Reader Says Lendl Deserved Better

I was incensed at Thomas Bonk’s write-up of Ivan Lendl’s career. Here we have the retirement of one of the 10 greats of the game and all he can do is knock the man.

A failure to win Wimbledon hardly makes Lendl’s a flawed career, or tragic, as Jack Kramer would have it. Lendl won eight Grand Slam events in seven years: Can (Jimmy) Connors, (John) McEnroe or Kramer make that claim?

Bonk describes Lendl as a dour man with a “grating personality that drew few fans his way.” I disagree. Lendl always conducted himself with dignity on the court, eschewing the profanity and histrionics that characterize so many latter-day stars, and I and many other fans admired Lendl for his professionalism. Of course, athletes that don’t grandstand don’t make good copy. Maybe that accounts for Bonk’s hostility?

NICHOLAS SCHROEDER, Redondo Beach