Martina Navratilova vs Helena Sukova - Australian Open 1984 (SF)

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Martina Navratilova vs Helena Sukova - Australian Open 1984 (SF) | AO Classics

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Күн бұрын

Martina Navratilova goes up against Helena Sukova in the semi final of the 1984 Australian Open, hoping to win her seventh Grand Slam title in a row and complete a calendar Grand Slam.
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Пікірлер: 146

@stevelynch967 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve always wanted to see this match. Thank you so much. High quality and very close. Lots of hard hitting. Love Martina’s hair here!

@SG49478 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know if Martina ever commented on this but I assume this was one of the most painful losses for her in her entire career. 1984 was propably her most dominant season ever, coming into this SF undefeated for 10 months, only one loss to Mandlikova in the entire year before in January. She owned Chris even in Roland Garros. She was so close to win the true calendar Grand Slam, just 2 wins away from it. And then came Helena Sukova, who at this point wasn't even close to take a set from Martina. That was probably one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.

@stef1074 3 жыл бұрын

You forget 1983 when she was even more dominant and almost invincible. Only lost one match vs Kathy Horvath at the French. She exterminated Jaeger 0 and 3 at Wimbledon, and Chis Evert several times with ruthless victories : 4 and 0 in Dallas, 2 and 0 in MSG, 3 and 1 in LA and 1 and 3 at US Open. In six matches, Evert could only win one set. There were tournaments in which she only lost a few games, like LA, Dallas, Filderstadt, Eastbourne and Wimbledon. And she only lost 19 games winning the US Open, which is still a record standing in GS history if I'm not wrong. What's more, she won 16 tournaments, which was her record (14 in 84). Virginia Wade comment on Navratilova in Wimbledon 83 : "Navratilova is like a Ferrari out there racing with common cars. There is no way she can lose this tournament." So, for all these reasons, I would say 1983 was the peak oh her carreer...

@shihlin1 2 жыл бұрын

Martina came close to losing well before this tournament---the much-talked about 3 set win against Chris in U.S. Open final in September. Navratilova also was two points from defeat against her doubles partner, Pam Shriver, at a tournament in New Jersey, one week before the U. S. Open, winning that match 7-5 in the third. So, Martina was definitely pushed even before the Aussie Open. She was ripe for an upset.

@SG49478 2 жыл бұрын

@@shihlin1 Shriver has beat her 3 times before and Chris was her big rival. Helena never even came close to take a set off Martina, so the loss came kind of out of nowhere. And it may have been in her head. It was propably kind of the same what happened to Serena against Vinci and Djokovic against Medvedev. The pressure on the last step was simply too high.

@shihlin1 2 жыл бұрын

@@stef1074 You're right, 83 was her most dominant season. She didn't even come close to losing all year with exception of Horvath. But this is really nitpicking cuz 84 almost as dominant, but Martina had some close ones for sure.

@shihlin1 2 жыл бұрын

@@SG49478I don't think it was pressure that caused Joko to lose to Medvedev in US final. He was wiped out physically from his 5-set semi against Zverev. He'd been able to come back all year from 5 setters. Not this time. I think starting in 2022 his body will have harder time coming back from 5 setters from the round before. It's too bad it caught up to him in U.S. final.

@guyinsf 2 жыл бұрын

No one will ever break her 74 winning streak probably, man or woman or her 6 straight slams.

@shihlin1 3 жыл бұрын

Always wanted to see this match. Points were short and sweet. Thanks for taking another match off my bucket list 😊🙂😊

@franciscodeoliveira7935 3 жыл бұрын

Me too! And it’s amazing how Sukova served so well at 6/5 and how Navratilova saved so many’s match points.

@denny9232 2 жыл бұрын

When tennis was tennis, damn I miss those wonderful days

@shihlin1 3 жыл бұрын

During her dominant years (82-84) only time Martina made news was when she LOST. No other tennis player in the modern era had that aura of invincibility that Martina had, not even Graf or Seles. Only SIX losses betw 1982-84 combined. INSANE !

@zeddeka 3 жыл бұрын

Easier to make the case that Graf had a similar level of dominance, but definitely not Seles. Often forgotten now, but Monica lost on a fairly regular basis during her peak years, often quite easy matches. Monica coming through at the grand slams but much more vulnerable on the regular tour.

@SG49478 2 жыл бұрын

@Consuelo Patagonia I don't think winning percentages are useful for comparison. The number does not tell you anything about the quality of the opponent. If you win 300 consecutive matches on 15K tournaments you are still not better than Graf and Navratilova. The draws of the tournaments are coming into the equation which is not something you have any influence on as a player.

