I do not think that there is any other player in the history of Tennis who was as determined as Ivan Lendl to be the best player in the world.He lost 5 grandslam finals initially but he came back very strongly to win 8 grandslams (3 French open,3 US open,2 Australian open).He lost 2 Wimbeldon finals in 1986 and 1987.Over all he won 94 titles.He was world number 1 for 270 weeks.Absolutely a great legend,one of the all time great, beyond doubt and ambiguity.

Lendl was the reason I started playing tennis, after watching that epic french open live in 1984. What a legend, thanks mate.

"well, saved me a lot of time ever talking to SI again..." epic!!! one of the top 10 greats of tennis!!

Ivan Lendl is a role model for hardwork, consistency, modesty, courage and never give up attitude. True champion. We are fortunate to have witnessed his peak level of tennis during the 80s.

He was the reason I worked everyday on a tennis court. Most of the time by myself, just serving and running laps. Never played college tennis, quit playing after high school. But after 30 yrs I picked up a racquet again, and became a 4.5 player within two years once I started playing. Ivan Lendl didn’t care that people laughed at him. I didn’t care when people would laugh at me when I was 17 years old serving at 11pm at night at the high school after I finished working on the farm. I know, who cares. I cared.

A real Icon. A Legend.A 200% professional. No showman. A real worker. No paradise bird. Under the best 5 no. 1 players in ranking of all time. This says a former Boris Becker fan from Germany. Ivan was greatness.

talk about a guy who is underrated.....

I was a ballboy at the 1994 Volvo International in New Haven, CT - I worked one of Ivan's matches. Talk about intense and extremely particular, and damn that sawdust got all over the place. Ah, memories.

Always admired Ivan Lendl...no nonsense and all business on the court. I don’t blame him for not ever talking to Sports Illustrated. That was totally cruel. Just ignorance and tackless. Enjoyed the video.

Best player of His time ... set the standards for future generations for becoming "True Professional Tennis Player"....

One of the best one handed backhanders of all time!

Lendl went t o US Open final 8 times in a row and won 3 titles there. This is despite the crowd always against him. That crowd preferred the locals McEnroe and Connors who behaved awful in the 80s. What an incredible achievement by Lendl! He did it the hard way. Love the fact he had a winning record against both McEnroe and Connors.

Lendl was amazing and one of the first to realize how important fitness was and pushed himself to greatness. Was an inspiration in the United States to a generation.

The best player! Don't worry about what they thought about you! We LOVE YOU!! :-)

Sampras wrote in his book that Lendl was underrated

Took the game to a new level - nutrition, fitness, professionalism. Intelligent player. Fierce competitor. Humorous off court.

I grew up watching you Ivan on television. You were one of my idols, and you know what, i am a swede. I didn´t care, i loved how you played.

He is the man!!! He coached Andy and got GS, he is now coaching Zverev and got ATP final champion. Being a coach is much difficult than being a player and he succeed in both, thumb up!!!

He was my Idol 🙂

This is the man who laid the foundations of modern Tennis that we know today. He did not win more grand slams because he had to play with great legends, the ones of his time and the new ones. Federer, without discussing his extraordinary quality, easily won half of his slams without demanding too much, until Nadal and Djokovic appeared.

I always admired Lendl because he was a hard working champion. He took tennis to a new level including fitness. His matches were always exciting can’t take that away from him win or lose.

I have been watching tennis since 1980. My first idol was Borg, my second was Lendl.

Lendl transformed the sport in the early ‘80s with his systematic approach to training. Nutrition, weightlifting and early-morning aerobics became a standard part of the tennis-player’s regimen, and no detail was too small to consider. Before Lendl, it was unthinkable that a player would switch racquets with every ball change, in case the properties of the frame had altered during those nine games. After Lendl, it became standard practice. It wasn’t just Lendl’s physical fitness that improved; his mental toughness did as well. He lost six of his first seven major finals, but by the mid-1980s he had transformed himself from soft to steely. Lendl would finish with eight major titles and 94 titles overall-15 in his breakout season of 1982. Lendl couldn’t match Jimmy Connors’ 109 titles, but he passed Jimbo in weeks spent at No. 1, 270 to 268. For all of Lendl’s effort and professionalism, he struggled to win the love of fans and press: “The Champion That Nobody Cares About,” Sports Illustrateddubbed him in 1985. But his annual attempts to capture the only tournament that eluded him, Wimbledon, made him a more sympathetic figure. As always, Lendl went all out to make it happen, remaking his game for grass and skipping the French Open to prepare. The fact that this born baseliner reached two finals on Wimbledon’s then-slick turf was just one more in his long list of (over)achievements

Lendl is a member at a golf course I worked at. Super cool to talk to

Met this man. So kind.

