Search - Wimbledon Classic Match: Gerulaitis vs Borg on DVD

A great match to study

Mark Showalter | Gainesville, Florida United States | 05/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This match is one of my favorites to study for many resons. Borg's ability to hold out on the baseline on grass was unbelievable when you
consider the number of attacking players around at the time. In this case,
Vitas would be the classic attacking player against a great baseliner. Even though Borg did work on and develope a fairly reliable net game, he rarely if ever looked comfortable up there. If anything, I think his fitness was the main reason he was able to hold out for so long on a surface that didn't really suit his game. Being able to hold out for 5 sets & play at the top or near top of his game was certainly a reason for his sucess. He showed this clearly in the last set of this match, and it's for that reason I feel he won. There were few if any low points in the entire match and the competion from both sides was fierce. Plus, there are a number of great and just plain fun points, to say nothinig of one of the most funny moments when Borg, attempting to run around his backhand to hit a forehand return of serve, actually runs into Vitas' Kick delivery. However, you can, I think, see even here one of the reasons why McEnroe was able to finally defeat him. If you watch the rallies, you often see Borg bobbing up and back during a baseline rally, rarely moving forward to take a ball early unless he was moving in to the net. Watch Vitas and you'll see him forced back, but often he's moving forward to hit the ball even if he's not on his way into the net. Still amazing to watch Borg develope into a 5-time Champion. And what might have happened had he worked on taking more balls earlier from the baseline rather than constantly pulling back? This isn't a match to be missed and I consider it one of the best examples of the Baseliner VS the Attacking style."

Gerulaitus vs. Borg

R. Schultz | Los Angeles, CA | 01/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First-rate tennis match, presented with near ideal picture and sound. This was the match of Gerulaitis' life. And, if anyone still wonders why Borg is considered one of the tennis greats, this is a good place to start. There are not many matches worth studying, but this is one of them. The unfolding of the play--the drama--remains gripping, even though we already know the outcome. A must for players and fans alike."