5 Matchups We'd Love to See (But Never Will)
Oh, one can still dream - even if it's in vain. But just thinking about these pairings makes tennis hearts beat faster!
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Apr 02, 2023, 03:42 pm
Pete Sampras vs Daniil Medvedev
Ivan Ljubicic put it in a nutshell these days: "I would love to see a Sampras - D. Medvedev match. The contrast of the playing styles, it would be spectacular," Ljubo tweeted. And it would be for sure! Sampras with the strong first (and second!) serve and merciless serve and volley against defensive artist Daniil Medvedev. Would he then have to move his return position a little further from the gang towards the tennis court? You have to assume.
Roger Federer vs Carlos Alcaraz
It would be a tennis festival! Not even because of the contradiction, but because two players would play the most variable tennis of all time! "King Roger" at his best, prancing and in the mood to play against the floating Carlitos, it's too bad we missed this game by just a year or two!
John McEnroe vs Nick Kyrgios
Two with a lot of feeling - and a lot of bad mood! Should these two have a good tennis day, a tennis festival would be guaranteed, with spectacular volleys and tons of touch! Just the thought of how Johnny Mac could personally disassemble the Hawk-Eye makes hearts beat faster... The only risk: an early disqualification should both fuses completely blow. To be on the safe side, Mohamed Lahyani should be in charge of the game and spreading good cheer.
Andre Agassi vs Novak Djokovic
It would probably be a break festival! The two best return players among themselves, and a Djokovic who would have to run a lot. After all, Agassi was known for giving up his place on the baseline only in the greatest of emergencies. Would he have got through against Djokovic? Probably more likely on the old, fast hard courts than on the courts that are now played on.
Mansour Bahrami vs Fabrice Santoro
Two snipers among themselves, and in the audience an enthusiastic Karsten Braasch with the second pack of cigarettes. Splendid! In show doubles, Bahrami/Santoro have of course worked together, but unfortunately there has never been an official game with tweeners and two-handed fore and back hands. It wouldn't have been so impossible, this match-up. Bahrami and Santoro actually toured together!