Good to see this side of the man. Always found him a bit aloof and stoic, but I stand corrected! He ruled the second half of the 80s. Thanks for the upload, appreciated.

I followed Lendl after Borg retired. I liked his pursuit of excellence and his desire to win.

Very good documentary, thank you for uploading. Love Lendl, always did.

Lendl and Edberg were the reason I started to play tennis in 1985 , the love for tennis will be until my end

A great sportsman, a great guy. Salute Ivan Lendl

Many days i went to school during the 1980s on very little sleep. I remember watching Lendl beat McEnroe in that French Open final. The game finished in the early hrs of the morning here in Australia. The middle of the year was a rough time for me sitting up late watching the french and wimbledon. Watching Lendl helped me to learn to hit a top spin backhand. He had the best win loss record against all the other top players in his era. He was a weapon.

Mac fan here but immense respect for lendl. He and john seem like friends now which is ironic. Nice to see. They have a respect and something genuine between them these days. Both are strong personalities and exceptionally bright which they both appear to recognize and appreciate in one another.

Great documentary with many unique sections! Especially like the section when Ivan talks about getting early mentorship from Wojtek Fibak. Fibak understood extremely well Ivan's needs as he also was from the same part of divided Europe and was friend with other Czech players. He recognized Ivan's analytical skills and self discipline and provided very much need experience to address his mantis's needs. In addition, Fibak inspired Ivan to collect Mucha's art to "distract" him from tennis. Finally, having residence in CT was instrumental to US Open success; perhaps driving I-287/I-95 was the ideal way how to rest and reset the brain and reach home base.

My favourite player at time. That backhand down the line. Wow

Ivan..you are my inspiration in life. I adore and absolutely respect every thing you have achieved in your career. Your integrity, hardwork, preparation, dedication is unrivalled. You r the hero of many like me in India. You have taught us to think big, plan meticulously, work harder than competition, be disciplined and become the best you can be. We have the highest regard for you and as Sampras himself says, you r the best of your generation and top 5 GOAT.Hats off to you👍

Really a legend of tennis.Very calm composed and determined man on the court.Very cool and never went out of control. Never let his emotions overcome his play. Control everything with a small Jerk of his shoulders. A roll model for everyone in the 80's. Really really a great man and a great player.

I've been convinced this man is the pioneer of the modern game. Embrace the most modern racquet technology. Out-train your rivals. build your game around forehand and 1st serve. Dominate from the baseline. Even his employment of young up-and-coming hitting partners like Sampras and Agassi. I feel this is the foundation of being a modern champion. And the game has evolved from His starting points. Since then the other things that've been added are the Clay-excellence elements like great defense, returning serves, Extreme Western-grip forehands, superhuman topspin, & mitigating vulnerability on your backhand. These used to give advantage on clay but translate mostly on all surfaces now

I'm 55 yrs old. In the 80's and 90's I liked Edberg, Becker, Sampras and also Agassi, more than Ivan. But I'm sure that if Lendl play now, with the actual rackets and the actual athletic training, he would win also Wimbledon and more and more than 8 Grand Slam Tournaments. A Real Legend.

Awesome player back in the day and awesome coach now,Alexander Zverev is his new challenge, this collaboration I feel is going to be something amazing for modern tennis 💥

Lendl's and Borg's passing shots. Jaw dropping. I loved both guys.

Ivan Lendl is awesome! Great documentary, thank you for uploading.

great máster ivan lend ! Que tremendo jugador!j gracias a el aun soy fanático de las raquetas kneissl y adidas.gracias por subir este capítulo.

Such an idol for me. One of the greatest players of all time. What an effort he did for tennis and what a powerhouse on the Court.

any regrets: “didnt win enough”....(smirking)....haha you have to love Lendl.

Always cheered for Lendl in the 80s... no nonsense, lunch bucket type of guy who didn't care for theatrics.

