Best Players To Watch Live

callitout · 08-07-2004, 01:57 PM

I know Federer, Agassi, Sampras...I'm not talking about the best players, but the guys who are most interesting to see in person up close. My favorite is:
Arazi--for the first 2 sets of any match until he gets overpowered or fatigued his movement and fluid strokes are unbelievable. A couple of superficial things he does which make him fun to watch:
He catches the ball on his raquet with a grace and ease that are unbelievable. He throws his raquet 20 feet in the air rotating at 5000RPM and catches it without even looking at it.

Feña14 · 08-07-2004, 02:11 PM

Safin is also good to watch, you never know if he will play amazing and win, or play bad and break several rackets and do mad things.

Like in Monte-Carlo where he asked to punch the umpire!!! he is the best to watch live for entertainment purposes imo.

-Liam

PureCarlosMoyaDrive · 08-07-2004, 02:54 PM

One time I watched Robredo play Corretja live. It was awesome because of how hard they hit the ball with so much spin, the strategy they were using, and how fast they were. Robredo even popped up a lob left handed, and he's got a 1-hander. I think the most amazing to watch live are the guys who hit with huge spin because it's so amazing to see how much that ball can kick, and how it's possible for the other guy to handle it. Lopez was cool to watch a little because of the insane shots he went for.

callitout · 08-07-2004, 03:30 PM

Agree about Robedro. 2 or 3 yrs ago saw him beat JC Ferrero on grandstand at US Open in 5...unbelievable effort from both guys...youre right Robredo is a great player to watch live.

nyu · 08-07-2004, 03:48 PM

A few of my favorites are Clement(you have to see him live to understand just how freakishly fast he is) and Olivier Rochus(watching him return kickers that nearly bounce over his head is a treat, and it's amazing how much racquet head speed a guy his size can muster.) Another one of the players i've seen live that I enjoyed watching was Guga. He plays tennis like the Brazilian National team plays futbol; with flamboyance and style.

VictorS. · 08-07-2004, 06:52 PM

JC Ferrero has struggled this year. But when he's playing at his best...he's a great player to watch. Excellent groundstrokes....deceptively strong serve...one of the best movers in the game.

I also like watching Nicholas Escude of France. He's gotta be one of the quickest players on tour. While he's never really had great results at slams...he's really been clutch in the davis cup for france.

08-07-2004, 06:59 PM

Roddick- bec. u can really see the actual speed of his serve and fh
Federer- fluidity of his strokes (pleasure to watch no matter live /tv)
Safin- His powerful strokes

PureCarlosMoyaDrive · 08-07-2004, 07:15 PM

Victor, I definately believe that he would be awesome to watch live. When I went to IW, he was the main guy I wanted to see play (besides Moya of course), but he was sick or whatever. Coria would be sick to watch too.

bigserving · 08-07-2004, 07:19 PM

El Anouye? When he is healthy, he truly plays an all-court game and has all the shots. No real weaknesses, but not real strengths either.

bcaz · 08-07-2004, 10:06 PM

The most entertaining players I've seen live include: Srichiphan ... Mauresmo ... Rios ... Ferrero ... Federer ... Roccick ... El Ayneoui ... Nadal ... Ivanesevic ... Kirilenko.

Feña14 · 08-08-2004, 03:53 AM

I was going to say Ferrero but I thought that would be obvious

I have seen him 6 times and you still are amazed by the spin off the forehand and the power that he can get of a 2 handed Backhand.

-Liam

D. Nalbandian · 08-08-2004, 06:14 AM

Gonzalez, Nadal, Ferrero, Federer,Moya

Gonzalez_Forehand · 08-09-2004, 10:58 AM

Fernando Gonzáles, but then I would say that. The FH is terrifying! There's usually some drama as well with him, he'll play an amazing set and then fall off, and then get back on again, etc.
Either way, he'll never back down when it comes to going for his shots.

