Edberg is my favourite ever player. A player that oozed grace, flair, skill and guile. A wonderful player and a thorough gentleman. His rivalry with Becker is one of my fondest sporting memories. Legends.
Edberg is a legend. Impeccable grace and manners to go with his classy play, I love the way he neutralised Becker's power in the first two sets and gave him junk to work with. A wonderful ambassador for tennis
@@HILAL19564 he has been the only one my fav ever since 1987. even today, his quality of honest and composer of respect to others is not replaceable to my mind
Beyond the great champions in history that those two men were, we have to remember how their behavior and attitude were nothing else but perfect ! Respect, politeness, the essence of tennis !
These were my favorite times looking back on tennis... don't get me wrong I love the big 3 now and the pace of the game, but man I miss the serve and volley game. Was always my favorite style of tennis.
Same here. The game, in many ways, has regressed because of the advances in technology that make rackets so powerful that the same intensity of aggression can now be achieved completely from the baseline.
i can't say it produced the best tennis though, they was case for slowing the surface down by the end of the 1990's..but the contrasting styles it knocked up like agassi vs rafter was amazing..
I loved Stefan Edberg: serve&volley sublime, class, elegance and show in its pure state, beyond aesthetic beauty that doesn't hurt. Ever my favorite players.
What a joy to watch this. The commentators not feeling the need to yammer on incessantly like some do today. Edberg was always a favourite of mine. I frequently tried in vain to imitate his masterful serve and volley game.
@Siddharth Venkatesh - So true! Two of the greatest grass court players of all time. Edberg was my favorite of all time. Notice too how back then the Championships were played on pure grass, none of this watered down grass they have today, which sadly slows the courts down dramatically. I mean come on it’s grass, it’s supposed to play fast, the ball is supposed to stay low, and skip off the grass quickly. This was a classic match for the ages. And yes thanks AELTC.
@@missourimanful yep. While Borg McEnroe and Federer Nadal/Novak may be considered the greatest matches, this one is the greatest serve and volley match ever
@@missourimanful yeah, it's pretty sad. The slowed down grass is also why I take issue with people calling Federer the best grass-court player of all time; as great as he still is, that title goes more to the likes of Becker, Edberg, Sampras (I'd say something about Laver but I don't think I've watched enough footage of him) etc., despite the number of Wimby trophies Fed has.
Not sure about "greatest serve and volley match". Personally, I don't even think it's the best these two played at Wimbledon. Their 88 and 89 finals were more interesting, and somehow much more energetic! This match always struck me as very lethargic from both men. Maybe because Becker took sleeping pills beforehand, I don't know.
Never forget my headteacher giving an assembly the next morning. He said something that I've never forgotten but so important about respect for your opponents. Watch Boris walk over to Edberg and embrace him in defeat. He hugs his biggest rival despite losing such a close match. Now watch Argentina's response to Germany's win in the World Cup FInal later that day. Disgraceful and Maradona was and will always be my favourite footballer.
The Edberg-Becker-Edberg-...... - pattern was broken in 1991 by Michael Stich's 4:67:67:67:6 win in the semi. Edberg was shocked (losing that match without losing any serving game). But Becker also was shocked, because he mentally had been focusing and anticipating for the fourth clash with Edberg in the final 1991. "Where is Stefan?" Becker permanently was thinking during the 1991 final while he could not find a way to adapt to Stich's gameplay that day. Becker overall played seven Wimbledon finals, but only won three of them. In 1995 he was defeated by Pete Sampras in the final. Becker's importance for Wimbledon is much bigger than the number of his titles. The same is true for Jimmy Connors that has won only two Wimbledon titles, but constantly popped up in the semi-finals. Connors had two major problems at Wimbledon: Björn Borg and John McEnroe. Becker had two other major problems: Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras.
@@jeffreybeshears8211 I could never wrap my head around their h2h, 25-10 for Becker. However, until 1990 their h2h was much more in balance: after 1992, when Edberg started fading away, it's when Becker built the big gap in between them. Also Becker had a resurgence around 1995-1996, whereas Edberg pretty much disappeared after winning US Open 1992. Go figure why.
Love that Pro Staff 85 in Edberg's hands. Greatest racquet of all time - what Sampras played with his entire career and what Federer started his career with :)
Let's not forget Mary Pierce won the Australian Open with a Pro Staff 85 in 1995 and played with the Pro Staff right up to 1999, I think she switched to Yonex in 2000 when she won the French Open.
@@ZAOUWVNadal and Djokovic is average player.Don't count numbers and if they played 80s or 90s then they never won grand slams but Federer is truly one of the the greatest of all time,he is one of the three greatest player of all time.
Stefan's volleys were sick, just SICK. Impeccable technique, impeccable anticipation, good reflexes, all time great coverage of the net. Stefan was to the net what Fed is to the baseline, but unlike Fed, he has no weakness. Can't decide between him or McEnroe for the greatest volleyer of the Open Era
Both magnificent volleyers. McEnroe was a genius and Edberg was elegance personified. I loved Edberg but Mac probably shades him in the volleying stakes.
Interesting question, Edberg had to deal with more pace coming at him than did McEnroe, but it is just hard to shake the notion that McEnroe's hands were the most gifted in history when it came to volleying. I don't know the answer, comparing between eras is perhaps an insoluble inquiry.