@guyinsf 2 жыл бұрын

@GoTeam I don't think Graf's better winning percentage at Wimbledon is going to hurt Martina. If you ask Steffi to trade her 89% winning for 9 titles instead of 7 she would jump on that faster than you can blink your eyes!

@jl3322 2 жыл бұрын

@GoTeam she can thank her nazi fan fir stabbing seles. Graf will always have an * next to her name in tennis history books.

@gopies1456 2 жыл бұрын

@Tom Leander Martina was a better player. Do people actually think steffi would of won 22 gs if Monica Seles who was dominating tennis from 1991 to April 1993!! Monica had won 7 out of 8 gs she had participated in 2 1/2 years. She had steffi’s measure except for grass. All the players from Navratilova and evert all said that Monica was well on her way to become the greatest female tennis player of all time. IMO Monica would of ended up Winning 20 gs and steffi 15

@shihlin1 2 жыл бұрын

@hardsam68 2 жыл бұрын

And being the hater of her that you are you would have partied hard eh

@shihlin1 2 жыл бұрын

@@hardsam68 Get off my comments you perv. And that makes your other alias Maxi Pad or Max Pazz. I'll report you on no end.

@sammyishy.579 2 жыл бұрын

@@hardsam68 catty old queen 😂

@zeddeka Жыл бұрын

It was said at the time that the longer Martina's winning streak went, the worse she played. Playing not to lose rather than to win.

@scswp6945 3 жыл бұрын

Does anyone have the 1989 Australian Open match between these two? I think it was the QF. Thanks.

@thomasmiles340 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. This match was so big, it made world-wide front page headlines. Cheers.

@ivandesantis858 2 жыл бұрын

at 16:35 Sukova hit a back hand slice from hell on a return of serve. Sukova used a punch backhand down the line at other times in the match to win points . She had nice variety in her game. Made it to 4 major finals and lost each time to people named Evert, Navratilova and Steffi. No shame in that. I think if her movement would have been just a touch quicker she'd have closed the deal on a few majors. Talented player.

@OCRATHLETE 2 жыл бұрын

agreed, if only her foot speed was one step quicker....

@gk891 2 жыл бұрын

This seemed to have been an issue with taller players at that time. There was not only Sukova but also Stove and Davenport as well. Venus kind of changed that trend when she came onto the scene.

@ivandesantis858 2 жыл бұрын

@@gk891 Well first of all Davenport won 3 majors and was a runner up in 4 other major finals so that tall player problem was dispelled before Venus. Davenport's hand eye was a thing of beauty. And because of it she was able to offset her limited mobility and have success.

@gk891 2 жыл бұрын

@@ivandesantis858 I was only referring to mobility in general. Not how great they could be as tennis players. Sorry, should have made that more clear!

@hongkongsmartboy 2 жыл бұрын

End of winning streak of Navratilova (record was locked at 74).

@OCRATHLETE 3 жыл бұрын

the Leaning Tower of Prague, Helena Sukova ...this match was the upset tennis match of the year 1984 in tennis magnitude until Roberta Vinci upset Serena Williams at the USO.2015........over a 30 year span ...so great to see the greatness of true serve/volley game

@Calicokit101 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing last game

@danguee1 Жыл бұрын

I wish the final had this picture quality. Brilliant

@johniii8147 2 жыл бұрын

Well earned by Sukova. She held her neve well. Couldn't' maintain it in the finals Tight first set with Chris I believe 7-6 and then Chris dominated the last two.

@karlbryant9242 2 жыл бұрын

Nice clean,clear video for a 1984 tennis match! the 80s! best decade for tennis!

@jamespeyton7312 3 жыл бұрын

This win was especially important to Sukovà whose mother was in charge of Navratilova when Navratilova defected. Sukovà spoke of the tough times her mother faced afterwards.

@shihlin1 2 жыл бұрын

Even tho Martina became a U.S. Citizen in 81, I've no doubt she always had intense emotions playing against Czech players, esp Hana. It brought out the best in Martina and sometimes when the match didn't go Martina’s way, it could get ugly. But not here. Martina knew she was outplayed that day. And I'm sure every time she played Sukova, it brought back memories of being "chaparoned" by Helena's mother, Vera, in the old days before she defected.

@hardsam68 2 жыл бұрын

@@rolandgreen7484 don’t ask shilin m8 he thinks he or she knows everything about tennis

@jamespeyton7312 2 жыл бұрын

@@rolandgreen7484 Sukova was really quiet about what happened to her mother and family and said only it was a difficult time for them when Navratilova defected.