Lendl was a greater champion than McEnroe! He won more majors (8-7), more titles, more time at #1 and more head to head. If it wasn't for personality issues, everyone would acknowledge that. One of the greatest and most underrated champs ever. Plus his training methods were to be emulated by players even today.

My favorite tennis player of all time. Man i miss watching you play Lendyl. I picked up his rhythm , i didnt use sawdust but his grip adjustment before he served i always did. I miss this generation of tennis. My 2nd fav for sure is Federer and then Nadal (always will love agassi) . But now, you have mostly just those top 3 where in Lendl's time, my god, where do i start naming the tennis players that were number 1. Anyway, great memories watching this. Your hungry and drive is unmatched.

I love Lendl and I grew up learning the game while he was on top of his game. He taught me to play because I literally copied all of his strokes, and they actually suited me pretty well. I had two of his racquets (1 Adidas and 1 Kneissl) but they were both stolen from me! Maybe someday if I have extra money I could get one. I’d like to have the Mizuno version of his kniessl (had the larger head one I’m taking about small head) that’s the only one I’ve never held. Lendl was important in my young life and I hope to meet him someday. Would be a dream come true to hit some balls with him. I love ya Ivan Lendl.

He was awesome! he showed that nerves could be over come and he inspire me to stick with tennis and coach about 50 students over my lifetime on a one handed back hand and power serving. My knowledge and experience in IM competitions is an added bit to help them in conditioning and nutrition. Thank you sr. I paid no attention to US media!

Fond memories of watching Lendl, I wish he'd won Wimbledon in 1990

Amazing! Just Amazing. Can't get enough.

That running forehand down the line, saw dust in the pocket, ace down the Centre service line and fitness to spare were legendary,

The Forgotten tennis Legend! I just feel with Sampras, Agassi, Borg, Laver, Connors, even McEnroe and obviously the big 3 playing now Ivan Lendl always gets lost in that shuffle. He was one heck of a tennis player!

Extraordinario Ivan lendl !! gracias a el me motivó a jugar Tenis y posteriormente trabajar en mi pais en éste lindo deporte.

19:06 Lendl is excelling in fitness, nutrition for endurance by '85 while McEnroe appears hungover among "other things" sniff, sniff 19:06 you're looking at the 80's "Federer and Nadal".

Lendl was my favorite as a kid and as a teenager. I followed and cheered for him religiously. He is one of the tennis greats (top 10 for sure) and to this day underrated. He was tennis from 85 to 89. To this day, I watch his matches and am still amazed how masterful he was. I wish he had won just one Wimbledon. That 89 loss to Becker in the semis being 2 sets to 1 up when the rains came to delay the match really crushed me. The 89 US Open Final loss to Becker was also devastating. If I had to pick one more match he could win, it would be one of those two.

In a conversation published in the house magazine of the bank I worked for, Dutch tennis player Tom Okker told Ivan Lendl that he had put a full stop to his career although he was still in excellent condition. Because, as Tom explained, he wanted to continue playing tennis enjoying it, free of pressure. Lendl's reply was: "You don't know how I envy you. I would like to do the same, but I can't. I'm number three in the world now, and I know that one day I will be at the top". And so he did. .-

Great documentary on one of the greats. I would always say then that Connors was my idol because I thought I could relate to his tennis -- flat ground stokes or lots of side spin; two handed backhand; meh serve. But, secretly, it was Lendl's tennis I wish I had (while keeping my two-handed backhand.) He was fit; his serve was big; his forehand was even bigger; his backhand was outstanding. He was the complete player for me. He even wore the best designed T-shirt (the one with the diamond pattern). I always wished I could deconstruct my forehand and copy his. Those on-the-run dipping cross court forehands and topspin lobs. Too late to change my technique but I got his on-court demeanour. There was a feeling of abandonment, though, when he just sort of quietly stepped back and out of the scene.

cool video , sleepless nights at Australian Open , my idol in the 80th :-) !

Great documentary. The Wimbledon battles with Becker were legendary matches. Many of them were marred by rain delays with momentum swings.

he is so modest and has written tennis history, he is very down to earth.

The media was completely unfair to Ivan. You would have thought that they would have liked him for defecting, as they liked Martina. He was a great guy who liked to have fun, and a great athlete, and they created this image of him as a robot and a flat personality. Most people, unfortunately, are sheep, and believe what the media tell them, but plenty of us really liked Ivan and his game.