It is so sad to see how tennis evolved from this classic style of serve and volley game TOWARDS the contemporary standard baseline slug fest. Nowadays, the game revolves so much around a weaponized topspin forehand hit with such ferocity. While I welcome these new innovations, I sorely miss the beauty of an all-around game exemplified by Edberg, Becker and Sampras. They were truly exceptional athletes in their time. So far, the last and most recent ATP athlete who employed this classical style was the phenomenal Briton, Tim Henman, who crashed into the scene like a ghost from the past. These old Wimbledon matches are like an omnibus of classic literature... they are immortal. They incorporate a blend of power and elegance with such technical superiority... a tall order for any player in an era of really hefty rackets with smaller sweet spots. It was almost like magic!
Patrick Rafter the big Aussie brought joy to many fans around this world. And I am somewhat annoyed when the returners stand about 50 feet away from the baseline. I agree it isn't illegal but it looks silly. But then again I do not really enjoying watch players who simply win tennis matches by strong serves. I like brain and skills.
Also on club-level tennis I see tennis instructors teaching people this new age baseline tennis. So I joined a session because they were one man short. First I got comments about my forehand; old fashioned bla bla bla. So I started tennis in 1982 when I was 7 years old and I swing my forehand still the same as I have been taught in my childhood. Second the tennis instructor said something silly about my racquets. So I still play Wilson Pro staff 85 & 90, Volkl C10, Prince Graphite Original MS and OS version..... etc etc. Tennis today is completely screwed! Period😠😠
@@dnch Many people complained during this era about how serve and volley tennis was boring to watch. I remember people talking about points almost never lasting more than two or three shots, and saying the game needed to be changed. I dont mind someone feeling that way, but I think that tennis has become a little boring because everybody stays back now, and theres no variety of play. I just wish that the equipment used and the court surfaces would allow both baseliners and serve and volleyers to exist, but im not so sure that can happen anymore.
Roger always said his childhood growing idols is Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker so this match will always be the best match of all time because it inspire roger play tennis, roger said love the game because two inspire him to play tennis
OH long time ago but wonderful match sat and watched it with my father 1990 and it was lovely to see this match again and Stefan Edberg what Volley he had.
Fabulous match. Go to the 15:16 mark of the match. Look at Edberg’s serve. The classic American twist serve or the kick serve. Look at the tremendous bounce on the grass, and bouncing the opposite way a tennis ball usually bounces on a serve. Watch how Edberg arches his back on his serve and has the perfect serving motion to accomplish this shot. It’s a tough serve to do. I never could do it. But done properly by Edberg and others it is an extremely effective serve. Just a beautiful serve.
His serve was excellent, but it had its problem : foot faults. Sometimes it was called, but often line judges let it slide, because they werent 100% sure and he was Edberg after all ...
"Look at Edberg’s serve. The classic American twist serve or the kick serve" That's probably why what made him the silhouette of the Australian Open logo
It's a long way. The first step would be coaches that encourage personal style again! Not everyone is the same, and not everyone should play from the baseline, have a big serve and a semi-western forehand, and play the backhand with both hands!
fundhund62 it’s really unfortunate how the majority of pro players today are either using western and semi-western grips. Pretty much a majority of them use a two-hand backhand. I really wanted to learn one-handed backhand but my coach wouldn’t let me.
@@jinto217 That's really sad to hear! I had people try to force me to hit a semi-western (at least!) forehand, which I wouldn't do. In his awesome book "Tournament tough" Carlos Goffi wrote "it doesn't make sense to talk about correct or incorrect strokes, only effective and ineffective ones". And McEnroe followed up: "The key, at any level, is to develop your own style, built on your natural abilities and feel, which are different from everyone else's." That's what many coaches today need to learn. Again.
fundhund62 Agreed. Instead of using a semi-western grip, I’m using a full eastern grip. I love it because it gives the ball a real drive and it’s flat and low. I dislike how a majority of college players/upcoming stars are using western/semi-western grips. There’s no variety, it’s literally just a topspin battle, and rarely are there any serve and volley players.
Apparently many German players of the football national team watched this game just hours before their own finale in the Fifa World Cup 1990 in Rome! Becker once said he contemplated taking a private jet to Rome that night to watch the finale in the Stadio Olympico.
Stefan Edberg was and always will be my favourite player! His style, class and elegance are unmatched! And what a modest, humble and kind man he is! The greatest serve-and volley player who's ever graced the game! Love him forever!!❤❤❤
My first year of college while playing on the tennis team, the entire team watched this match together at my place live on television. Wild horses or even a house fire could not have gotten us to move from watching this match.
When Wimbledon rolled around in 1990, tennis watchers fully expected a third successive Edberg-Becker final. They were still the best grass-court players in the world, after all. Sure enough, both progressed through the draw with relative ease. Edberg played a five-setter against the gritty Israeli Amos Mansdorf, but otherwise seemed in cruise control. Becker dropped three sets to three different players, but never looked in much danger. So with minimum fanfare, they set up Edberg-Becker version 3.0-and we lovers of serve-and-volley licked our lips.
Ah,the good old days,let court judges,no visible security apes eyeballing the crowd,polite applause, a commentator with a voices as smooth as Robinsons barley water.take me back.
