Here's a comment I found to be very interesting indeed.This was said by Jackie Stewart a former WorldChampion in F1.

Stewart: "Of the 22 Grand Prix drivers there's usually only about six that are really, really good. And out of those six there are usually only three extraordinary talents at one time. And out of those three there is generally only one genius at any one time.

"For a short window of time there might have been Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna together, but that was a rare occasion.

"There is generally only one genius at any one time and I think you're going to see Alonso taking on that mantle.

"I think the time has come when it is clear that Alonso is tomorrow and Michael is yesterday."


Now obviously he's talking about Grand Prix drivers,but I thought myself that this reasoning could apply to all sports.What are your thoughts guys on this in tennis terms?Think of any era including the current one where only one genius existed.Was there ever two at one time?I would love to know what everyone thinks. :shrug:

Tennis is a different kind of sport. Because of the different surfaces it is almost impossible to win everywhere, so what is a genius?

Fed is obviously one, because he's the undisputed number one on every surface except clay, on which he's number two. Nadal, however, at age 19(!) would have been the undisputed number one if Fed wasn´t there. Nadal will still have to prove he´s going to be here a long time.

Sampras obviously is a genius, but Agassi managed to win all 4 GS´s.

You had Lendl and McEnroe, Borg and McEnroe, Borg and Connors.

I would actually call the era of Edberg, Becker and Courier the weakest, because they all in the end were really never able to compete with Agassi and Sampras.

So, in my opinion the definition of a true sporting genius should be someone who not only can dominate other players, but also is able to do it for long time. Tennis has seen enough occasions were there two at the same time.

Just a little afterthought concerning the Edberg etc. era: allthough they all are multiple GS winners, they have won them in the beginning of their career, just like Lleyton Hewitt. It is very difficult to stay motivated after having a lot of succes, because you constantly need to keep improving.

The true champion therefore really needs to like his sport and not just like to win.

Firstly a quick definition of 'Genius'.

A genius in a particular sport is someone who seems just to have that innate ability, that 'X-Factor' that sets him/ her apart from others.

They can make things look easy, sometimes. Most certainly, they can make their rivals look second-rate (when in fact they are not). there is certainly something magical about their play, as usually a genius has some ability off the scale for usual people in that field.

They are extremely scarce too. As you say, only one usually turns up in a sport such as tennis at least in each generation, if that. To that extent I pretty much agree with the opening post.

Staying on tennis for a moment, how many women players could be called 'geniuses'? I think that it should be used sparingly, as you said, but wonder to whom it could apply in the women's game. I honestly can't think of many off the top of my head, right now.

genius
noun 1. someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and
originality; "Mozart was a child genius"; "he's smart
but he's no Einstein" [syn: mastermind, brain, Einstein]
2. unusual mental ability [syn: brilliance]
3. someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field [syn: ace,
adept, champion, sensation, maven, mavin, virtuoso,
hotshot, star, superstar, whiz, whizz, wizard,
wiz]
4. exceptional creative ability [syn: wizardry]
5. a natural talent; "he has a flair for mathematics"; "he has
a genius for interior decorating" [syn: flair]
[also: genii (pl)]

This is the definition according to a dictionary,and applying this to the history of the sport,I will offer a few names based on this.

1.Federer-Naturally talented,dazzlingly skilled,creative,and unusual mental ability.He pretty much has everything in the list.Despite all the weak era arguments,it's the distance between his ability and everybody else that sets him apart.Mcenroe summed up Roger best when he said that Federer has brought a few shots into tennis that he'd never seen before.

2.Sampras-I loved Agassi myself,and he would certainly qualify as extraordinary according to Jackie Stewart's comments,but a genius no.Sampras for me was less creative,and maybe not as much flair,but were talking about outstanding mental ability,talent,and skill in spades.So many times I have heard that it was the serve,but it wasn't the biggest at the time.but the mental ability to serve an ace when he needed it.His forehand awesome,excellent volleyer,and fluid mover.

3.Mcenroe-Just before the end of the wooden raquet era,I think he took the game to the highest level possible.The touch and feel in his hands,and all with an unorthodox style that any sane coach wouldn't teach to a student,which really sets him apart.Also conquered doubles as well as singles,and for me with Mac it's his continued high level of play on the seniors against different generations of players,which shows you how good he really was.Mcenroe obviously had less in the mental department,off court problems,and so forth,but I tend to think when the wooden racquet era ended his time ended.

I'm sticking with these three as I can't say with certainty about others claims as I haven't seen enough of their play to judge.I can't speak for the women as the post would go on forever.
Interestingly about Jackie's comments,he mentions one genius and a few extraordinary talents.This especially in tennis is where it gets cloudy,as players career's start and finish due to the short time span of high level tennis possible.The crossing over of one talent to another.Is there only one genius playing at a time?Or were there some extraordinary talents playing together at one time?

It's hard to say,but I'm rambling now so I'll stop.

I think its fair to say that two geniuses (?) lived together in the ladies game, and thats Seles and Graf. Were it not for the circumstances, surely theres no doubt that none of the other ladies would have got a look in if these two were both in the draw

Yeah geniuses in the womens game- Graf and Navratilova in terms of talents and achievments( for i feel genius is not just specific to talent). Seles was also very close in that department.

I feel in the future venus and serena will have some kind of label of genius, ourely for their shot-making ability and the impact they've had on the WTA.