Some people complaining in the comments about lendl's slice. Completely misunderstanding just how effective it was against Bolletieri style baseliners like Agassi and courier. It disrupted their rhythm, negated their power game (they wanted high balls they could smack away, so why hit your backhand with topspin? Slice it and make it unattackable. Make them bend down and hit up. Wear them out). It allowed Lendl to save energy whilst draining Agassi of his energy, to work the points out and wait for the short ball then go for the opening. It's very difficult for two handers to get under and over a low slice ball effectively. Federer and Sampras used it to great effect against those kinds of two handed players. It can be a brilliant weapon against players like that. You need only look at Lendl's record against courier (4-0 without ever dropping a set, most sets being 6-2 to Lendl) and Agassi (6-2 in total with Agassi not winning until 1992 when Lendl was way past his best)
There is no match for Lendl's consistency in his generation.He might have lost more grandslam finals(11)than won(8).But his never -say-die spirit is phenomenal and a standing example for all tennis players to achieve greatness and emulate him in spite of early setbacks.Any other tennis player would have gone in to oblivion for the initial setbacks,but for Lendl.His tenacious game always brackets him in the all time Great list(270 weeks number 1.Over all titles 94,19 grand slams finals,8 grand slams,5 Master year ending ATP finals).
This is incredible to watch, even without the great commentary of Summerall, Trabert, and (I think, starting in 1989) Mary Carillo. It might have still been Big Newk, but nevertheless, this is great to hear as if in the stands.
This video of the 1989 U.S. Open men's semifinal match between Lendl and Agassi is interesting because there is no play-by-play commentary by any broadcast announcers! I wonder if this is a copy of the USTA video of the match? That would explain why there is no commentary from any broadcasters on this videotape.
Agassi had a very good forehand and backhand drop shot. He hit a couple of memorable one-handed backhand dropshots late in the 5th set of his 2nd U.S. Open win against Connors. But in this 1989 U.S. Open match against Lendl he hit some excellent forehand dropshots.
I went to this match with my father, we were sitting up in the nosebleed seats... Lendl was in vintage form and the outcome was never in doubt, even when he let the 3rd set slip. There was no way Agassi was beating him that day. Little did we know it was the very last match of Lendl's 8 years of USOpen invincibility. He blew the final to Becker and never got back to the USO semi's again, losing in the quarterfinals each of the next 3 years.
pretty crazy that in consecutive years, Connors lost in the quarterfinals to a guy who lost to a guy in semifinals who lost to a guy in the final. 1988 - Agassi defeated Connors, Lendl defeated Agassi, Wilander defeated Lendl. 1989 - Agassi defeated Connors, Lendl defeated Agasi, Becker defeated Lendl.
Agassi doesn’t talk much about what it was like to play Lendl, including in his book. He talks about Becker, Courier, Connors, Chang, Sampras and Federer but not Lendl, which is odd considering how dominant Lendl was in their early meetings.
This is where Tony Roche had a bad influence on Lendl. That might sound strange but look how much he sliced his backhand a very typical 60s 70s Aussie style.I am convinced this is why he lost finals because in the earlier years he came over it more and was more of a weapon. I realise Roche tried to give Lendl more variation but it became too much of a staple shoot. Look at the difference between the 89 loss to Becker and the 92 win. I was a lifelong Lendl fan even still have the rackets but it was so frustrating to watch. He should have ditched Roche as this slice tactic lost him matches as he was having to do all the attacking work on the forehand.His topspin Backhand suffered as a result as he was not using it with the same frequency.
I think it was first used to negate the mcenroe service of 84. Lendl, found a dipping return, made it much harder for Mac to put away the first volley allowing him to unleash his big forehand. It soon worked,but somehow at Wimbledon he always came short. Shame.
The slice was good against Connors and it was good against the increasingly powerful serves. But that topspin backhand was the most beautiful shot in tennis. His slice backhand was kind of ugly looking.
Yes!i cant understand why Lendl play slice so much.as return of fast serve -ok. But hier he played topspin backhand only 3 time and made points.one time it was winner.