They both were absolutely perfect in the "serve and volley". I remember this match, Becker promised quickly win and take the WC in the Rome final of Germany vs Argentina. But he lost and Germany won.
He was my favourite, the way he volleyed in this final was AMAZING, at his top, he was the best in the ATP circuit, and the most graceful ith Miroslav MECIR and Henri Leconte
This was the last full match won by Edberg against Becker in their great rivalry. Edberg then went on to lose 10 straight matches to Becker played afterwards, when they played a full match.
I really think that Edberg’s groundstroke isn’t as powerful as that of his opponents. However, his calm demeanor towards pressure and accuracy brought him to the elite few of the tennis world. Much respect, Mr. Edberg!
Как же это круто!И представить тогда нельзя было,что через много много лет это смотреться будет ещё лучше чем тогда!Какой элегантный теннис был.Только Роджер такой же элегантный как Стефан,ну может ещё и круче))(
I wish someone could get Boris and Stefan to do the commentary on this match. Talking Thru how they were thinking everything thru. I would pay to see that.
An absolutely incredible match which highlights a different, and in many ways better era of tennis. Not to take anything away from Federer, Nadal or Djokovic, but those who played with these rackets knows how much harder it was to get pace and precision compared to the enormous advantage the modern rackets have. Also anyone who thinks the current guys have more talent is very confused. Better conditioned? Yes,. More all around ability? Absolutely not. Case in point Michael Chang hit a 100mph serve maybe 5 times in his career, in his retirement he can serve them at 120mph with these new rackets and string technology.
There's no way Chang is hitting 120 mph serves now. I have seen him play on Courier's tour and he's not hitting serves anywhere near that. Maybe close to 110. Even Schwarzman, the best small player on tour, has trouble serving past 110.
Todays players are much better athletes. That is the way it is in all sports. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are easily the best players of all time, and it will be proven when the next generation can't come close to matching their achievements. If Fed, Nadal or Djokovic hadn't overlapped each other, any one of them might have won 30+ slams in any other era. Also the level of a top 100 player is far far superior to the level of a top 100 player in any other era. Lol at Michel Chang hitting 120mph serves. If he is hitting a 120mph serve with new rackets, does someone like Jim Courier hit 140mph serves now? Sampras 150mph? Get out with your old man nostalgia.
@@dundalis I agree. Something else. When serve speed is measured by radar it is at the moment the ball leaves the racquet. It is done that way for the fans. By the time it reaches the receiver it has lost a minimum of 30% of its speed. So a 150 mph serve is traveling no faster than 105 mph when it gets to the receiver. Probably slower.
@@dundalis Better Athletes? How? These two, particularly Edberg, are MUCH faster getting to the net. They're using fast twitch muscles, maybe that's why they were both done by 30. The ball was lighter, quicker, the courts did not kick the ball up; they simply had no time to stand 15 feet behind the baseline, and take a full swing at the ball; even on clay.
1990 is often times called the year in which „Germany almost had it all“, obviously referring to the unification that year first and foremost, but also regarding the FIFA World Cup and this Wimbledon finale. Coincidentally the latter two were on the same day!
@@mp1314 Thanks. Of course I don't have anything against Germany and Germans. But this is tennis! War with balls! Sentimentality will have to wait until after the winner has been declared.
The break game edber did in the fifth set is the best backhand game ever played....he only used that shot in the 4 points of the game...a pashing return winner a lob winner an amazing slice return and a flat return to the feet. AMAZING. Best backhand game ever played just in the best moment ever. Wimbledon title afterwards.....
It wasn't at this match, but Boris said Edberg wasn't tough enough mentally to hang with him. Glad to see this win and remember watching it live so many years ago.
@@hw343434 edberg 4-1 H2H in most important matches, including Nabisco Masters 1989, weeks N#1 ATP H2H 72-12 edberg, but bb won the less important matches, not too bad...
Von 1988-90 gab es dreimal das Finale Becker gegen Edberg.Beide waren damals die besten Rasenspieler.Sie spielten 35 mal in ihrer Karriere gegen einander. Die beiden waren so super Tennisspieler. 👍👍👍👍👍
Edberg with McEnroe was my Tennis Heroes, ever ... Stefan was THE TENNIS ... Infinite class, his volley play was the best in history of tennis ... his game at the net, his volleys, his backhand, his returns are something incredible ... in particular I've never seen such a good return ... and Becker's serve was pretty heavy!
I watched this match for the first time since I saw it live on TV in 1990. A few impressions: * It doesn't feel like this happened 30 years ago. The players were well trained, athletic and had good equipment. Watching a downhill ski race from the early 90s is a comedy today. * The match was not that well played, with at least one player struggling most of the time. Only in the latter part of the final set both players played well. * The manuscript was the same as in the semifinal in Paris in Paris in 1989. I remember I left that match after the 4th set because I was sure Becker would win. It seems Edberg went through more emotional rollercoasters during matches than most other players.
i remember watching this final, Edberg was a very good player with a great serve and volley game...... amazing how the game has changed from serve and volley to pure power baseline game..
What for a story... Boris win in Paris 89 in the hf against Edberg the third & fourth set and get the break in the fifth. The same story in the Wimbledon final 1990...