@rivaridge7211 Жыл бұрын

Yes, very true James! Vera Sukova, Martina's coach (and a one-time Wimbledon finalist) was put through absolute hell by Communist authorities when her charge, Martina Navratilova, defected to the West in 1975. Vera died from brain cancer in 1982 (at age 50). Her daughter, Helena (as well as her son Cyril) carried on with quiet dignity and gained solid reputations in the sport.

@stevebbuk Жыл бұрын

@@shihlin1 Yes I thought there was some kind of mental struggle going on here. She seemed to want to rush every point, the wind didn't help her just as she collapsed against Tracy Austin in the 1981 US Open.

@franciscodeoliveira7935 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely fabulous! It’s certainly the biggest upset of all times. A great tribute to Helena Sukova who managed to win against the unbeatable Navratilova. Just one loss that year in Oakland ( Mandlikova).

@shihlin1 3 жыл бұрын

Both losses to Czechs that year----Ha, Ha !

@danguee1 3 жыл бұрын

How does that work: "just one loss"? She lost here to Sukova and then at Oakland to Mandlikova. Isn't that two losses?

@derekschrapel637 3 жыл бұрын

@@danguee1 one loss for the year prior to this match.

@franciscodeoliveira7935 2 жыл бұрын

Consuelo Patagonia. Outstanding performance! Horvath on clay, Mandlikova on carpet and Sukova on grass.

@leolight5369 2 жыл бұрын

Vinci beating Serena at the USO is up there too.

@TIZNYC 2 жыл бұрын

No one was happier than Chris!

@dhalpin73 Жыл бұрын

Such a historic match took place in a half empty stadium on what looks like a practice court.

@Dumballa 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for uploading this one.

@brocanova 3 жыл бұрын

The infamous super posh Kneissl gear

@zeddeka 4 ай бұрын

Sukova ended up giving Navratilova some of the most painful and important defeats of her career: * She effectiveky ended Martina's Australian Open singles career in 1989, after Martina had twice served to win their quarter final * She ended Martina's US Open career with a straight sets win in 1993. * At Eastbourne 1987 she came back from 0-5 down in the first set to beat Martina in straight sets * At the 1988 tour finals, she came back from a set and twice being down a break in the second set to beat Martina

@shihlin1 Ай бұрын

When you watch this match and realize how close Martina was to a calendar grand slam. Also, Serena fell in semifinal of U.S. Open in 2015, 2 matches away from grand slam, losing to Vinci. Even more amazing, Novak Djokovic ONE MATCH away from grand slam in 2021 before losing in U.S. Open final to Medvedev

@mmcian6957 3 жыл бұрын

Both Navratilova and Graff are GOATs of female tennis. But the only tennis player to achieve a Golden Slam was Steffi Graff. I love both.

@OCRATHLETE 3 жыл бұрын

the reason I give navratilova the edge in tennis numbers...over 80 times, navratilova won the singles and doubles at the same event. no one will ever come close to that achievement and navratilova also won each discipline of the grand slams singles, doubles and mixed at each slam. graf golden slam the ultimate in tennis as well...

@mmcian6957 3 жыл бұрын

@@OCRATHLETE I agree with you sir. As a former competitive tennis player myself, I have great respect for both the legends of female tennis.

@hongkongsmartboy 2 жыл бұрын

I would rather choose Evert + Navratilova as GOAT, because they are completely same-generation rivals (born in mid-1950s). Graf has big generation gap from them (born in 1969) and less strong rivals who are born between 1964-1974. (Seles got stabbed)

@yussepig6629 2 жыл бұрын

Graf was gifted half hercslams due to Seles stabbing. Chris and Martina were the GOATS.

@guyinsf 2 жыл бұрын

The whole "golden" slam thing is so over talked about. Graf was lucky in that her peak coincided with an Olympic years and before 1988 no big names participated in Olympics tennis.

@jmnny85 8 ай бұрын

One thing this tournament illustrated was how tough it was to beat Martina and Chris in the same tournament,Helena played a great first set against Chris in the final,won it,but Chris got tougher took the 2nd and dominated the third,she problem solved,her returns passes and stellar ground strokes mentality got her the victory over a very good Helana Sukova.

@HunterBidenCocaineBag 3 жыл бұрын

She probably had the right to be, but Martina was very sure of herself from 1982-1985, but especially in 1984. Nice video quality! Love it! Sukova sweating and wearing a sleeveless sweater - errrrrrrrrrr

@CarloChapelle 2 жыл бұрын

Of course she’s sure of herself. Even with this loss, that year’s 74 match win streak and her 6 slam championships in a row are still both unbeatable records today.

