Statistics - I have long abhorred in tennis. For it simplifies the
great intricacies of the game and masks the glory. Those numbers with
absolute accuracy and so less precision. Numbers that betray the magic.
Numbers that give away so little and hold back the spontaneity. Numbers
that say so little and yet make one cling to them more tenaciously..
Numbers don't tell history and very few, if any, can be viewed with any
high esteem in tennis.In an eagerness to rewrite history and put things
in orderly boxes, history has been untold and retold with much
ambiguity and propriety. All has been said and mulled over about Open
era, french open not open to foreigners in early years, distinction
between amateur and professional tennis, scope and impact of Australian
open till 1990s, impact of non-wooden rackets and 14 as the magic
number of slams and so on... Numerous tricks have been pulled. History
rewritten, forgotten and the glorious past, all but nothing more than
shoved away.However, one can still use a such number to highlight
events that can take us away, back to the time, when things were not so
simple. Tennis, as everything else on this world, evolves. These grand
slams did not spur out of no where. They evolved, changed, and over a
long run moved forward..Let us explore the three such slams with
distinguished history, those of the kind that weather two world wars,
great depression, tyranny, birth of world leaders and so on..Wimbledon
- The birth place of modern tennis. Undeterred by changing times, where
tradition takes front seat to change. Whites all around and the great
grass courts. And held in the same place since 1877, the years gone
by.US Open - In the New world with frontiers being tested, US Open
stood the test of time with vociferous crowds and leading the way on
change with professional tennis, this slam and its conquest marks
uniquely.French Open - As an antidote to the Anglophone world order,
this terre bautte has been rightfully a jewel in tennis history. Though
admonished for not opening up to the world for a while, this slam with
its gruelling stakes is highly worthy.And who can forget the
tribulations and ecstasy of nations competing on tennis grounds. The
unique Davis cup that brings patriotic spirit to this individualistic
sport. The passion and all those that this event seeks out from the
fan.There were four or so watershed events in the history of tennis,
which in it's modern form is about 130 years old. Those that can help
define an era. Those moments that looking back gives a clear picture on
the events that unfold..With it origin in 1870s as an elite sport it
has now spread its wings to millions and millions of fans across
nations that vast horizons.The early one was the World War I that
united tennis across the pond. Millions with new found hope started
playing tennis as it moved away from amateur regionalistic slams. Till
then, mostly the slams were competed by national players and
foreign-born who settled in those countries. Much were lost about those
in this Era, say Amateur Era, between 1877-WW1. With prominent clubs
nationally taking the scene, it is hard to pinpoint on players who
dominated across the slams.In the aftermath of world war, it became
more of an international sport with the slams gaining in recognition
and prestige. It was also a time of expansion with local clubs spurting
everywhere. Still, tennis was fairly un-commercialized and elite
privileged few competed. Great Britain, France and US shared the spoils
of Davis Cup. Bill Tilden, French Musketeers and Fred Perry were the
most distinguished among those in this Era that overlapped the two
world wars.With the memory of the brutal world war 2 behind, the
nations that survived had an era of optimism, peace and progress. With
the advent of professional tennis along with prizes, tennis had taken
growth from Down Under. The amateur and pro split is now firmly seated
with grand slam equivalents from professionals - Wembley, US Pro and
French Pro. In an era predominately contested between Australia and US,
Rod Laver and Ken Roswell from Down-under and Pancho Gonzalez were most
distinguished among these elite champions. It was during this era from
WW2 till 1968, that professional tennis has taken over from its
amateurish roots and firmly seated itself as a professional sport.With
the clash of old and new, comes the fondly called Open Era, where
everyone can compete in slams. With strongholds of slams allowing
professionals, it was time of change, conflict and confusion.
Professional tours and their competing players meant that there were
only a few times when the world's best were all present from the three
big slams. Tennis had its champions come from many different nations
with Sweden a force to reckon with. The most distinguished among those
were Bjorn Borg and American duo - Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. With
a lot of feudal fighting among tours, organizations and everything, it
truly was a time that put Tennis firmly in its seat as professional
sport and was heavily commercialized with the advent of mass TV.And
from those turmoil comes this Modern age of stability. With the advent
of Australian Open as the fourth slam and finally getting its
recognition and prestige in the late 1980s. Tours were unified,
tournaments expanded and commercialization to its tilt, tennis exploded
world wide. Champions from vast different countries and Davis cup
winners all around the world. Put to the test, tennis is shown around
the world with supreme athletic and coordination skills. The
competition intensified, the most distinguished of this Modern Era
includes Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl and Roger Federer.Hope you have
enjoyed this journey and below I have put together a detailed
spreadsheet with the Champions Roll call. It is freely available and
editable by you as well.

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Posted By Rama to Roger Federer Magical Tennis at 10/13/2008 02:28:00 PM