@@benparsons4979 Well I'm talking about one hander , Edberg had a picture book one , he was all a Swedish player never was . A true serve and volley one handed backhand player .
Its so awesome to see how gentlemen they are during these days. even at defeat they are so composed not like today that they almost don't want to shake hands .. what more the hand of the umpire.
Sampras built his career out of serve and volley. Also, Patrick rafter and goran ivanisevic. I would say post Sampras was the end of serve and valley since the emergence of the big 3
@@oliverdiamante761 Sampras and Ivanisevic weren´t particularly good volleyers, but their serves carried them through. Rafter was an ok volleyer, but nowhere near the level of Edberg or Becker.
Edberg was a G in this match. Still won after hitting all those comical serves going wayyyy out. Held his nerve despite all of that and won the big points. Awesome player.
Спорт
Edberg is my favourite ever player. A player that oozed grace, flair, skill and guile. A wonderful player and a thorough gentleman. His rivalry with Becker is one of my fondest sporting memories. Legends.
Edberg is a legend. Impeccable grace and manners to go with his classy play, I love the way he neutralised Becker's power in the first two sets and gave him junk to work with. A wonderful ambassador for tennis
he had style and grace --- qualities often missing today
No, Serena Williams is your favorite ever player. To say otherwise is the raise the hairs of the PC Police.
@@gjnelsondotcom No. I don't care about the PC police. Edberg is my favourite ever player. End of story.
The last of the great serve and volleyers.
Edberg's volley game was incredible. That might be why he was my favorite player when I was young.
stylish backhand too
I was always for edberg too back then. Later Sampras. Later Rafa
@@HILAL19564 he has been the only one my fav ever since 1987. even today, his quality of honest and composer of respect to others is not replaceable to my mind
I had all the Edberg gear and the same hair-style.
@@rabidbigdog umm
Beyond the great champions in history that those two men were, we have to remember how their behavior and attitude were nothing else but perfect ! Respect, politeness, the essence of tennis !
Edberg playing well was always such a joy to watch. Great final.
Edberg could only play well when Boris played bad. Otherwise, he was totally outpowered.
That volley from Edberg before the match points is insane...
I remember this match as a kid. Becker was my favorite player, and Edberg was my brother's favorite player!!
What a wonderful match! Boris and Stefan are truly great Cahmpions!
These were my favorite times looking back on tennis... don't get me wrong I love the big 3 now and the pace of the game, but man I miss the serve and volley game. Was always my favorite style of tennis.
Same here. The game, in many ways, has regressed because of the advances in technology that make rackets so powerful that the same intensity of aggression can now be achieved completely from the baseline.
Same for me. It was just a great time for tennis with really interesting players. The game isn’t the same.
i can't say it produced the best tennis though, they was case for slowing the surface down by the end of the 1990's..but the contrasting styles it knocked up like agassi vs rafter was amazing..
I think a medium/fast surface, low bouncing would have been an excellent compromise..but Fed might not have lost there..
I loved Stefan Edberg: serve&volley sublime, class, elegance and show in its pure state, beyond aesthetic beauty that doesn't hurt. Ever my favorite players.
Last of the true, great serve and volleyers
@@donkey3187He was my myth, the Great Beauty.
Nobody has ever been better at the net than Edberg.
@@jeanmarshfanyep, but Edberg was the BEST!!
What a joy to watch this. The commentators not feeling the need to yammer on incessantly like some do today.
Edberg was always a favourite of mine. I frequently tried in vain to imitate his masterful serve and volley game.
I have watched 1000s of matches in my life...this one is my all time favourite...thanks AELTC
@Siddharth Venkatesh - So true! Two of the greatest grass court players of all time. Edberg was my favorite of all time. Notice too how back then the Championships were played on pure grass, none of this watered down grass they have today, which sadly slows the courts down dramatically. I mean come on it’s grass, it’s supposed to play fast, the ball is supposed to stay low, and skip off the grass quickly. This was a classic match for the ages. And yes thanks AELTC.
@@missourimanful yep. While Borg McEnroe and Federer Nadal/Novak may be considered the greatest matches, this one is the greatest serve and volley match ever
And who's your favourite tennis player of all time?
@@missourimanful yeah, it's pretty sad. The slowed down grass is also why I take issue with people calling Federer the best grass-court player of all time; as great as he still is, that title goes more to the likes of Becker, Edberg, Sampras (I'd say something about Laver but I don't think I've watched enough footage of him) etc., despite the number of Wimby trophies Fed has.
Not sure about "greatest serve and volley match". Personally, I don't even think it's the best these two played at Wimbledon. Their 88 and 89 finals were more interesting, and somehow much more energetic! This match always struck me as very lethargic from both men. Maybe because Becker took sleeping pills beforehand, I don't know.
Never forget my headteacher giving an assembly the next morning. He said something that I've never forgotten but so important about respect for your opponents. Watch Boris walk over to Edberg and embrace him in defeat. He hugs his biggest rival despite losing such a close match. Now watch Argentina's response to Germany's win in the World Cup FInal later that day. Disgraceful and Maradona was and will always be my favourite footballer.