@zeddeka 3 жыл бұрын

A lot of commentary was made about Martina's performance here - on a record breaking streak, looking for the grand slam. It was said that the longer Martina's winning streak went on, the worse she played. She started playing not to lose rather than to win. You can see her get very hesitant and seize up after that first set. Think it's fair to say something similar happened to Novak Djokovic at the Olympics. Winning the first set, then seizing up.

@Milk-sc9jy 3 жыл бұрын

im not a tennis expert by any means but i think novaks body just gave up on him after 6-1 3-2, he very suddenly starts moving way slower, footwork isnt quite as good as the 1st set, visually distressed because he knows that he is in big trouble if he doesnt end the match fast, so he starts making frequent errors (very unusual of him) and this was his 3rd or 4th match in the last 24ish hours and even after that match he still had to play mixed doubles and win that aswell... if he hadnt played mixed i think he wouldve been more fresh, + the conditions that particular day in tokyo were one of the worst days (i think 80% humidity 30+ celsius, beyond unplayable conditions for anybody) zverev outlasted novak because hes 10 years younger, he started playing better, and wasnt slowing down...

@shihlin1 3 жыл бұрын

Novak shouldn't have played doubles in Tokyo, it took its toll on him. He never does it at the four grand slam tournaments, bad judgment call. The unusual muggy, humid weather was also excruciating too (Medvedev practically got pummeled by the humid conditions). Who knows, maybe nerves played a part too for Novak, so much riding on the line. Remember how close Serena was to capturing the grand slam till nerves took over in her upset at U.S. Open semis that year to that Italian doubles player. I can't even remember her name.

@zeddeka 3 жыл бұрын

@@shihlin1 Roberta Vinci was the player who beat Serena. Steffi Graf's thoughts on the grand slam are interesting. She said she was relieved not to have won it again in 1989 as the pressure would then have been way too much. When she did win it in 1988, she said she was so mentally and emotionally exhausted that she didn't want to leave her hotel room that night to celebrate.

@shihlin1 3 жыл бұрын

@@zeddeka Ah yes, her name escaped me. Thanks !

@christopherproietti645 3 жыл бұрын

we know Martina would still win a bunch of majors after this but, symbolically, this loss to Helena would put a crack in her aura of invincibility and end her total dominance at the Slams. Martina would never have another shot at a calendar year Grand Slam with a resurgent Chrissie and then Steffi stopping her in the French Open finals the next three years before Graf's ascension and Golden Slam. it's still an absolutely amazing accomplishment that Martina won six straight majors and lost only six times from '82-'84!

@raymondtaylor8525 3 жыл бұрын

Sukova beat her at Oz open a few times.

@POObumpoopo 3 жыл бұрын

18:32 great returning.

@zeddeka 6 ай бұрын

The end of Martina's hyper invincible run. In the next 5 grand slams, she won only 2, and would lose the #1 spot for a period to Evert: *1985 French Open - lost to Evert. *1985 Wimbledon - won. *1985 US Open - lost to Mandlikova *1985 Australian Open - won *1986 French Open - lost to Evert

@markhobson5769 Жыл бұрын

1984 was the final year the Australian Open tennis tournament was sponsored by Marlboro.

@jmnny85 8 ай бұрын

Funny how the same tension and the moment that got to Martina,also got to Serena and Djokovic when they were going for their calendar year Grand slam. Also the Bryant brothers were going for a calendar year Grand slam in doubles and lost in the final.

@Menexpert 2 жыл бұрын

A marked difference in their racquet head size. Whilst Martina is obviously the better player I do think some of her success was taking the chance on technology enabling her to be even more dominant during the early 80’s.

@leolight5369 2 жыл бұрын

It's not Martina's fault if Evert kept playing with a wooden racquet for too long.

@zeddeka 4 ай бұрын

That constant search to improve, to get every possible edge, was what made Martina great back then. She was cutting edge with a lot of things, whether it was her racquet, her diet or her physical training.

@jl3322 3 жыл бұрын

And Evert beats her in the final-love it.

@haktanhazerman1326 3 жыл бұрын

Could you please also post the 1993 Monica Seles-Steffi Graf finale 🙏

@zeddeka 3 жыл бұрын

It's already widely available on KZfaq

@thierrybonnet8979 11 ай бұрын

Bravo Héléna!

@BTURNER1961 Жыл бұрын

These tall serve/vollers were a problem for Martina because they had that long reach. Her lefty hook serve was only a step away from Shriver, Kodhe Kilch and Sukova, and they could blanket the net without much trouble. She had these odd weird losses to these younger tall players, while Chris had none until after her slam winning days were already over. Evert's game was completely different. Her notorious return dipping at their feet was her weapon. She kept them running from side to side to side along the baseline, exposing their mobility issues with her deceptive accurate groundstrokes. They were always being wrong-footed off balance. Body type makes a big difference in match-ups.

@ShangDaiNagaland 2 жыл бұрын

Most upsetting moment in WTA history...😟😟🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆MARTINA THE LEGEND, THE CHAMP 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

@kubbeli8314 3 жыл бұрын

Please bring ao classics jingle back on match points plsss

@thierrybonnet8979 11 ай бұрын

Lesbienne raisonnable!

@BTURNER1961 2 жыл бұрын

They played 32 matches in their head to head of which Sukova won 6 and lost 26 for 18.8% to 81.3%. But she had less success against Hana Mandlikova winning only 2 of 12 for 14% to Hana's 85.7% and even less against Evert with the same 2 wins in 19 matches leaving Sukova only 10.5% to Chris's 89.5%. Even more of a pounding came from Steffi who lost only 1 match in 22 meetings. The only higher ranked (briefly) players that Sukova had a worse showing against than Martina was Shriver and Sabatini. Helena won 25% against Shriver's 75% and 33% against Gabriella. Interesting.

@raymondtaylor8525 2 жыл бұрын

Martina was a very sore loser and childlike with loses! Sukova Mandlikova always gave her tough matches and beat her many times!

@kenmoreSF 10 ай бұрын

I thought Sukova had better first serve than this.

@sammyishy.579 2 жыл бұрын

Afterwards these two went into the locker room and ate each other's 🐱

@philippeyared2050 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent. Unlike for men, the level of women's tennis seems to have gone down since

@lenwelch2195 2 жыл бұрын

What strikes me here is how muscular Martina is and her gate - last time we ever saw her so ripped and impatient as if annoyed she had to play a third set . Her confidence waning when Helena up 32 and break serve for fortune and Martina really still very much in the set but in less than three minutes she’s her four minute she’s lost a set and that’s not the Martina that we know that’s the Martin of the mid 70s and I think the pressure of the build up to attaining the grand slam I think she had a one in her mind before she played the match before she walked on the court and I am she couldn’t help but feel that way because she was absolutely without a doubt the best player in the women’s game. But Martina sees a vultures land when there aren’t any vultures and she made Helena more of a threat to her than she really was and this follow just weeks later late January this was in December 1984 and late January 1985 she lives this for the first time in 1314 matches to Chris Evert but then again Chris and Helena both played the matches of their lives app I don’t think anybody even Chris herself said that she’s never returned better than in the first Saturday at 6264 win but I think Martina just was tiredFrom all the gym work rather than the tennis work because we don’t see Martina as muscular after this match. A great win for Helena

@francescobattisti9926 2 жыл бұрын

it's unbelieveble. between 84 and 86 tennis became another sport. due to the arrival of players born with the new rackets. this match could have taken place in the 60'

@smftrsddvjiou6443 3 жыл бұрын

So many easy errors.

@user-jv9qz2bu1r Жыл бұрын

big girl

@danguee1 3 жыл бұрын

At match points: keep hitting and serving to Martina's forehand. Keep getting passed! Advice: engage brain....

@good2freelance1 2 жыл бұрын

Martina used a better racquet (bigger and more modern), unfair advantage.

@guyinsf 2 жыл бұрын

You are silly! Were all the other players not allowed to use the same racket she was using?

@MistahhMingus 3 жыл бұрын

Dang……. this is boring someone had to say it

@The_Great_One 3 жыл бұрын

For goodness sake, what horrible quality tennis it was back then, especially on the women's tour. The worst errors you'll ever see. Horrific backhands aplomb.

@zeddeka 3 жыл бұрын

@kjmcindoe6408 3 жыл бұрын

I don't agree. Two very talented players playing aggressive all court tennis. That means a greater number of errors but also more winners rather than the samey, monotonous rallies of today's women players. The Great One is Djokovic, btw

@snifferdogxsnifferdogx5977 3 жыл бұрын

Stupid comment. Unless you were playing competition or professional tennis in the 80s with all the racquets being significantly smaller than today's, then you really just ought to shut up.

@The_Great_One 3 жыл бұрын

@GoTeam LOL, no they didn't. Martina serve volleys out wide and hits volley into open court. Rinse, repeat. The horrible tennis is the many shitty backhand returns into the net on 2nd serves lol, the extremely inconsistent groundstroke, etc