Roger Federer's Tennis Will Save The World

Originally Posted by OddJack

I have no doubt Nadal-Djoker battle will give Rodge the oprning he needs to win a major.

I concur........

[TTMR]

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Roger Federer is a tennis player, not the messiah.

[boojay]

Will respond to some of you guys soon throughout the day as I'm at work right now.

Just wanted to say Jonathan Mossy who runs an AWESOME Roger Federer site @ perfect-tennis.co.uk featured my essay. Check the site out because it's pretty classy.

[Magnetite]

Tldr .......

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by DRII

Nice article!

Although I must say; this kind of adoration (there are other words I could use) has (at times) turned me off to Federer and some of his fans and made me appreciate Nadal all that much more! I don’t mean to be disrespectful, as I said it was a good article and I certainly understand the loyalty and great appreciation, but Federer’s fans (much like the man himself) comes off as a little dismissive. However, I admit that it takes extreme talent to allow for such flippancy (i.e. the presumptuousness of ‘purposeful preservation’). Its like the aura and distinct foot print of pedigree; a type of elegance and grace that only a certain type of talent seems to allow. Federer has this type of talent, however it doesn’t seemed earned (at least not to near the extent Nadal has earned his), it seems as though it was almost birthright. It’s the antithesis of the former that endears Nadal to my heart more so than Federer. Nadal clings to his intensity and his passion like a man who feels he’s always an underdog! Like the grasp he had at #1, eclipsing the best in world (perhaps the best in history), would always be a tenuous one; which has proven to be the case – so he fights and gives his absolute all, all of the time. While perhaps not poetry in motion, it most certainly is a living testament of tenacity!

You have a point about talent against those who've worked hard. However, I've seen a lot of talented people waste their talent, and i've seen talented people who looked down on others and behaved as though they themselves worked hardest while others didn't, or were strong while others were weak.

Roger has never looked down at others, and he's never pretended he was the hardest worker in the ATP. OTOH, he's admitted (although perhaps in jest) about being talented. I actually like that honesty about him.

In most or every sport you find some people who are talented, and don't work too hard, party, smoke and drink, do the wrong things and often win. There are a lot of others who are less talented but very disciplined and hard working. The talented winner when asked his "secret" attributes it to hard work or God or some such thing which is very disrespectful to others who he clearly knows work harder.

[boojay]

Originally Posted by DRII

Nice article!

Although I must say; this kind of adoration (there are other words I could use) has (at times) turned me off to Federer and some of his fans and made me appreciate Nadal all that much more! I don’t mean to be disrespectful, as I said it was a good article and I certainly understand the loyalty and great appreciation, but Federer’s fans (much like the man himself) comes off as a little dismissive. However, I admit that it takes extreme talent to allow for such flippancy (i.e. the presumptuousness of ‘purposeful preservation’). Its like the aura and distinct foot print of pedigree; a type of elegance and grace that only a certain type of talent seems to allow. Federer has this type of talent, however it doesn’t seemed earned (at least not to near the extent Nadal has earned his), it seems as though it was almost birthright. It’s the antithesis of the former that endears Nadal to my heart more so than Federer. Nadal clings to his intensity and his passion like a man who feels he’s always an underdog! Like the grasp he had at #1, eclipsing the best in world (perhaps the best in history), would always be a tenuous one; which has proven to be the case – so he fights and gives his absolute all, all of the time. While perhaps not poetry in motion, it most certainly is a living testament of tenacity!

From G+:
"Great response I received from an equally passionate Nadal fan on this writeup. His views are just as valid as my own and I respect his views because they are just as powerful even though they are in direct contrast to mine. It's funny how from his perspective, my points highlight his, yet from my own point-of-view, his illustrate mine. It's pretty amazing!"

From peRFect tennis:
It’s amazing how the qualities of one person, while a direct contrast to another person, can be construed as being praiseworthy by one group of people, yet conversely, just as much contemptible from the perspective of another group, and vice versa. That is the beauty of it all and I can respect either view without a second thought as long as it’s presented in a civilized fashion. That is really the only thing I would hope for.

[OTMPut]

Originally Posted by sureshs

I wear his Nike shoes, that is all. His racquet is too big for me (I use the PS 85).

good for you man. hope it is working out? is your tennis improving?

[Magnus]

So hitting two DFs in a row is now considered grinding down balls? Choking on BPs again is considered as such? This has nothing to do with Roger's elegance or preserving energy for the future. Its the lack of the ability to keep a focused mind when playing Nadal. Go figure.

[ultradr]

It's more like "This is tennis Roger Federer has brought upon us: power baseline.".

Only problem is that now everybody is playing that brand of tennis.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by OTMPut

good for you man. hope it is working out? is your tennis improving?

Yes. I am much better now compared to the days when I used to wear the heavy Rafa shoe.

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by sureshs

I wear his Nike shoes, that is all. His racquet is too big for me (I use the PS 85).

