I met Mecir in Hong Kong in 1988, an event which he won. A very, very nice man and I still have a photo of him posing patiently for my camera. Absolutely brilliant player to watch, incredibly talented, and its just a shame that injuries cut his career short. If he'd stayed healthy, I've no doubt he'd have won multiple GS titles.
@ Jonathan916. Even if Mecir's pro tennis career had not been cut short by injuries, it is very unlikely that he would have won any major singles titles because of his crummy serve. He should have developed a good strong, offensive serve early in his career (instead of continuing to hit his weak American twist serve throughout his career which had nothing on it) to give opponents difficulty returning his serve. At least Edberg got good velocity on his American twist serve.
It is a shame that Miloslav Mecir had such a crummy serve. If he had developed a good, strong offensive serve to complement his excellent groundstrokes, he would have accomplished more than he did in his pro tennis career. His American twist serve had just about nothing on it which meant he couldn't win a lot of free points with his serve. The hard court surface at the 1987 Lipton International tournament was a medium slow hard court which enabled Mecir to return Lendl's big first serve fairly effectively. Mecir had Edberg defeated when he led Edberg 2 sets to love in their 1988 Wimbledon semifinal, but one must give credit to Edberg for a tremendous comeback in that match to defeat Mecir and get to and win his first Wimbledon final against Becker.
@ QGodofGods RulerofAll. Not to be picky but the correct term is "major" not "slam" when referring to one of the 4 major tennis tournaments - just like in pro golf in which they use the proper term "major" not "slam" in referring to a major golf tournament.
This tournament had a 128 player draw size, and best of 5 set matches in every round. It had a larger draw size and awarded more prize money and ranking points than the Australian Open (96 player draw size), that year. Mecir is definitely the best and most talented player I’ve seen that didn’t win a grand slam, ahead of Rios, Nalbandian etc.
"their going to have more interesting matches in the future." They would play 3 more times in their career, Lendl never losing a set, defeating him at 87 Hamburg Final, 87 French Open semifinals, and 89 Australian Open final.
Mecir reminds me of Nalbandian. He can redirect the ball very well from both sides and makes very unforced errors. You have to have plenty of game to beat these types of players.
Too much slice from Lendl. It was Roche's fault as you had a player with a modern game taking advice from someone from the 60s and 70s. Yes used occasionally for a block return or to disrupt someone's rhythm. But this was excessive.
Mecir was amazing. Loved watching him move and play.
It's the Czech versus the Slovac. Very interesting match. I love Mercir's accuracy and his finding impossible angles!
I met Mecir in Hong Kong in 1988, an event which he won. A very, very nice man and I still have a photo of him posing patiently for my camera. Absolutely brilliant player to watch, incredibly talented, and its just a shame that injuries cut his career short. If he'd stayed healthy, I've no doubt he'd have won multiple GS titles.
@ Jonathan916. Even if Mecir's pro tennis career had not been cut short by injuries, it is very unlikely that he would have won any major singles titles because of his crummy serve. He should have developed a good strong, offensive serve early in his career (instead of continuing to hit his weak American twist serve throughout his career which had nothing on it) to give opponents difficulty returning his serve. At least Edberg got good velocity on his American twist serve.
Fantastic upload and exc. quality video. Never saw Lendl so frustrated - of course he had his revenge in two Majors Finals, i believe, against Mecir.
I love how Mecir attacks with accuracy more than pace. He will sure make the other guy run all over the place. 1:52
It is a shame that Miloslav Mecir had such a crummy serve. If he had developed a good, strong offensive serve to complement his excellent groundstrokes, he would have accomplished more than he did in his pro tennis career. His American twist serve had just about nothing on it which meant he couldn't win a lot of free points with his serve. The hard court surface at the 1987 Lipton International tournament was a medium slow hard court which enabled Mecir to return Lendl's big first serve fairly effectively. Mecir had Edberg defeated when he led Edberg 2 sets to love in their 1988 Wimbledon semifinal, but one must give credit to Edberg for a tremendous comeback in that match to defeat Mecir and get to and win his first Wimbledon final against Becker.
Thanks for posting this. Watching Mecir footage is tough cause all the video from his era has all degraded.
The topspin lob... The most beautiful shot in Tennis. 6:44
Mecir was the greatest player to have NEVER won a slam.
@ QGodofGods RulerofAll. Not to be picky but the correct term is "major" not "slam" when referring to one of the 4 major tennis tournaments - just like in pro golf in which they use the proper term "major" not "slam" in referring to a major golf tournament.
@@michaelbarlow6610 ok Bud Collins
This tournament had a 128 player draw size, and best of 5 set matches in every round. It had a larger draw size and awarded more prize money and ranking points than the Australian Open (96 player draw size), that year.
Mecir is definitely the best and most talented player I’ve seen that didn’t win a grand slam, ahead of Rios, Nalbandian etc.
"their going to have more interesting matches in the future." They would play 3 more times in their career, Lendl never losing a set, defeating him at 87 Hamburg Final, 87 French Open semifinals, and 89 Australian Open final.
Pause at 11:21 and look at Lendls right forearm compared to his bicep (right). Then look at his tiny little left arm.
Mecir reminds me of Nalbandian. He can redirect the ball very well from both sides and makes very unforced errors. You have to have plenty of game to beat these types of players.
Mecir rules!
The game looked definitively slower than today. Very slim Lendl of yesterday.
Two great Czeck players!
Loved the Big Cat. Too bad his career was brief
saw the CAT annihilate Big Mac in Dallas 1986 WTC it was UNREAL, had great end zone seat w/binoculars..
Gattone Mecir idolo!
Ivan Lendl is True Champion
Lendl se la comía..sabías eso???
Mecir was a greatly talented player which Lendl hated to play.
Jediný hráč , na ktorého hru sa dá dívať aj po dlhých rokoch- slovenský tenista M.Mečíř .
39:30
Kings funny question. Are you going to fishing soon? He played like he was fishing against Lendl.
Gattone Mecir...firmato Giampiero Galeazzi.
Ma non era Tommasi che lo chiamava così?
Mecir "the big cat"
Ma -cheer-sh . Mecir .
Too much slice from Lendl. It was Roche's fault as you had a player with a modern game taking advice from someone from the 60s and 70s. Yes used occasionally for a block return or to disrupt someone's rhythm. But this was excessive.
Well said.
parecen profesores de tenis jugando, que tenis mas fome de esos tiempos a partir de fines de los 80 y los 90 mejoro mucho.