Tim Kramer

Dayton, OH, born & raised. Huge sports fan. 30+ yrs of NCAA Big Ten basketball knowledge. Avid follower of ATP tennis since the mid-‘90s.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@bejukr @josemorgado @TennisHalloFame Each of Muster’s 8 Masters final wins was best of 5 sets. Surface breakdown: 6 clay, 1 outdoor hard, 1 indoor carpet. Muster also reached the Miami final in 1989 but defaulted after the accident. His overall resume with a slam, #1 ranking, clay dominance, etc. deserves induction.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@losboysz @ThatGuyRocked Hulls separated his right shoulder and partially tore his right pectoral muscle in the game prior against Temple. Regardless, IU’s guards were severely outsized by Syracuse’s.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@ShashiJairam @MySportsUpdate I don’t think many will be “baffled” by this. The entire fright about transgender people has been created by MAGA and conservative “sources.”

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt @firesciphil Oh, so now we’re onto this game. Demean and disparage. I barely use the app. When I do, it’ll be for something I’m interested in — mainly sports-related. I told you my cause. Unfortunate that you had to treat a huge tennis fan this way. Sad.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@firesciphil @OpenCourt I’ve been very professional & courteous. I’m just a fan, but I don’t deserve to be demeaned. The longer this goes, the more puzzled I am by certain remarks. I’m not citing opinions. I’m citing real events, quotes, & overarching views from the period. Social media is so bad.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt @firesciphil The blurring of lines between fact & opinion is rampant today. I’m referring to very real events, comments & feelings of the period. If you’re unaware of the controversy surrounding Muster, Rios or Kafelnikov’s ascension to #1, please read up. The ‘96 US Open seeding debacle?

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt @firesciphil On the contrary, biases very clearly existed in the ‘90s, and they persist today. This is not a matter of opinion. The string of players who reached #1 post Sampras & Agassi were all maligned in some manner. The tour was very American-centric. And I’m an American saying this.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt @firesciphil I certainly did not aim to insult. I’ve remained professional throughout. I understand what you mean & can tell you do take a thorough approach. I tend to speak up for those who are perhaps misunderstood/overlooked &/or victims of bias/hypocrisy. Tennis has these cases. Thanks.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt @firesciphil You mentioned Newport being a historic grass club & Wimbledon being the most prestigious slam as factors that further weigh against Muster’s Wimby disdain/lack of wins. I thought it was pretty verbatim, but I realize this forum is rather limiting.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@firesciphil @OpenCourt I remember Dennis Martinez fairly well. He threw a big 12-6 curve & also liked to have a big chaw of tobacco in his cheek haha.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt @firesciphil I appreciate the discussion & value your professional input. If we talk on court character, guys like Safin, Ivanisevic & Kafelnikov have to be questioned haha (I like all 3 btw). But they all got in. Ftr, I have Kafelnikov above Muster but the other two prob not.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt @firesciphil No, I’m saying that the process should be more involved & attempt to evaluate players’ entire bodies of work. Instead, as you’ve acknowledged, there is a lean towards the prestige of Wimbledon (Newport grass connection) counting more. Other subjective factors also count heavily.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt @firesciphil It’s not an “if only” to display facts & figures that are on par or > than peers already inducted. Recognizing context & the entire body of work are important. I just wish the process adhered more to those principles. X isn’t the best platform for holding such a detailed talk.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@firesciphil @OpenCourt Of course these decisions involve hair splitting & some subjectivity. It’s unfortunate that Muster’s adoption of the prevailing attitude of the time (for those who prioritized clay) & his unique limitations because of the car accident work against him so strongly. Not fair IMO.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt Really tough. Clearly on talent, he’s in. But it can’t just be about talent. Unfortunately, injuries severely held him back. Still, I feel like Del Potro probably did enough on the big stages. People view him as maybe the toughest challenger of Fed, Rafa, Novak & Murray.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt That’s extremely tricky. I would tend to actually put both Ferrero and Moya over Bruguera because each’s overall body of work is stronger. And I know many will say but Sergi won two RGs. Yes, but almost everywhere else, Ferrero & Moya were better.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt It should be a minor factor in the grand scheme because yes, it was the prevailing mindset of the period. Muster should be dinged some, but not because Newport features a grass club. Anyway, I can talk ‘90s tennis forever. Appreciate your input. Overall, Muster is worthy.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt 600+ match wins, 44 titles, inc 8 Masters, 1 slam, #1 ranking, 35 match win streak since eclipsed only by Djokovic & Federer, highest finals winning % ever, stellar Davis Cup record. Muster is somewhere in that 2nd tier of ‘90s guys, very much on par with players already inducted

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt I didn’t initiate that phase of the conversation. You did.

[Tim Kramer @TimKram1983]

@OpenCourt Confirmed what notion? All I’m saying is that tour was different then. Mindsets were different. That’s all. This conversation went way off for some reason. You’ve sent so many messages that it’s difficult to respond.