisfan]

It just goes to show how incredible Fed's run is. Playing a fellow top 10 or 5 or 2 or whatever at the end of the tournament is extremely difficult since you are playing a very talented player who has had success and is playing well. Anything above .500 is pretty darn good. 70% is extraordinarily good.

ONe other note: Federer has almost played as many matches against top 10'ers as Pete did. When they went to a 32 seed system, more of the top ranked players made their way through the draw and so a player has to win more matches against the top players to win slams.

 

[NYCtennisfan]

Oh--great thread.

 

[FedFan_2007]

Fed's current 10 slam run(won 8 lost 2), 68-2, with 2 losses to fellow top 10er Nadal.

2005 Wimbledon - Won
2005 US Open - Won
2006 Australian Open - Won
2006 French Open - lost final
2006 Wimbledon - Won
2006 US Open - Won
2007 Australian Open - Won
2007 French Open - lost final
2007 Wimbledon - Won
2007 US Open - Won

 

[sheeter]

Fed's current 10 slam run(won 8 lost 2), 68-2, with 2 losses to fellow top 10er Nadal.

2005 Wimbledon - Won
2005 US Open - Won
2006 Australian Open - Won
2006 French Open - lost final
2006 Wimbledon - Won
2006 US Open - Won
2007 Australian Open - Won
2007 French Open - lost final
2007 Wimbledon - Won
2007 US Open - Won

Its a good thing Nadal is around, reminding us Federer isn't the omniscient, all powerful god of grand slams.

 

[Federerhingis]

Well, at least someone was lower then Roddick. Expected Fed to be where he is. Thought Nadal would be higher.

I know I thought Nadal would be higher nonetheless, he does the best usually against Roger who is the current best so that in itself is pretty darn good.

 

[Adler]

Its a good thing Nadal is around, reminding us Federer isn't the omniscient, all powerful god of grand slams.

On the other hand, Federer deserves to win THE Grand Slam, and the only missing pearl in the crown
is French Open

 

[sheeter]

On the other hand, Federer deserves to win THE Grand Slam, and the only missing pearl in the crown
is French Open

Are you insinuating Nadal doesn't deserve to win a grand slam, let alone the French?

 

[RagingLamb]

if you still have the numbers, would you be able to give the sum of the ranks they've faced? Or maybe the average + the standard deviations?

Thanks.

 

[Roger The Great]

if you still have the numbers, would you be able to give the sum of the ranks they've faced? Or maybe the average + the standard deviations?

Thanks.

Are you looking for the average rank of the top 10 players they've faced?

 

[dijus]

interesting stats, thanks

 

[ChinoRios4Ever]

Chino

 

[RagingLamb]

Are you looking for the average rank of the top 10 players they've faced?

that would do, or may be the sum of the ranks of the players they've faced.

i'm just trying to get an estimate of any deviations in the competition, (e.g. did one player get more of the top 5 etc.).

if you have the numbers. if not, then it's ok.

 

[stebs]

Federer deserves to win THE Grand Slam

Why?

 

[sheeter]

Thanks for agreeing with me Stebs. Why does Fed deserve to win "THE Grand Slam" any more than Nadal or some other dedicated player???

 

[juninhOH]

to the hell with the grand slam

federer has lost his opportunity, he will never make the 4 finals in the same season anymore.

he deserves the french open more than anyone now tho.

 

[sheeter]

to the hell with the grand slam

federer has lost his opportunity, he will never make the 4 finals in the same season anymore.

he deserves the french open more than anyone now tho.

I think the mighty Fed can still make at least three GS finals (AO, Wimby, U.S. Open) and win them all. I feel he still even has a shot at the French, though I think Rafa will block his way. Its a strange feeling wanting Fed to win the French, yet not wanting Rafa to lose there.

 

[jcempire]

G. Kuerten - 8-3 (72.7%)

Wow