When Andy Murray beat Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon in 2013 he became the first Brit since Fred Perry beat Gottfried von Cramm at the home of tennis 79 years before.
When Murray successfully lobbed Belgian David Goffin in Ghent last weekend, he led Great Britain to its first Davis Cup success since Perry beat Australian Jack Crawford at Wimbledon, again 79 years before.
An extraordinary coincidence and a long time between drinks – but better late than never.
Undisputed world number one Novak Djokovic rates winning the Davis Cup for Serbia in 2010 was the defining moment of his career.
“It was like winning the World Cup of tennis, the only team event we play every year for our country – the rest of the year tennis is very much an individual sport,” was Djokovic’s explanation.
“I became a better player almost overnight,” he added with nine of his 10 Slams successes after winning the Davis Cup.
Roger Federer had always treated the Davis Cup as a responsibility to represent his country, until Switzerland won for the only time in 2014.
“It was one of the most exciting times of my life,” said Federer, winner of a record 17 Slams.
Murray hopes the Davis Cup adrenalin pumps his career, currently at two Slams – the US Open in 2012, and Wimbledon 2013, beating Djokovic in both.
But there have been six losing Slam finals. He lost four Australian Opens – three to Djokovic and one to Federer – along with a Wimbledon to Federer and a US Open to Djokovic.
Murray dearly wants to break his Australian Open drought, and that’s the next Slam.
Of the big four, Djokovic has won five Australian Opens, Federer four, and Rafael Nadal one.
But Murray shares with Nadal the honour of winning Olympic singles gold – Nadal in 2008 at Beijing, Murray 2012 in London.
Barring injury, all four will be on duty in Rio de Janiero next year.
So how do the big four compare at Slam level?
Nadal with 14 Slams shows the way with 198 wins and 29 losses since he debuted in 2003.
Winning percentage 87.50.
Djokovic has won 10 Slams since he debuted in 2005, with 207 wins and 34 losses.
Winning percentage 85.89.
Federer’s won 17 Slams since be debuted in 1999, winning 297 matches with 49 losses.
Winning percentage 85.84.
Then Murray with is two Slams since deburtig in 2003, winning 153 matches, and losing 37.
Winning percentage 80.53.
But for the moment, centre stage belongs to Andy Murray and his Great Britain teammates, ending a 79-year Davis Cup drought.
spruce moose
Guest
Sorry David, i was in transit. Response: nadal has a record below djoker and fed on non clay. Federer also made 22 consecutive semi finals indicating an unparalleled measure of consistency on ALL courts, not just one. That Federer has reached more finals over the age of 30 than anyone else is also testament to his consistency. Fed has spent more time at number one than anyone else, ever. Federer is consistently near the top. Even in his twilight he is more consistant than nadal, who is being swept aside like a toy at Wimbledon now. Tennis is more than raw w/l David. Nadal has played 400 games less than Federer and is just one prevent higher than him. At approximately the same stage in his career, Federer was at 85.5% I stand by it, you have an appalling ability to analyse stats.
duecer
Guest
David, those stats don't tell the whole story - Jimmy Connors has a 81.9% wl, but you wouldn't put him amongst those top 3. Federer has been far more consistent than Nadal, often getting to the final or SF, whereas Nadal has exited early a few times, especially of late.
onside
Guest
Ah well Eric, you proved my opinion to be subjective.
eric
Guest
"Australia not within cooee"?? Thought we made semis.
onside
Guest
There was a time when the idea of England winning the Davis Cup,and Australia not within cooee of being a contender , would have been amplified in the media. But these days, does anybody care. How many young people could answer the question ,"what is the Davis Cup".Tennis will have its moment at The Australian open in January ,probably played in tortuous heat, before the caravan moves on for another year generating a sense of, "I've missed a tennis final, doesn't matter, there's another one on tomorrow"
David Lord
Expert
Where's your answer and/or your alternatives spruce moose, your silence is deafening.
David Lord
Expert
Nobody dislikes Rafael Nadal more than me, but stats don't lie. Career stats still have Nadal on top among the big four. Nadal - 767 wins, 160 losses - 82.74%. Djokovic - 686 - 145 - 82.45%. Federer - 1059 - 238 - 81.65% Murray - 549 - 163 - 77.11% That's two out of two spruce moose, so you come up with a set of stats to deny Nadal.
spruce moose
Guest
Lol. There are much smarter and more accurate ways to do that. Your stats would suggest that nadal is the best of the four simply because of a superior w/l when i don't think anyone would agree.
David Lord
Expert
Not so spruce moose, there's every point to be made. The big four have dominated the Slam singles by winning 42 out of the last 48, so it was interesting to compare their win-losses. Only five players have broken that dominance: Gaston Gaudio won the 2004 French. Marat Safin the 2005 Australian. Juan Martin del Potro the 2009 US. Marin Cilic the 2014 US. And Stan Wawrinka the 2014 Australian, and the 2015 French. The point has been made, and the big four Slam stats are hardly dreadful, they are impressive.
spruce moose
Guest
Jeez David, that's some dreadful statistical analysis at the end there. And....is their5 any point you are trying to make from that? Basic w/l stats don't even come close to telling the tale.