Originally Posted by OTMPut

good for you man. hope it is working out? is your tennis improving?

Suresh's ball has begun to cross the service line. By next year, it'll cross the net.

[boojay]

Originally Posted by Sentinel

You have a point about talent against those who've worked hard. However, I've seen a lot of talented people waste their talent, and i've seen talented people who looked down on others and behaved as though they themselves worked hardest while others didn't, or were strong while others were weak.

Roger has never looked down at others, and he's never pretended he was the hardest worker in the ATP. OTOH, he's admitted (although perhaps in jest) about being talented. I actually like that honesty about him.

In most or every sport you find some people who are talented, and don't work too hard, party, smoke and drink, do the wrong things and often win. There are a lot of others who are less talented but very disciplined and hard working. The talented winner when asked his "secret" attributes it to hard work or God or some such thing which is very disrespectful to others who he clearly knows work harder.

Agreed, Sent. The truth is there are plenty of talented individuals out there (in any field) that do not make full use of their gifts. While I can't provide hard evidence, there is nothing to prove that Roger doesn't work as hard or harder than Nadal. I've heard stories of his intense training regimen in Dubai and it's pretty ridiculous. He would line up player after player to hit with in the immense heat and as his hitting partners would wither, he would still be going strong. Just because Nadal exerts more effort during play than Federer doesn't mean their practices are not equally as grueling.

I also think Roger is very straightforward in his public speaking. As far as I know, he has never been caught in a lie. He is not a user of hyperbole nor does he understate. Virtually everything he says about himself or others is the truth, based on his own views. In a world where 'colorful' language is often used to create controversy or unjust praise, I find that very refreshing.

[zagor]

Originally Posted by ultradr

It's more like "This is tennis Roger Federer has brought upon us: power baseline.".

Only problem is that now everybody is playing that brand of tennis.

Now, now Fastdunn, a few points.

-Fed won his first title on carpet

-Fed played serve and volley on most of his 1st serve when he won 2003 Wimbledon.

-Power baseliners existed long before Fed.

-Fed spoke against surface homogenization and slowdown.

[monfed]

Originally Posted by TTMR

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Roger Federer is a tennis player, not the messiah.

I hope you think the same of Nadal.

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by Magnetite

Tldr .......

There's a difference between an article and a forum post. Were you expecting a one-line article.

[TTMR]

Originally Posted by monfed

I hope you think the same of Nadal.

Yes, because if you are not a Federer fan, you must be a Nadal fan, by definition. There are only two players in this dichotomous universe.

That being said, I've never seen large numbers of Nadal fans express such frightening idolatry and supernatural reverence as many (not most or all) Federer fans display for him. It is seriously disturbing how people think this and the better written, but perhaps more disquieting "Federer as a Religious Experience", are appropriate discussions about a tennis player. Tennis is a wonderful sport, but when it comes to matters of life, is rather unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Before you go on the attack, let me ask you: Do you think Roger Federer would want you to view him as some kind of prophetic or saintly figure? Or do you think he might prefer you see him as a very accomplished, respectable, well-mannered but ultimately ordinary sportsman? Think about it.

[ThoughtCrime]

Originally Posted by TTMR

Yes, because if you are not a Federer fan, you must be a Nadal fan, by definition. There are only two players in this dichotomous universe.

That being said, I've never seen large numbers of Nadal fans express such frightening idolatry and supernatural reverence as many (not most or all) Federer fans display for him. It is seriously disturbing how people think this and the better written, but perhaps more disquieting "Federer as a Religious Experience", are appropriate discussions about a tennis player. Tennis is a wonderful sport, but when it comes to matters of life, is rather unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Before you go on the attack, let me ask you: Do you think Roger Federer would want you to view him as some kind of prophetic or saintly figure? Or do you think he might prefer you see him as a very accomplished, respectable, well-mannered but ultimately ordinary sportsman? Think about it.

[monfed]

Originally Posted by TTMR

Yes, because if you are not a Federer fan, you must be a Nadal fan, by definition. There are only two players in this dichotomous universe.

That being said, I've never seen large numbers of Nadal fans express such frightening idolatry and supernatural reverence as many (not most or all) Federer fans display for him. It is seriously disturbing how people think this and the better written, but perhaps more disquieting "Federer as a Religious Experience", are appropriate discussions about a tennis player. Tennis is a wonderful sport, but when it comes to matters of life, is rather unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Before you go on the attack, let me ask you: Do you think Roger Federer would want you to view him as some kind of prophetic or saintly figure? Or do you think he might prefer you see him as a very accomplished, respectable, well-mannered but ultimately ordinary sportsman? Think about it.

[boojay]

"if saving himself now means in five years he'll still be competing for championships while the Nadals and Djokovics are forced into injury retirement, a loss here and there needs to be paid for that longevity. Rafael Nadal could very well be the fiercest competitor in sports, but he's paying his own price for that choice."

Ok, maybe I should've said 5 months.