Edberg was my first tennis hero, the most elegant of serve and volleyers. Whenever great players are talked about he's always in that conversation imo
I LOVE STEFAN EDBERG. HE WAS SUCH A GOOD TENNIS PLAYER. MISS HIM AND BORIS TOO. 💕🌹👍😍💋💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
The Edberg-Becker-Edberg-...... - pattern was broken in 1991 by Michael Stich's 4:6 7:6 7:6 7:6 win in the semi. Edberg was shocked (losing that match without losing any serving game). But Becker also was shocked, because he mentally had been focusing and anticipating for the fourth clash with Edberg in the final 1991. "Where is Stefan?" Becker permanently was thinking during the 1991 final while he could not find a way to adapt to Stich's gameplay that day. Becker overall played seven Wimbledon finals, but only won three of them. In 1995 he was defeated by Pete Sampras in the final. Becker's importance for Wimbledon is much bigger than the number of his titles. The same is true for Jimmy Connors that has won only two Wimbledon titles, but constantly popped up in the semi-finals. Connors had two major problems at Wimbledon: Björn Borg and John McEnroe. Becker had two other major problems: Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras.
a match away from 4 finals in a row
Becker will always be significant due to his record of being youngest champion, I doubt anyone would break this record.
Becker owned edberg hth but lost 2 of 3 at Wimbledon. Loved both but always favored Stefan.
🎾 The most underated rivalry in 🎾 History
@@jeffreybeshears8211 I could never wrap my head around their h2h, 25-10 for Becker. However, until 1990 their h2h was much more in balance: after 1992, when Edberg started fading away, it's when Becker built the big gap in between them. Also Becker had a resurgence around 1995-1996, whereas Edberg pretty much disappeared after winning US Open 1992. Go figure why.
Stefan Edberg x Boris becker.A perfect tennis class.
Peak Edberg. Absolutely lethal.
Curvy sabatini
Love that Pro Staff 85 in Edberg's hands. Greatest racquet of all time - what Sampras played with his entire career and what Federer started his career with :)
Let's not forget Mary Pierce won the Australian Open with a Pro Staff 85 in 1995 and played with the Pro Staff right up to 1999, I think she switched to Yonex in 2000 when she won the French Open.
Jim Courier used it too.
There was another great racquet in that era Dunlop Max 200G used by Graf and McEnroe.
@@jliang70 Yeah, that was another great one.
I love Becker's racket. The Puma Becker Super. Excellent racket!
Edberg arguably the most graceful tennis player of all time..His footwork, his serve and volley are unmatched ❤
Totale agree
He is at the top along with Federer in terms of elegance and grace
@@tedmosbyy8477nope, Federer can't hold a candle to Edberg!!
@@bluecolor1600 dont be silly
@@maxfrasier Tony Kornheiser said it best....Federer can play 5 sets in a tux and not get it wrinkled. Hands down the most beautiful game to watch.
Two of the greatest player ever. They had so many fantastic matches.
But Federer , Nadal, Borg and Djokovic are on a other level.
Pete Sampras and Rod Laver are totally in different league actually
@@ZAOUWV On his day Edberg was a match for any of them
@@ZAOUWVNadal and Djokovic is average player.Don't count numbers and if they played 80s or 90s then they never won grand slams but Federer is truly one of the the greatest of all time,he is one of the three greatest player of all time.
Edberg had the most beautiful style of tennis I have ever seen.
Stefan's volleys were sick, just SICK. Impeccable technique, impeccable anticipation, good reflexes, all time great coverage of the net. Stefan was to the net what Fed is to the baseline, but unlike Fed, he has no weakness. Can't decide between him or McEnroe for the greatest volleyer of the Open Era
Mcenroe the best
Both magnificent volleyers. McEnroe was a genius and Edberg was elegance personified. I loved Edberg but Mac probably shades him in the volleying stakes.
Interesting question, Edberg had to deal with more pace coming at him than did McEnroe, but it is just hard to shake the notion that McEnroe's hands were the most gifted in history when it came to volleying. I don't know the answer, comparing between eras is perhaps an insoluble inquiry.
@@sliceserve234mcEnroe took the ball earlier.He was a supreme serve returner and he could do more with his forehand.
It is so sad to see how tennis evolved from this classic style of serve and volley game TOWARDS the contemporary standard baseline slug fest. Nowadays, the game revolves so much around a weaponized topspin forehand hit with such ferocity. While I welcome these new innovations, I sorely miss the beauty of an all-around game exemplified by Edberg, Becker and Sampras. They were truly exceptional athletes in their time. So far, the last and most recent ATP athlete who employed this classical style was the phenomenal Briton, Tim Henman, who crashed into the scene like a ghost from the past. These old Wimbledon matches are like an omnibus of classic literature... they are immortal. They incorporate a blend of power and elegance with such technical superiority... a tall order for any player in an era of really hefty rackets with smaller sweet spots. It was almost like magic!
Patrick Rafter the big Aussie brought joy to many fans around this world. And I am somewhat annoyed when the returners stand about 50 feet away from the baseline. I agree it isn't illegal but it looks silly. But then again I do not really enjoying watch players who simply win tennis matches by strong serves. I like brain and skills.
Also on club-level tennis I see tennis instructors teaching people this new age baseline tennis. So I joined a session because they were one man short. First I got comments about my forehand; old fashioned bla bla bla. So I started tennis in 1982 when I was 7 years old and I swing my forehand still the same as I have been taught in my childhood. Second the tennis instructor said something silly about my racquets. So I still play Wilson Pro staff 85 & 90, Volkl C10, Prince Graphite Original MS and OS version..... etc etc.