Lendl's slice was the ultimate example of winning ugly. It didn't look spectacular but it was very, very effective for him during the best years of his career (remember that hardcourts were much faster in the 80s than they are today). And look who else plays a similar style - Roger Federer, who took the Lendl model of moving the ball around the court with the neutral (neither defensive nor offensive) slice backhand and improved on it further.
Lendl was hitting far too much slice on his backhand compared to previous years. It was the reason he lost some big finals. It had a negative effect on his game and it was Roches fault. He was from that dated Aussie mould that hit slice in the 60s and 70s. Lendl would have had more chance at Wimbledon had he stayed back on his second serve.
You've completely missed the point about this match. Lendl used slice against the Bolletieri players like Agassi and courier because they couldn't handle it affectively. That's why Lendl had such an amazing head to head against them. It neutralised their power hitting, played havoc with their rhythm, and tired them out. All Lendl had to do was wear them out by slicing it back crosscourt, wait for them to hit an error or hit the ball short, and then go for the opening. They didn't come to the net, so passing shots weren't an issue. It's why both Sampras and Federer used the slice extensively against Agassi in later years. They'd seen the damage it could do to that kind of baseliner.
@@th8257 he lost vs Becker because of this slice.and he won vs Agassi , because Agassi was not able to use his best weapon : passing shots on return of 2nd serve
After 16 years of this US Open, Lendl became the guest to award Championship to Federer and Runner-up Award to Agassi.
Some people complaining in the comments about lendl's slice. Completely misunderstanding just how effective it was against Bolletieri style baseliners like Agassi and courier. It disrupted their rhythm, negated their power game (they wanted high balls they could smack away, so why hit your backhand with topspin? Slice it and make it unattackable. Make them bend down and hit up. Wear them out). It allowed Lendl to save energy whilst draining Agassi of his energy, to work the points out and wait for the short ball then go for the opening. It's very difficult for two handers to get under and over a low slice ball effectively. Federer and Sampras used it to great effect against those kinds of two handed players. It can be a brilliant weapon against players like that. You need only look at Lendl's record against courier (4-0 without ever dropping a set, most sets being 6-2 to Lendl) and Agassi (6-2 in total with Agassi not winning until 1992 when Lendl was way past his best)
This slice is the reason , that he lost vs Becker.
Love lendl's serve motion, seems so simple and effortless!
There is no match for Lendl's consistency in his generation.He might have lost more grandslam finals(11)than won(8).But his never -say-die spirit is phenomenal and a standing example for all tennis players to achieve greatness and emulate him in spite of early setbacks.Any other tennis player would have gone in to oblivion for the initial setbacks,but for Lendl.His tenacious game always brackets him in the all time Great list(270 weeks number 1.Over all titles 94,19 grand slams finals,8 grand slams,5 Master year ending ATP finals).
This is incredible to watch, even without the great commentary of Summerall, Trabert, and (I think, starting in 1989) Mary Carillo. It might have still been Big Newk, but nevertheless, this is great to hear as if in the stands.
This video of the 1989 U.S. Open men's semifinal match between Lendl and Agassi is interesting because there is no play-by-play commentary by any broadcast announcers! I wonder if this is a copy of the USTA video of the match? That would explain why there is no commentary from any broadcasters on this videotape.
When Lendl was in command, nobody could have stopped him
😂 😂 😂
that's so not true. the serve and volleyers back then could beat him like becker and edberg
Agassi had a very good forehand and backhand drop shot. He hit a couple of memorable one-handed backhand dropshots late in the 5th set of his 2nd U.S. Open win against Connors. But in this 1989 U.S. Open match against Lendl he hit some excellent forehand dropshots.
in the famous USO match v Blake AA hit an exceptional dropshot in the closing minutes of the match
I went to this match with my father, we were sitting up in the nosebleed seats... Lendl was in vintage form and the outcome was never in doubt, even when he let the 3rd set slip. There was no way Agassi was beating him that day. Little did we know it was the very last match of Lendl's 8 years of USOpen invincibility. He blew the final to Becker and never got back to the USO semi's again, losing in the quarterfinals each of the next 3 years.