Saw Coria at Roland Garros SF vs Henman and Final vs Gaudio, and (cramps aside) he was phenomenal - first 2 sets in the final were almost flawless tennis.

Gaudio's backhand is some shot, too. I was court-side (only feet away from him) for his morning practice on Roland Garros final day, and he was practicing winners, and absolutely ripping them - my jaw was on the floor. I remain confounded as to how the pros are so damn good.

guernica1 · 08-10-2004, 05:02 PM

I remember Gonzo vs. Moya in Miami a couple years ago... rains delayed all the matches and that was the last match of the night. Spanish and mostly Chileans packed the stadium huge flags everywhere, Gonzo was whacking the ball so hard people were saying "God" or "holy s***" every other rally.

A few other guys I've enjoyed watching, even though they really haven't done as well as they are capable on the tour:

1. Arazi -- ditto callitout's post.

2. Fernando Vicente -- incredible slice backhand, not really offensive but he is able to feather the ball so smoothly back its hard to tee off on it.

3. Oli and Christophe Rochus -- really some of the most talented guys on the tour for being able to hang with the big boys.

4. Karol Kucera -- saw him back in his prime years. Glides all over the court, doesn't look like he's trying when he hits the ball.

5. Woodforde and Woodbridge hitting volleys to each other!

Andy Zarzuela · 08-10-2004, 05:11 PM

I like watching Venus playing. When she's in trouble she goes for broke. Venus wins like 95% of 3 set matches she plays. If she loses the first, and takes the 2nd, than her chances are like sky high to win the third. Plus, when Venus is on, she is a whole class better than the others on the WTA, I don't think Serena could touch her. If she was healthy she would've won Wimbledon last year easily over Serena. She has having to flail serves in, but she still took the first set...
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degreefanlindi · 08-11-2004, 02:56 PM

I haven't seen him play in person, but one of the more animated players to me is Mario Ancic.

08-13-2004, 08:54 AM

Andy Roddick of course. He DA MAN

Brettolius · 08-13-2004, 12:08 PM

are you suppsed to be the dude from the red stripe commercials? mon? pass the dutchie ....

AndyC · 08-13-2004, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoddickIzDaBomb

Andy Roddick of course. He DA MAN

no offence but if u think Roddick is the most fun to watch.. u really should get out more..

okie okie now I'll stop feeding the troll

mlee2 · 08-13-2004, 07:33 PM

All of the pros are wonderful live.

I find the 'baseline bashers' the best contrary to TW consensus.

To hear Roddick/Philipoussis/Gonzalez hit their strokes is awe-inspiring. Similar to a gunshot sound.

08-07-2004, 01:57 PM	#1
callitout Professional Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,303	Best Players To Watch Live I know Federer, Agassi, Sampras...I'm not talking about the best players, but the guys who are most interesting to see in person up close. My favorite is: Arazi--for the first 2 sets of any match until he gets overpowered or fatigued his movement and fluid strokes are unbelievable. A couple of superficial things he does which make him fun to watch: He catches the ball on his raquet with a grace and ease that are unbelievable. He throws his raquet 20 feet in the air rotating at 5000RPM and catches it without even looking at it.

08-10-2004, 05:11 PM	#15
Andy Zarzuela Professional Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,043	I like watching Venus playing. When she's in trouble she goes for broke. Venus wins like 95% of 3 set matches she plays. If she loses the first, and takes the 2nd, than her chances are like sky high to win the third. Plus, when Venus is on, she is a whole class better than the others on the WTA, I don't think Serena could touch her. If she was healthy she would've won Wimbledon last year easily over Serena. She has having to flail serves in, but she still took the first set... ________ Ipad Cases Last edited by Andy Zarzuela : 04-16-2011 at 12:30 AM.

08-11-2004, 02:56 PM	#16
degreefanlindi Rookie Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 268	players I haven't seen him play in person, but one of the more animated players to me is Mario Ancic.

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08-13-2004, 08:54 AM	#17
RoddickIzDaBomb Guest Posts: n/a	Andy Roddick of course. He DA MAN