I always watched his game on TV growing up. He's one of my favorite players, aside from Stefan Edberg, that made me fall in love with tennis as kid. I just play tennis as a hobby...and I am almost 50 now, and still play sometimes.

Such a well spoken intelligent man. One of the best of all times. I see lendl in djokovic a lot.

My sister had poster in her room she was a big fan of Ivan Lendl . Unfortunately she is not there now

Brings back wonderful memories of when I was young and starting tennis while watching these greats.

One of the best ever-great champion and great professional,absolutely the best tennis player in 1985-1990.

What a great guy! I watched this because I didn’t know anything about him. Iam a fan now! 🤗

One of the best to ever play the game and certai my the most undervalued of all. Amazi g pkayer and man

Greatest player at that time.

Best match I ever saw was Lendl vs Noah S/F at French Open. I love Noah but Lendl was epic that day!

Lendl probably dominated the most difficult tennis era of all times, changing the underground from extremely slow clay courts to extremely speedily courts from week to week. He ist the only player winning three tournaments in three weeks on different grounds.Beginning in the late 80`s there was an alignment of undergrounds - making it easier for players with a good service to win short ralleys like Sampras and Ivanisevic.

to watch tennis was so much more enjoyable then

Lendl was an extraordinary talent. They said he couldn't play on grass, but they guy played in 7 Wimbledon Semi-Finals.......

The most underrated tennis player Champion that there has been. He deserves a lot more credit than has been given to him

my all time favourite

My favorite tennis player. When he played, he ruled...

Ivan Lendl, a great tennis player, is still honored in Ukraine

The last statement sums up the attitude of the legend Lendl.

My favorite tennis player of all times. I truly enjoyed his game and ice-cold personality.

je suis français et de la même génération qu'IVAN LENDL. J'ai vu ses matchs à la TV et je reconnais que c'est un très grand champion....même s'il ne souriait pas beaucoup.... ;-) BRAVO M r LENDL I am French and of the same generation as IVAN LENDL. I saw his matches at the TV and I recognize that it is a very big champion even if he did not smile a lot ;-)

Growing up through the 80's and loving Tennis Lendl was like the evil villain for a young McEnroe, Connors fan. Lendl won 8 GS's in an era that had 10-15 guys battling to be #1. As opposed to the past 20 years where there's only 2-4 tops guys. Of course guys are going to win much more. Connors 8, Lendl 8, McEnroe 7, Wilander 7, Becker 6, Edberg 6 ...

Lendl was the reason I started hitting hard. Ivan is my tennis idol for me. I pray that he has long healthy life for his family and all his tennis fans.

I loved watching him play in the 80s on TV. I found him different & special.

I saw him in the French Open Final 1981 and then I was a Fan forever. Great Man of Excellence, a very true Charakter.

'Precious interview.... really special!'

I've been a Lendl fan since I was a kid and I had no idea how important living in CT was for his success (especially at the US Open), and that the main reason he hired Tony Roche was because Tony was left-handed. Very good documentary!

He started a new style of hitting the ball and fitness in tennis! Hit hard and have the stamina to go 5 sets with no issues! Great player, love watching him play specially when he was beating McEnroe🥰

Great player!!!

Ivan 😍

Lendl was a Warrior. Great Champion.

Any regrets? Lendl: Didn’t win enough!! Hahaha You’re always my hero Lendl! And I love the integrity of NEVER talking to SI!! On court rivalries are understandable but the media creating and stoking the flames of politics and trying to snare you into their narrative to sell more magazines- NOT FAIR!

One of the greatest athletes and person and my favorite of 1980s.

Shame he didn't win Wimbledon, he did come close in 1986,1987 by reaching the finals. He was a great adversely for McEnroe, Wilander and Becker in the 1980s.

Awesome documentary !

The pioneer of modern tennis

The Lendl McEnroe rivalry shaped my tennis, volley like Mac, pound the server and groundies like Ivan. To me Ivan's backhand down the line was the best shot in tennis.

He reached 2 Wimbledon finals and did every thing possible to win there.Unfortunately he could not adjust to fast grass court.If only Wimbledon was played on slow grass as it is played now,he would have won it multiple times.

Ivan Lendl was my hero and I always admired him. I wanted to play like him and I imitated him on the court. The only regret is the fact that he never triumphed at Wimbledon. As for the rest he was superb, consistent and steadily a number 1

the end dialog, the last photo and the bgm gave me goosebump.