Down the T: #1 Chris Lewis Interview

[britbox]

Down The T — a new regular blog slot where we interview an assortment of people from the world of tennis. In our first installment, we interview Chris Lewis, the 1983 Wimbledon runner-up and former Junior #1 and Junior Wimbledon champion.

Chris went far beyond what I hoped for - he provided us with some great insight on his rise to the top of pro tennis, his duels with McEnroe, Borg, Connors, Lendl, and his views on the game today - Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray along with the decline in Serve and Volley..

See http://www.tennisfrontier.com/blogs/britbox/down-the-t-1-an-interview-with-chris-lewis/ for the full interview.

Chris runs a tennis shop now in California, so if you need any new gear - take a look at http://www.tennis-experts.com

 

[Kieran]

That's excellent, brother! Very interesting article. I remember that Wimbledon well, but Chris's memory is sterling. His description of McEnroe is an expert's inside view. He's really insightful. And in discussing comparison across the eras: context.

But he seems tuned in everywhere. Good analysis on the death of S&V, and he doesn't speak in vague generalisations or sappy nostalgia about his time in the game. The man's a gent! Well done to you, too...

 

[britbox]

Cheers Kieran - Chris gave us way more than I expected and is a true gent.

 

[Kieran]

Cheers Kieran - Chris gave us way more than I expected and is a true gent.

Did you meet him? Or was it by email?

 

[britbox]

Cheers Kieran - Chris gave us way more than I expected and is a true gent.

Did you meet him? Or was it by email?

No, it was all done via a series of emails.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Great Interview and excellent blog Bribox.

 

[jhar26]

It was a time when, asked about his chances of winning the US Open, Jimmy replied, "Well, put it this way, there are 127 losers here and me." Jimmy won. †- briljant.

Great interview, Britbox.

 

[coban]

Good job guys!

 

[Mog]

Excellent interview Britbox.
Really enjoyed reading it.

 

[Kieran]

It was a time when, asked about his chances of winning the US Open, Jimmy replied, ‘Well, put it this way, there are 127 losers here…and me.’ Jimmy won. ”

Yeah, what would you give to hear a top player talk like that now... :idea:

 

[britbox]

It was a time when, asked about his chances of winning the US Open, Jimmy replied, ‘Well, put it this way, there are 127 losers here…and me.’ Jimmy won. ”

Yeah, what would you give to hear a top player talk like that now... :idea:

The likes of Jimmy Connors don't even come around once in a generation. At least not ones who can put their money where their mouth is. As Chris alluded to - a golden age of tennis.

 

[tennisville]

I would like to know when the golden era view is for different people . I always thought that the late 80s early 90s was the golden era of tennis . Do many people hold that view as well or is it just me

Also fantastic read and would love reading more articles

 

[britbox]

I would like to know when the golden era view is for different people . I always thought that the late 80s early 90s was the golden era of tennis . Do many people hold that view as well or is it just me

Also fantastic read and would love reading more articles

Interesting question and I think sometimes it might be clouded by whatever age you were growing up.

For me, the very late 70s and early 80s was a golden age because tennis punched above it's weight and was pretty high profile. In the UK at that time, we only had 3 TV channels and Wimbledon was on most of the day, so pretty much everybody who did well at Wimbledon was prime time. So I kind of ate my lunch and tea watching the likes of Borg, McEnroe, Connors etc...

Then from a more personal dimension, I was a massive fan of Stefan Edberg a few years later. I'm not sure if that was a global golden age but tennis was high profile with the likes of an ageing Mac, Becker, Edberg, Wilander etc...

I faded away from the sport a little in the mid-late 90s, but I'm sure most Americans would regard that as a golden age with the likes of Sampras, Agassi, Courier, Chang etc..

A lot of people regard now as being a golden age, and I guess it is in some respects but I'd also hazard a guess it is nowhere near as mainstream as the late 70s/early 80s due to the proliferation of TV channels, video games etc... Too many other alternatives.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Great interview BB. What I remember about that final is that my dad and I were watching it on tv, black and white of course, and it was on one of the two channels we had, both state owned, and in the middle of it or somewhere thereabouts they cut it to show the final of the traditional Turkish Olive Oil Wrestling final, the 600th annual championship or something...Boy was I pissed...I think I did not eat olives for a month...

 

[britbox]

Great interview BB. What I remember about that final is that my dad and I were watching it on tv, black and white of course, and it was on one of the two channels we had, both state owned, and in the middle of it or somewhere thereabouts they cut it to show the final of the traditional Turkish Olive Oil Wrestling final, the 600th annual championship or something...Boy was I pissed...I think I did not eat olives for a month...

LOL... Olive oil wrestling... Hilarious stuff.

 

[shawnbm]

Really nice read, especially his take on the Wimbledon experience and McEnroe in the final. You gotta love the comment Connors made about the US Open (really, could anyone else have made that statement--and then followed through?). Oh, Jimbo, how I miss seeing you play.

 

[ftan]

Thanks Britbox, you guys are doing an amazing job.

I wasnt born when these guys played, really started watching tennis in my early teens when Pete used to play. He was really the reason I started watching tennis and then I fell in love with it when Fed came along. Its more of a generation thing I guess.

But getting an insight of how the greats played os amazing. I have seen some of the matches and read a lot about the tempers that used to run
I have seen Michael Stitch play oh and he used to be explosive on the court.

Game has changes and players like Chris Lewis can give us a great insight of past and present.

Enjoyed reading it a lot

 

[coban]

I would love to see an in-depth interview with Robin Söderling about his win against Nadal @ Roland Garros. Especially i would like to hear some of the things about preparations, mindset, tactics, his thoughts during the game, execution - how he felt when winning that specific point.

I know im asking alot, but if you can make it happend i'd start pay for your content

 

[jhar26]

Seems like the great man himself has joined the forum.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I would love to see an in-depth interview with Robin Söderling about his win against Nadal @ Roland Garros. Especially i would like to hear some of the things about preparations, mindset, tactics, his thoughts during the game, execution - how he felt when winning that specific point.

I know im asking alot, but if you can make it happend i'd start pay for your content

I wouldnt.. His plan was very simple, hit the ball hard, when Rafa hits a short ball .. step in and hit the ball harder..You can get that type of insight from any Ncaa college player. imo. but its your wish and I am quite sure Britbox can make it happen for you if possible:blush: