Tennis Special Feature: Top Ten Most Intimidating Players in the History of the Open Era Part II
This special tennis feature pays homage to some of the greatest, most threatening players to ever lift a racquet during the Open Era, and in fact during the entire history of tennis. This feature is divided into five parts, in order to fully appreciate the
brilliance and reputation of these ten players as magnificent. The first instalment of this series discussed two tennis legends, Chris “Ice Maiden” Evert and John “McBrat” McEnroe. The second part of this series discusses two more intimidating players.
8. Bjorn “Ice” Borg (Sweden)
Bjorn Borg, often called Ice Borg, is named so for his cool demeanour on the court. Once again, he is unanimously considered the best tennis player in the beginning of the 1980s – in fact, he is also considered one of the greatest tennis players
of all time. The Swedish player is a former World Number 1 champion, and during his short four-year career which lasted from 1974 to 1981, he collected a total of 11 Grand Slam singles titles. He was a force to be reckoned with on the court, and amassed five
consecutive Wimbledon titles (a record current World Number 2 Roger Federer shares with Borg) as well as four straight French Open singles titles are Roland Garros (a record which is nowadays shared with World Number 1 Rafael Nadal).
Ice Borg also has the highest percentage for victories on any and all surfaces (clay, carpet, court, hard and grass). He won 82.68 percent of all his matches during his short career, setting a record for male players. Borg is also one of the four players
in the history of the Open Era to take away victories at both the All England Club and Roland Garros in the same year; to add to this, he achieved this feat three times in a row.
Perhaps the most terrifying thing about Ice Borg was his cool, frozen demeanour. He did not indulge in childish tantrums like one of his biggest rivals, McEnroe (known contemptuously as Super Brat). On the contrary, what made Bjorn Borg so fearful was the
knowledge that behind his cool mask, he had both the ability and the resolve to find the best and most lethal way to take his opponent down.
7. Rafael “Rafa” Nadal (Spain)
Rafael Nadal is, by general consensus, one of the all time greatest players of tennis. The 24 year old player is currently World Number 1, and he has had such great success on his favourite surface, clay, that he has been named “King of Clay”.
He is regarded by professional tennis analysts as the best clay court player in the history of tennis. Rafael Nadal has won a total of nine Grand Slam titles, with four consecutive wins at the French Open in Roland Garros (a record shared with tennis legend
Bjorn Borg, one player before him on this list.)
He has also won the 2008 Olympic gold medal in tennis, and was a part of the Davis Cup team for Spain. He played for his country in 2004, 2008, and 2009 – all years in which Spain took away the final trophy. He has a record-shattering 18 victories at the
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments. This year, Rafa became the seventh and youngest man to hold a career Grand Slam after his victory at the 2010 US Open. With this Grand Slam achievement, he also became the second male pro after Andre Agassi to hold
a career Golden Slam (winning all four Grand Slam titles, as well as the Olympic Gold.)
Rafael Nadal is no less than a terror on the court. He is called the Bull, and he lives up to his moniker. He has nerves of steel and a top spin to challenge the strongest players. He’s intimidating because winning a match against him, is near impossible.
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