What I love about this is that its not one of those exhibition matches where its just about jokes and messing about. They are actually going for winners here. Sure the young guys are mainly (though not always) playing hard against each other, but this feels like a competitive match. So much more entertaining.
@Alan Frost Hi Alan. I competely agree. I think that exhibition matches recently become too messy and full of jokes as if the players where clowns in a circus. I went to many exhibition matches here in Naples in the past and they were almost competitive as true tournment matches. I saw amazing matches as Panatta vs McEnroe 6-7 ,2 -6 and Panatta vs Borg 6-4 , 6 -4 and lots of others. On Tv I saw wonderful exhibition as Usa vs Europe when the managment used to choose not only the players who were in Top 10 but particularly the most gifted to entertain the public. Of course, the players knew that they didn't play for ATP points but they played the match with the proud to show their best skills and often they feel free to make their best tricks.
They can't be TENNIS snobs for real or they would know how good a player Blake was. He isn't in GOAT league but that pool is so tiny, getting Nadal or Djokovic to an exhibition like this wasn't possible I suppose. Blake is also much younger than Borg or Mac, early 30s in this match, and he was at one time #4 in the world! So all you noobs whos tennis knowledge stops after Federer and Nadal get off his case! He was by no means outclassed in actual ability in this match.
Borg and Mac still in fantastic shape. Mac in better shape than some of his pro years. Can't tell you how those 2 gentlemen changed my life. I chose borgs grip and groundstrokes and still using them as an old person!
I believe he's around 50th right now but I remember he stopped playing in 2004 from an injury or something so thats probably why but he was in the top 10 before that.
@KenfromDublin Former top 10 player. One of the few players that had a clear winning H2H record over Nadal. It was 3-0 for Blake and their last 4 matches could have gone either way but Nadal was too tough in the deciding sets. But considering what he had gone through, his achievements are wonderful. Because in 2004 he broke his neck, developed shingles and his father died, all in the same year. And then he came back to have a successful career and is known to have one of the best forehands.
You know Roger is legend when Borg is bowing to him. Such a legend n down to earth guy Borg is. Definitely best player ever. If havnt retired at 26 he would have 20 slams til now.
I can't believe this..Mac at 49 looks as old as me at (or more) at SIXTY NINE, but then not without the added hair color that makes me look mid early/mid 50's.. maybe I'm a freak playing 25 years at Tennis, now playing competitive club level Table Tennis with players half my age..so there you go..well, I never won a major...Robert in Arizona.
whoaa he is :O thats pretty good.. i've been playing left handed for a few weeks cuz my right hand is injured... everything sucks except my lefthanded forehand hahaha
Yeah. Whoever controlled the cameras and replays had zero experience covering tennis. Either that or the MOFO should be fired. Tennis Channel was at their mercy, probably commenting from across the ocean.
Had he stayed on the Tour for a few more years he could have won 5 or 6 more Slam titles! He retired with 11 at the age of 26, given that Roger and Rafa had 12 and 11 respectively by the time they were 26, that would lead one to believe that he probably could have been a 17-time Major winner before Nadal was even born!
TheTradge It was so odd that he reitred so young. I can see it in sports like Football where they are thinking about their long term health. It just did not make sense for a tennis star to do this.
@millionairejh he definitely is. he was paralyzed and went through several other issues but never gave up. that's what champions do. he even reached top 5 in the world
um i think mac was more known for his hands then his serve, unless your talking about his motion then yes both have unique service motions but roddick definitely isnt known for his hands although he has improve that area of his game tremendously
if the USA made it to the davis cup final then nadal, if he wasn'tinjured, would've played, but as spain made it to the final, blake filled nadal's spot
What a dream matchup. My two favorites of all time on one team: Borg and Federer.
Holy shit! Björn Borg at the age of 52 is still so incredibly fast! His reactions are incredible too!
Two lifetime legends playing on court with another future legend..so wonderful to see!
Blake's the awkward guy playing 100% when the other three are in total exhibition mode.
@philip brotherton coz Blake's 100% is equal to there exhibition mode.
What are you talking about. Blake was serving second serve the whole match, and his forehand was half the speed he's capable of.
James Blake..can't understand why he didn't win any majors, or more tournaments, he had the shots when he was on. Robert at 69.
What I love about this is that its not one of those exhibition matches where its just about jokes and messing about. They are actually going for winners here. Sure the young guys are mainly (though not always) playing hard against each other, but this feels like a competitive match. So much more entertaining.
