ATP Trivia Time!

[El Dude]

I like this as its own thread - everyone feel free to contribute questions, and may I suggest that all questions are written in bold.

 

[El Dude]

To continue the theme of age-related trivia (I'll expand beyond that)...

QUESTION: In 2008, the last title was won by a player born 1973 or earlier (what I call the "Last Great American Generation" of 1969-73). He was the only player born in 1973 or before to win titles after 2005 (the last year Agassi won a title) - and a full six years after Sampras' retirement. Who is this player?

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Fabrice Santoro

 

[El Dude]

Yup. Too easy?

 

[El Dude]

QUESTION: SEVEN players have been both the youngest title winner in a calendar year and the oldest title winner in another calendar year. Who are they?

In chronological order of first year with a title:

1. Amritraj 1973, 86
2. Connors 1972, 88-89
3. Agassi 1987, 2002-05
4. Hewitt 1998-2000, 2014
5. Monfils 2005, 2025
6. Nadal 2004, 2022
7. Djokovic 2006-07, 2024

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Rafael Nadal (Youngest 2004; oldest 2022)
Gael Monfils (Youngest 2005; oldest 2023, most likely 2025)
Novak Djokovic (Youngest 2006; oldest 2024)

Andre Agassi (Youngest 1987; oldest 2005)

 

[El Dude]

Rafael Nadal (Youngest 2004; oldest 2022)
Gael Monfils (Youngest 2005; oldest 2023, most likely 2025)
Novak Djokovic (Youngest 2006; oldest 2024)

Andre Agassi (Youngest 1987; oldest 2005)

You got four of SEVEN...I didn't include Monfils initially but will, considering no one older will win a title in 2025.

 

[El Dude]

I added the answers above. Probably no one would have gotten Vijay Amritraj.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

I was about to guess Connors, but I would have never put Hewitt (I know he was a youngest, but would have never guessed an oldest because his career was so frontloaded) and I have no idea who Vijay Amritraj was. I would have thought he was a golfer, lol.

 

[Moxie]

I added the answers above. Probably no one would have gotten Vijay Amritraj.

Nobody can even spell it without googling!

 

[El Dude]

Amritraj was a pretty good player with a long career: first match in 1970, last in '93. 16 titles, all ATP 250 equivalent.

 

[El Dude]

Riffing off of a conversation in another thread....we'll move into Roland Garros trivia.

QUESTION 1: Who is the TALLEST player(s) to win the French Open in the Open Era?

QUESTION 2: Who is the SHORTEST player(s) to win the French Open in the Open Era?

 

[El Dude]

Spoiler: ANSWERS

Tallest is a tie between Yannick Noah and Andres Gomez, both of whom are 6'4".

Shortest is Ken Rosewall, who won Roland Garros in 1968 at 5'7."

I wasn't surprised by Rosewall, but was a bit surprised by Noah and Gomez...didn't realize they were that tall. I was guessing it would be Novak (6'2") or maybe Kafelnikov (6'3"). DIdn't realize Guga is 6'3", too. The most recent short guy to win was Gaston Gaudio at 5'9."

 

[Moxie]

OK, I'll guess, then look. We're talking men's side only, right? Shortest might be Michael Chang, because he was so young. And tallest....I can't think of who would be taller than Djokovic, who's just an inch taller than Roger and Rafa. As Margaret and I were discussing, the tall trees don't tend to do as well on clay. (Was that the inspiration?)

 

[El Dude]

OK, I'll guess, then look. We're talking men's side only, right? Shortest might be Michael Chang, because he was so young. And tallest....I can't think of who would be taller than Djokovic, who's just an inch taller than Roger and Rafa. As Margaret and I were discussing, the tall trees don't tend to do as well on clay. (Was that the inspiration?)

Yep, that was where I got the idea for the question. And yes, men's side.

Interesting thought about Chang...I didn't even think to consider that he wasn't fully grown when he won RG at 17 years old. But he's listed as 5'9"...there are at least two guys shorter who won RG.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think Yannik Noah could be the tallest male player to win Roland Garros? just guessing

 

[El Dude]

I think Yannik Noah could be the tallest male player to win Roland Garros? just guessing

He and Andres Gomez are both listed as 6'4" - so yes, they're the tallest winners.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He and Andres Gomez are both listed as 6'4" - so yes, they're the tallest winners.

Finally I got 1 right lol!

 

[lomaha]

This must be a sister?

 

[Moxie]

I was surprised Noah was so tall. I thought of him, and Guga, but decided not to google. I also read the spoiler, and was shocked by the shortest! That is someone who played much taller to me, on TV, or in memory.