Sports Then and Now

The United States Open has hosted some of the greatest matches in tennis history.

In a another month we will be heavily invested in the last grand slam tournament of the season, the 2010 U.S Open to be held in Queens, New York, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Last year’s winner of the U.S. Open men’s trophy, Juan Martin del Potro will not be on hand to defend his championship.  The Argentine has been sidelined most of 2010 after surgery for a wrist injury.

The question remains whether Roger Federer will reestablish his dominance in the event or if a new champion will crowned as the next U.S. Open winner.

Some believe Federer’s era has past. But most have adopted a “wait and see” attitude.  Time will tell whether the Swiss continues to add to his impressive record at the U.S. Open, moving him up the ladder on the list of greatest champions.

An examination of  the top U.S. Open champions since 1968 should focus on both the number of finals won plus the total number of final appearances.  If those totals are equal then consider the total winning percentages of the respective players.

Of all the tennis professionals who have participated in the modern era at the U.S. Open, the number of men who have multiple wins is few.  It is a very difficult accomplishment––making it to the final of a major and then winning the tournament––most of all, doing it more than once.  The following men are great champions.

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Stefan Edberg and Patrick Rafter brought back old memories with their meeting in London.

Stefan Edberg, still golden, still polite, still with a touch at the net like a feather, stood at one end of the court.

Pat Rafter, exuding bonhomie, hair cropped short with that tiny white flash on the crown, still the most nimble of volleyers, stood at the other.

It was a match made in heaven.

They had met just three times before, almost 15 years ago. Edberg was about to retire while Rafter was just coming of age on the Tour. Edberg won all three matches.

So this week’s rematch, their first since those brief encounters, promised to be special.

That they were contending for the final tennis trophy of the year at the Aegon Masters in the picturesque oval elegance of London’s Royal Albert Hall added still more luster to the event.

What better way to end the 2009 tennis season than with two of the most renowned exponents of the serve-and-volley game in the Open era?

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