@Alan Frost
Hi Alan. I competely agree. I think that exhibition matches recently become too messy and full of jokes as if the players where clowns in a circus. I went to many exhibition matches here in Naples in the past and they were almost competitive as true tournment matches.
I saw amazing matches as Panatta vs McEnroe 6-7 ,2 -6 and Panatta vs Borg 6-4 , 6 -4
and lots of others. On Tv I saw wonderful exhibition as Usa vs Europe when the managment used to choose not only the players who were in Top 10 but particularly the most gifted to entertain the public.
Of course, the players knew that they didn't play for ATP points but they played the match with the proud to show their best skills and often they feel free to make their best tricks.
Big Mac, 49 and what a touch... A living legend as Borg...
Federer having a time of his life playing with his idol (Borg) and even more happy when winning.
Borg and Mac still got it, man.
Holy cow! Björn is till so good at net!
Admittedly Blake was in exhalted company, but he still knows how to play.
Borg and McEnroe are warriors. Roger is happy to play with his heroes.
we can see Mac is happy and having fun...
Nice to see him like this
Too bad the last point was cut off looked like it was guna be good!
4 living legends of Tennis. Love it
great ending mate. good video editing.
mcenroe is a genius! he should have won twice as many grand slam titles....
Lol @ all these tennis snobs hating on blake for simply being there.
They can't be TENNIS snobs for real or they would know how good a player Blake was. He isn't in GOAT league but that pool is so tiny, getting Nadal or Djokovic to an exhibition like this wasn't possible I suppose. Blake is also much younger than Borg or Mac, early 30s in this match, and he was at one time #4 in the world! So all you noobs whos tennis knowledge stops after Federer and Nadal get off his case! He was by no means outclassed in actual ability in this match.
I love these formats.
You can truly tell that they love the game after watching this!
title should have been showdown of champions and Blake.
Borg and Mac still in fantastic shape. Mac in better shape than some of his pro years. Can't tell you how those 2 gentlemen changed my life. I chose borgs grip and groundstrokes and still using them as an old person!
Roger said "Borg is the king". Holy smoke, he still has it at the net. Unbelievable hands.
I believe he's around 50th right now but I remember he stopped playing in 2004 from an injury or something so thats probably why but he was in the top 10 before that.
I LOVE IT! THANKS FOR THE POST
@KenfromDublin Former top 10 player. One of the few players that had a clear winning H2H record over Nadal. It was 3-0 for Blake and their last 4 matches could have gone either way but Nadal was too tough in the deciding sets.
But considering what he had gone through, his achievements are wonderful. Because in 2004 he broke his neck, developed shingles and his father died, all in the same year. And then he came back to have a successful career and is known to have one of the best forehands.
right from the first point it seemed to have a really relaxed atmosphere, which is great! perhaps makes them play more freely and better as a result
He's a former 4th best tennis player in the world and yes, he's a champion.
I love the last point! Jonny Mac was serious on that last volley.
I've always thought McEnroe and Borg should have teamed up in the doubles. That would have been unbeatable.
wow, you guys saw there volley match, man they were playing ping-pong instead of tennis without a table, Borg and McEnroe still got it
he won 10 titles :) and in that time he was number 4 in the world
You know Roger is legend when Borg is bowing to him. Such a legend n down to earth guy Borg is. Definitely best player ever. If havnt retired at 26 he would have 20 slams til now.
more then 20
I'd say he is. Coming back after nearly dying and after losing his father all in one season.
James Blake you beautiful beautiful man!
You know you're doing well at the net when McEnroe's impressed haha
sickair08- they are playing exibition matches in US all the time... !
I can't believe this..Mac at 49 looks as old as me at (or more) at SIXTY NINE, but then not without the added hair color that makes me look mid early/mid 50's.. maybe I'm a freak playing 25 years at Tennis, now playing competitive club level Table Tennis with players half my age..so there you go..well, I never won a major...Robert in Arizona.
@pmo1983 that's because this is Malaysia . not many tennis fans around .
whoaa he is :O thats pretty good.. i've been playing left handed for a few weeks cuz my right hand is injured... everything sucks except my lefthanded forehand hahaha
good post,though shame you show the score in your description.
I'd rather see all the points once than half the points twice.
Yeah. Whoever controlled the cameras and replays had zero experience covering tennis. Either that or the MOFO should be fired. Tennis Channel was at their mercy, probably commenting from across the ocean.
Great!! Where's the rest???
Incredible exibition! very funny. I really like blake, but also Roddick would has been cool there!
Great Game! But McEnroe with a sleeveless t-shirt?! He looks like a teenager with a white wig
imagine!!!that would've been some match...an amazing match
Blake is a pretty good doubles player.
