Recently, Nick Kyrgios made an interesting statement that got many former tennis players, and tennis coaches talking.
Currently absent from the ATP Tour, the Australian has spent some time doing media duties, talking to multiple publications and appearing on numerous podcasts while recovering from an injury.
On one of those appearances, Kyrgios said that Novak Djokovic would destroy the likes of Pete Sampras, claiming that many former tennis greats would struggle in this era.
However, many quickly started discussing whether Kyrgios’ comments were fair since eras are difficult to compare, and one of the former players who jumped in was Boris Becker, who immediately called out the Australian’s “credibility.”
But he wasn’t the only one, as Serena Williams’ former coach and former doubles world no. 1, Rennae Stubbs, also commented on the matter, supporting Becker’s claims about eras being incomparable.
“Well said Boris, sports evolve. Tennis players get faster, stronger, better. Swimmers get faster, runners get faster, golfers hit further, there are so many comparisons but there is no point in comparing eras. Its stupid! Stupid!!! So just stop doing it!!”
On top of that, Stubbs said that any great tennis player appreciates anyone who meant something for the sport in the past, calling Kyrgios to respect former greats.
“And any great player appreciates what the other greats have done before them. It’s called respect! Something that some people will never have or never understand.”
She wasn’t the only one to comment, as the 28-year-old’s comments evoked many reactions also from tennis fans, with some taking his side, while others disagreeing.
Sven Groeneveld, who coached the likes of Monica Seles, Ana Ivanovic, Tommy Haas, Maria Sharapova, and Mary Pierce, also pointed out the difference in the equipment used in the previous era and now.
“The rackets (together with the type of balls and speed of court) that were used during those times the amount of skill involved of playing the game was much higher than its today. The courts are all the same pace, balls are slow and rackets and strings are compensating for the lack of skill of the players technical tactical physical and mental capacities. Hard to compare apples with oranges.”
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