Tennis today is completely screwed! Period😠😠
Great post. Right about Henman too.
i feel just the opposite.. this video reminded me how even top level tennis at that time was serve/volley/point bore fest
@@dnch Many people complained during this era about how serve and volley tennis was boring to watch. I remember people talking about points almost never lasting more than two or three shots, and saying the game needed to be changed.
I dont mind someone feeling that way, but I think that tennis has become a little boring because everybody stays back now, and theres no variety of play.
I just wish that the equipment used and the court surfaces would allow both baseliners and serve and volleyers to exist, but im not so sure that can happen anymore.
Much much appreciated! Brings back a lot of good memories.
Edberg's footwork and balance at net is just ridiculous. Nobody is even close. Ever.
Those were the heady days of grass court tennis, still much missed .
@MUFC so not everyone likes soccer ..
@MUFC *football
Roger always said his childhood growing idols is Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker so this match will always be the best match of all time because it inspire roger play tennis, roger said love the game because two inspire him to play tennis
OH long time ago but wonderful match sat and watched it with my father 1990 and it was lovely to see this match again and Stefan Edberg what Volley he had.
I am here for the nostalgia of a different life and time and outstanding personalities in sport ....
I'll never understand why someone would dislike this. Sport at its best!
They dislike Becker losing to Edberg.
The elegance at service of the finest game...Tx Mr Stefan Edberg who made the serve & volley's draft for ever....
Classic rivalry between 2 great champions..
Das waren die Spieler meiner jungen Jahre. Edberg war mein Lieblingsspieler!
И моим!
Ich habe ihn auch live gesehen, super war es in Hamburg am Rothenbaum 😊
Как же Вам повезло его видеть лично!Это великолепно!А мне довелось только по телевидению.Но люблю его безмерно!
Fabulous match. Go to the 15:16 mark of the match. Look at Edberg’s serve. The classic American twist serve or the kick serve. Look at the tremendous bounce on the grass, and bouncing the opposite way a tennis ball usually bounces on a serve. Watch how Edberg arches his back on his serve and has the perfect serving motion to accomplish this shot. It’s a tough serve to do. I never could do it. But done properly by Edberg and others it is an extremely effective serve. Just a beautiful serve.
Its why my back is fuqed up.
His serve was excellent, but it had its problem : foot faults. Sometimes it was called, but often line judges let it slide, because they werent 100% sure and he was Edberg after all ...
@@stagna1959 Watching this footage I was thinking to myself that Edberg was foot faulting just about every serve, or very close to faulting.
"Look at Edberg’s serve. The classic American twist serve or the kick serve" That's probably why what made him the silhouette of the Australian Open logo
Thanks for uploading this video.🙂
Bring the volley game back !!!
It's a long way. The first step would be coaches that encourage personal style again!
Not everyone is the same, and not everyone should play from the baseline, have a big serve and a semi-western forehand, and play the backhand with both hands!
fundhund62 it’s really unfortunate how the majority of pro players today are either using western and semi-western grips. Pretty much a majority of them use a two-hand backhand. I really wanted to learn one-handed backhand but my coach wouldn’t let me.
@@jinto217 That's really sad to hear! I had people try to force me to hit a semi-western (at least!) forehand, which I wouldn't do.
In his awesome book "Tournament tough" Carlos Goffi wrote "it doesn't make sense to talk about correct or incorrect strokes, only effective and ineffective ones". And McEnroe followed up: "The key, at any level, is to develop your own style, built on your natural abilities and feel, which are different from everyone else's."
That's what many coaches today need to learn. Again.
fundhund62 Agreed. Instead of using a semi-western grip, I’m using a full eastern grip. I love it because it gives the ball a real drive and it’s flat and low.
I dislike how a majority of college players/upcoming stars are using western/semi-western grips. There’s no variety, it’s literally just a topspin battle, and rarely are there any serve and volley players.
Zverev’s big brother tried. Mischa was exactly this game and he never broke 25 in the world. The forehands are just too powerful now.
Apparently many German players of the football national team watched this game just hours before their own finale in the Fifa World Cup 1990 in Rome!
Becker once said he contemplated taking a private jet to Rome that night to watch the finale in the Stadio Olympico.
Great to hear the commentary of Dan maskell
Stefan Edberg was and always will be my favourite player! His style, class and elegance are unmatched! And what a modest, humble and kind man he is! The greatest serve-and volley player who's ever graced the game! Love him forever!!❤❤❤
Stefan Edberg is the greatest serve and volley play in the game
TW Yip
Greatest backhand volley for sure.
Mac was better.
Sampras brought a whole other Level to Serve and Volley tennis in Wimbledon
Fact!!👏👏👏👏
This is still great match. I enjoyed to watch this. thanks, Wimbledon.
My first year of college while playing on the tennis team, the entire team watched this match together at my place live on television. Wild horses or even a house fire could not have gotten us to move from watching this match.
Yea yea
Edberg , Best volley of all time
5 set match -- 2 hrs 58 minutes... THIS was great tennis!