No, in fact he was in SF of the US OPEN in 1991 (lost to Edberg).
I would have given everything to be in NYC & to watch the game... From 88 to 92, Ivan always lost versus the tournament winner.
At first in their rivalry I think Lendl felt Agassi couldn't really hurt him. He beat him in 2 US Open semis and 6-2, 6-3 at Forest Hills as well!
Lendl the Best !!!👍
pretty crazy that in consecutive years, Connors lost in the quarterfinals to a guy who lost to a guy in semifinals who lost to a guy in the final. 1988 - Agassi defeated Connors, Lendl defeated Agassi, Wilander defeated Lendl. 1989 - Agassi defeated Connors, Lendl defeated Agasi, Becker defeated Lendl.
right. Trivia: who's the only player to have beaten McEnroe, Connors, Agassi, and Pete at the USO?
and one more: who are the only two players to have beaten Germans Becker and Stich at the USO?
@@uncletony6210 Courier
@@uncletony6210 agassi and lendl
i had to read that 3 times before i could comprehend it. crazy
Agassi avec cette légendaire coupe de poney
Andre had quite the shaggy rug.
Tennis is a very popular sport
45:29 Lendl looking up to the hawk eye screen ?
Agassi doesn’t talk much about what it was like to play Lendl, including in his book. He talks about Becker, Courier, Connors, Chang, Sampras and Federer but not Lendl, which is odd considering how dominant Lendl was in their early meetings.
Agassi no va a culpar a su peluca esta vez!!
This is where Tony Roche had a bad influence on Lendl. That might sound strange but look how much he sliced his backhand a very typical 60s 70s Aussie style.I am convinced this is why he lost finals because in the earlier years he came over it more and was more of a weapon. I realise Roche tried to give Lendl more variation but it became too much of a staple shoot. Look at the difference between the 89 loss to Becker and the 92 win. I was a lifelong Lendl fan even still have the rackets but it was so frustrating to watch. He should have ditched Roche as this slice tactic lost him matches as he was having to do all the attacking work on the forehand.His topspin Backhand suffered as a result as he was not using it with the same frequency.
It was an adjustment to make him more competitive on grass. His pursuit of Wimbledon probably cost him several other slam wins, especially the French.
I think it was first used to negate the mcenroe service of 84. Lendl, found a dipping return, made it much harder for Mac to put away the first volley allowing him to unleash his big forehand. It soon worked,but somehow at Wimbledon he always came short. Shame.
The slice was good against Connors and it was good against the increasingly powerful serves. But that topspin backhand was the most beautiful shot in tennis. His slice backhand was kind of ugly looking.
Yes!i cant understand why Lendl play slice so much.as return of fast serve -ok.
But hier he played topspin backhand only 3 time and made points.one time it was winner.
Lendl's slice was the ultimate example of winning ugly. It didn't look spectacular but it was very, very effective for him during the best years of his career (remember that hardcourts were much faster in the 80s than they are today). And look who else plays a similar style - Roger Federer, who took the Lendl model of moving the ball around the court with the neutral (neither defensive nor offensive) slice backhand and improved on it further.
Lendl was hitting far too much slice on his backhand compared to previous years. It was the reason he lost some big finals. It had a negative effect on his game and it was Roches fault. He was from that dated Aussie mould that hit slice in the 60s and 70s. Lendl would have had more chance at Wimbledon had he stayed back on his second serve.
You've completely missed the point about this match. Lendl used slice against the Bolletieri players like Agassi and courier because they couldn't handle it affectively. That's why Lendl had such an amazing head to head against them. It neutralised their power hitting, played havoc with their rhythm, and tired them out. All Lendl had to do was wear them out by slicing it back crosscourt, wait for them to hit an error or hit the ball short, and then go for the opening. They didn't come to the net, so passing shots weren't an issue. It's why both Sampras and Federer used the slice extensively against Agassi in later years. They'd seen the damage it could do to that kind of baseliner.
This slice was making Jimmy Connors crazy as well
@@th8257 he lost vs Becker because of this slice.and he won vs Agassi , because Agassi was not able to use his best weapon : passing shots on return of 2nd serve