Blake is amazing. He deserves a slam himself.
Roger's volley is in a league of its own.
Nowhere near the level of McEnroe, though. Or Edberg. Or Laver. Or Becker. Or Edberg. Or Cash. Or Leconte. Or ..
Or Sampras
it should have been federer/borg vs mcEnroe/nadal
Like the video all but don't like the hating on Blake. He was great and not many hit harder FH than Him, injury wrecked him.
Maybe McEnroe/Roddick to be the American team.
Cheers Hatrick', how highly rated is he?
@rogeristhelord
Yes, it's good to worship our hero's even in a fun exhibition with seniors. Roger's reaction at match point 10:37...also amazing.
Check out Borg! he is still the shit.
Had he stayed on the Tour for a few more years he could have won 5 or 6 more Slam titles! He retired with 11 at the age of 26, given that Roger and Rafa had 12 and 11 respectively by the time they were 26, that would lead one to believe that he probably could have been a 17-time Major winner before Nadal was even born!
TheTradge It was so odd that he reitred so young. I can see it in sports like Football where they are thinking about their long term health. It just did not make sense for a tennis star to do this.
imateapot51 I heard that it was because he could no longer beat John McEnroe, and as a player who thrives on being the best you can see why he did it
It's nice to see them not doing the annoying hand-slap after every single point.
@millionairejh
he definitely is. he was paralyzed and went through several other issues but never gave up. that's what champions do. he even reached top 5 in the world
I never knew that Mac has those nice tattoos! ;)
I wish if there is a super unearthly technology that can allow Borg to compete in today tennis!
fantastico
at 2:30 when roger serves he does the funnies grunt i have ever heard him do =))
Who won in the end?
@pmo1983 Simply because malaysians don't really support tennis but however, i was there that night. Loved it when mcenroe shouted at the empire.
Kom igen nu Björne du äger ju för fan!!!
Heja Sverige!!
I find they great
When was.blake Cham pion?
For a couple of "old farts" as McEnroe would call him and Borg, they still got some reaction time and great hands
Yes they do
Well said
i never noticed macca's tats b4, r they a new addition?
boy that was fun.
borg and federer together
wow
McEnroe MAGIC VS Federer MAGIC
McEnroe is pretty badass xD
@pajarosnaranja i think that person said either "serve sexy" or "go sexy"
um i think mac was more known for his hands then his serve, unless your talking about his motion then yes both have unique service motions but roddick definitely isnt known for his hands although he has improve that area of his game tremendously
What did the person said at 1:58?
What did they scream to McEnroe at 1:55?
A chronological compendium of those less than Nadal and Djokovic.
I swear Borg and Mcnroe can still play at this level they should be in the tournement.
wow blake used his left hand for federer's smash at 4:30
Borg serving faster than when he won 5 Wimbledons.
Why are there empty seats?
Borg and Federer playing doubles together- i would have thought people would be knocking the door down to watch this.
should have been samprass/mcenroe vs borg/federer that's more like an all star doubles
That was the plan, but there was a full moon that day. So it didn't work out.
That would have made 22 Wimbledon titles on the court at the same time if Sampras had been there.
I can't believe this, they cut off the end of the match ?? what psycho did this ?? You can't be serious.
It is not fair. Borg is too good for this crowd.
what does mcenroe yells at 07:30
Is it true he won the men's shingles title that year too.
oh.. actually that's a pretty good point.
Looks like affirmative action plan got into tennis, too.
Just admit that Blake can and was playing well..
Great Video! I am confused why Blake is part of the Showdown of Champions LOL still fun to watch, i just pretend Blake is like.. idk ...anyone else
Should have been Federer/Borg v McEnroe/Sampras
Did anyone notice Federer using telepathy to tell the linesperson the ball was out at 7:21? LOL
what an ending. mccenroe hits fed in the ass. lol and yeah the seats are empty and the crowd looks clueless
ボルグ、オールラウンドな上手さがある。
This match was played just four months after the Federer Nadal classic at wimbledon . Hell yeah, Nadal why aren't you here ?
Blake had 3-0 against Nadal in 2006 :)
if the USA made it to the davis cup final then nadal, if he wasn'tinjured, would've played, but as spain made it to the final, blake filled nadal's spot
wow..... I am blown away. lol
And than the commentator says right after, the team of mcenroe and blake come from behind
Wow! What fun match between great champions!
...and Blake.
:o
borg federer - odin and thor and mac .... emm loki? :D
Federer has doubles gold medal..
mcenroe's clearly the lagger in that match.