ERA OF SINGLE HANDED PLAYERS
Edberg was the master of the net. A touch player. Gimme these two over any of the modern day baseline bashers.
When Wimbledon rolled around in 1990, tennis watchers fully expected a third successive Edberg-Becker final. They were still the best grass-court players in the world, after all. Sure enough, both progressed through the draw with relative ease. Edberg played a five-setter against the gritty Israeli Amos Mansdorf, but otherwise seemed in cruise control. Becker dropped three sets to three different players, but never looked in much danger. So with minimum fanfare, they set up Edberg-Becker version 3.0-and we lovers of serve-and-volley licked our lips.
@Roger Andersson Well,his chances would have been more difficult for sure.
@Roger Andersson Agreed, and Djokovic wouldn't have won either.
Edberg was so elegant and also eloquent - silence is golden :-) .
Ah,the good old days,let court judges,no visible security apes eyeballing the crowd,polite applause, a commentator with a voices as smooth as Robinsons barley water.take me back.
Amazing match by two wonderful athletes!!! Great win for Stefan!!
They both were absolutely perfect in the "serve and volley". I remember this match, Becker promised quickly win and take the WC in the Rome final of Germany vs Argentina. But he lost and Germany won.
He was my favourite, the way he volleyed in this final was AMAZING, at his top, he was the best in the ATP circuit, and the most graceful ith Miroslav MECIR and Henri Leconte
Stefan Edberg. My favourite player of all time. Loved his era.👏🇦🇺
This was the last full match won by Edberg against Becker in their great rivalry. Edberg then went on to lose 10 straight matches to Becker played afterwards, when they played a full match.
which proves Becker has always been the best. He lost in Wimbledon because all the pressure was on him and Edberg had nothing to lose.
Along with McEnroe, Edberg was the finest ever volleyer.
I really think that Edberg’s groundstroke isn’t as powerful as that of his opponents. However, his calm demeanor towards pressure and accuracy brought him to the elite few of the tennis world.
Much respect, Mr. Edberg!
Как же это круто!И представить тогда нельзя было,что через много много лет это смотреться будет ещё лучше чем тогда!Какой элегантный теннис был.Только Роджер такой же элегантный как Стефан,ну может ещё и круче))(
I wish someone could get Boris and Stefan to do the commentary on this match. Talking Thru how they were thinking everything thru. I would pay to see that.
Great players. Long time Edberg fan:)
Serve and Volley Era, beautiful and elegant Tennis. A true gentlemen sport.
Tolle Tennis Zeitreise…Genuss pur….Legende forever.. Orginale sind im Kasten und so sollte es sein dear’s!!! Tagchen!!🍀❤️🍀❤️🍀
2:57:20 epic
😂😂😂😂😂
An absolutely incredible match which highlights a different, and in many ways better era of tennis. Not to take anything away from Federer, Nadal or Djokovic, but those who played with these rackets knows how much harder it was to get pace and precision compared to the enormous advantage the modern rackets have. Also anyone who thinks the current guys have more talent is very confused. Better conditioned? Yes,. More all around ability? Absolutely not. Case in point Michael Chang hit a 100mph serve maybe 5 times in his career, in his retirement he can serve them at 120mph with these new rackets and string technology.
There's no way Chang is hitting 120 mph serves now. I have seen him play on Courier's tour and he's not hitting serves anywhere near that. Maybe close to 110. Even Schwarzman, the best small player on tour, has trouble serving past 110.
Todays players are much better athletes. That is the way it is in all sports. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are easily the best players of all time, and it will be proven when the next generation can't come close to matching their achievements. If Fed, Nadal or Djokovic hadn't overlapped each other, any one of them might have won 30+ slams in any other era. Also the level of a top 100 player is far far superior to the level of a top 100 player in any other era. Lol at Michel Chang hitting 120mph serves. If he is hitting a 120mph serve with new rackets, does someone like Jim Courier hit 140mph serves now? Sampras 150mph? Get out with your old man nostalgia.
@@dundalis I agree. Something else. When serve speed is measured by radar it is at the moment the ball leaves the racquet. It is done that way for the fans. By the time it reaches the receiver it has lost a minimum of 30% of its speed. So a 150 mph serve is traveling no faster than 105 mph when it gets to the receiver. Probably slower.
@@dundalis Better Athletes? How? These two, particularly Edberg, are MUCH faster getting to the net. They're using fast twitch muscles, maybe that's why they were both done by 30. The ball was lighter, quicker, the courts did not kick the ball up; they simply had no time to stand 15 feet behind the baseline, and take a full swing at the ball; even on clay.
Delusional
1990 is often times called the year in which „Germany almost had it all“, obviously referring to the unification that year first and foremost, but also regarding the FIFA World Cup and this Wimbledon finale. Coincidentally the latter two were on the same day!
They did have Steffi who started the year with Australian Open
Well, I'm Swedish, so I don't exactly cry for Germany.
teppolundgren fully understand - Edberg was a great player, even for me as a German it didn’t hurt too much he won.
@@mp1314 Thanks. Of course I don't have anything against Germany and Germans.
But this is tennis! War with balls!
Sentimentality will have to wait until after the winner has been declared.
teppolundgren absolutely - „war with balls“ is a good term. In fact it has somehow replaced nations’ fight for supremacy :-)
Edberg, per me il più elegante e incantevole tennista della storia.
4:16 Who is he ?
@@sebas89ify Tony Pickard, Edberg's coach.
Make Serve and Volley Great Again! 🙏
The break game edber did in the fifth set is the best backhand game ever played....he only used that shot in the 4 points of the game...a pashing return winner a lob winner an amazing slice return and a flat return to the feet. AMAZING. Best backhand game ever played just in the best moment ever. Wimbledon title afterwards.....
It wasn't at this match, but Boris said Edberg wasn't tough enough mentally to hang with him. Glad to see this win and remember watching it live so many years ago.
Edberg was ahead 3 to 1 in the Grand slams against Becker.
Nelson ThePrimate Becker over Edberg 25-10 Career
@@hw343434 edberg 4-1 H2H in most important matches, including Nabisco Masters 1989, weeks N#1 ATP H2H 72-12 edberg, but bb won the less important matches, not too bad...
@@hw343434 Indicates Becker was mentally tough when it didn't matter...
@@bear-ms3ms what was Edberg doing in the less important matches? Sleeping? Becker lost all by himself in 1988 and 1990, because of pressure.
he is always gentle and pleasing attitude . Edberg is my password for everything from bank to mail for 35 years since fan of him. both are classic
great channel. we should have a full match of sampras vs agassi 1999 wimbledon final alongg with extended highlights
Von 1988-90 gab es dreimal das Finale Becker gegen Edberg.Beide waren damals die besten Rasenspieler.Sie spielten 35 mal in ihrer Karriere gegen einander. Die beiden waren so super Tennisspieler. 👍👍👍👍👍
Edberg's net volleys are lethal
Edberg.....My favorite player ever
Edberg with McEnroe was my Tennis Heroes, ever ... Stefan was THE TENNIS ... Infinite class, his volley play was the best in history of tennis ... his game at the net, his volleys, his backhand, his returns are something incredible ... in particular I've never seen such a good return ... and Becker's serve was pretty heavy!
whaaattt??? Edberg was good and all but his return and bh is nothing compared to Novak's
I watched this match for the first time since I saw it live on TV in 1990. A few impressions:
* It doesn't feel like this happened 30 years ago. The players were well trained, athletic and had good equipment. Watching a downhill ski race from the early 90s is a comedy today.
* The match was not that well played, with at least one player struggling most of the time. Only in the latter part of the final set both players played well.
* The manuscript was the same as in the semifinal in Paris in Paris in 1989. I remember I left that match after the 4th set because I was sure Becker would win. It seems Edberg went through more emotional rollercoasters during matches than most other players.
edbergs volleys were something else
Stefan was my favorite player. what Smart
i remember watching this final, Edberg was a very good player with a great serve and volley game...... amazing how the game has changed from serve and volley to pure power baseline game..
Edberg, my father's favourite player
What for a story... Boris win in Paris 89 in the hf against Edberg the third & fourth set and get the break in the fifth. The same story in the Wimbledon final 1990...
Really? incredible coincidence. I'm too young to have been able to watch these matches live unfortunately.
One of the best one handed backhand ever. Was and still is the way to do it.
Well, the two hander is also a way to do it
Edberg´s wasn´t bad, either.
@@benparsons4979 Well I'm talking about one hander , Edberg had a picture book one , he was all a Swedish player never was . A true serve and volley one handed backhand player .
What a classic!
That match had a bit of everything, quite the rollercoaster! :)
Once upon a time serve and volley ❤️❤️👏👏
My lower back hurts watching these guys serve. The torque!
It’s surprising that Boris served so much to Stefan’s backhand when it was the better shot technically
Serve tp the bh and force him to try and pass with the weak fh.
Its so awesome to see how gentlemen they are during these days. even at defeat they are so composed not like today that they almost don't want to shake hands .. what more the hand of the umpire.
Edberg: Float like a butterfly sting like a bee.
Edberg and Becker. Becker is my fav, but edberg is someone the raging new players could learn from
Serve and volley tennis is almost extinct after Stefan Edberg.
Sampras built his career out of serve and volley. Also, Patrick rafter and goran ivanisevic. I would say post Sampras was the end of serve and valley since the emergence of the big 3
@@oliverdiamante761 Sampras and Ivanisevic weren´t particularly good volleyers, but their serves carried them through. Rafter was an ok volleyer, but nowhere near the level of Edberg or Becker.
fundhund62 totally agree
@@fundhund62 I always thought Sampras was a superb volleyer.
@@martydav9475 I also think Sampras was a really good volleyer, but Edberg, Cash and Mcenroe were better.
Ils se respectaient! Quelle belle période; nostalgie +++
The good old days, serve and volley , Edberg vs Becker still miss so much back on my childhood day
Crazy how the game changed.
The game has changed and become BORING!
Edberg was a G in this match. Still won after hitting all those comical serves going wayyyy out. Held his nerve despite all of that and won the big points. Awesome player.
Watched it live
Wimbledon, please broadcast some of the doubles matches as well. :-)
Oh, yes!
Nah
what a moment ... " my first love" ;) to win wimbledon on my sixteenth birthday
Both men were respectful, humble and gentle.
I don’t think the ball feels that way.
Questo era tennis. Due grandi !
The attack is ruthless 🎾🎾