Federer Filling Boring No. 1 Niche Vacated by Sampras

[sseemiller]

I didn't write the article; I'm just posting it, figuring it would get a discussion going. It raises some great points.

It's by Richard Vach at http://www.tennis-x.com. Which is a site all serious tennis fans should visit on a regular basis, IMHO. (And I don't know Richard or anyone else at that site.)

Here's the article:

Sitting through a Roger Federer post-match press conference, there are times you want to shake him to see if he has a pulse -- either that, or you marvel at the thoughtful insight and wit levied by the new ruler of men's tennis. Attending to the various pressures of the No. 1 ranking on his own terms, Club Fed's cool demeanor reminds one of another laid-back former No. 1.

"I think I'm living a very exciting life right now," Federer says.

While American serving machine Andy Roddick speaks of his appearance on Saturday Night Live, dating singer/actress Mandy Moore, and parachuting out of airplanes with coach Brad Gilbert, the Swiss tells of quiet dinners with his girlfriend and checking in on his cow, Juliette, a gift from the ATP Gstaad event last year upon winning the title. Only ardent American tennis fans would recognize Federer on the street, which is fine by the Swiss.

"What is my goal in my life?" Federer said. "It's not to be walking down New York City and everybody starts screaming. It's not my goal in life. What I'm doing is enjoying tennis. And if, you know, people enjoy watching me, you know, that is for me more important than anything else. I have very many people coming up to me, you know, where I'm staying around this week, which come to me and say, 'I love your game. My son admires you. You're his favorite player.' These are the things I enjoy hearing.

"What it takes to be a superstar in the States, I don't know what it takes because I'm not from here. Only different people could help me to do that." Hello, ATP media machine?

The situation is similar to another former No. 1 who preferred to let his racquet do the talking, and thought that the artistry of winning titles was plenty enough to give back to fans and the game. Federer's view echoes that of the man he is supposed to "replace," with fans pegging the all-court Swiss as the "next Pete Sampras."

"But I don't want to be the next Pete Sampras, I want to be Roger Federer," says the Swiss.

Federer's popularity in his home country is immense, and he has been referred to as the "Michael Jordan of Switzerland" on more than one occasion. Even more quiet and reserved when he first emerged on tour in the late 1990's, Club Fed has slowly loosened up, and while appearing reserved to fans, he has become one of the more popular and likable players in the locker room.

"He's a fun guy," said American Mardy Fish, who Federer pasted 6-4, 6-1 in the early rounds at Indian Wells. "You know, he never seems like he's down. He's a very approachable guy, that's for sure. He likes to joke around. He's always laughing and stuff. Yeah, he's very easy to joke around with."

And while the No. 1 mantle, gained this past January, has forced him even further into the spotlight, it remains to be seen whether the private Swiss will take an overtly pro-active role in furthering the game, or like Sampras, keep the public at arm's length and just opt to watch some Lakers game at home on TV.

"I want to enjoy this moment while I'm No. 1 as much as I can, you know, meet a lot of people, you know, experience, take it with me for also after tennis," Federer says. "This is for me really what I've been working for hard. And obviously now that I've, you know, won Slams and become No. 1 in the world, it's trying to stay where I am and obviously reach the same emotions like I did in Wimbledon."

Those emotions involved breaking down with tears of joy during the Wimbledon trophy presentation, endearing him to fans worldwide who had been waiting for the Swiss to get "over the hump," to win that first slam and become the confident player behind the raw talent. Federer then went on to win the year-ending Masters Cup and finish the year at No. 2, just points behind year-end No. 1 Andy Roddick.

"I'm definitely a guy who is rather calm on the outside on the tennis court, but very emotional inside," Federer said. "I showed everything that was going on inside of myself at the presentation of the trophy in Wimbledon...You know, I'm happy when I make a good shot. But I always have my moments of disappointment when I miss. But for me I'm at a point where I don't need to show this. I need to keep my emotions under control. I have the feeling if I show too much, you know, it might hurt me for the next match. The emotion's left. I want to keep everything till the end. This is just the way I feel right now. It makes me feel good. I like the way I behave, myself. I think that is the most important."

After claiming the top shelf spot during the first month of 2004, Fed has had to deal with a new level of popularity, if not in the U.S., then globally.

"The media side -- before I thought I was already doing a lot, but that was mostly in Switzerland," Federer said. "Now the whole international press is also chasing me. That's just things you're not used to before. Maybe not speaking in the interviews in your proper language also maybe makes it a little bit difficult for me sometimes. Everywhere I go, people recognize me more often now. That sometimes is tough."

Even before Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open and catapulted to No. 1, American fans and the tennis media had dubbed him "the future of American tennis," a weighty proposition at best, and a whole hell of a lot of pressure at worst. Roddick has since slumped to No. 3 on the ATP Rankings. Juan Carlos Ferrero, who with Roddick and Federer comprised the "Three Kings" in their race for the 2003 year-end No. 1 ranking, has also since fallen by the wayside, besieged by injuries and poor play after a long 2003 season took its toll.

Now Federer, after already winning at the Australian Open and Dubai this year, is looking to put his foot down and put even more distance between himself and the No. 1 contenders, threatening to make 2004 a one-man race. The Swiss' on-court game has blossomed, but it remains to be seen if his off-court persona will be embraced by Americans as it has in Europe. Tennis in the U.S. can use all the help it can get in the way of personalities, and Federer is the first to plead his own case.

"I'm a funny guy, I'm outgoing, you can have a lot of fun with me," Federer said. "I can hang out."

So here you have a No. 1 player who is misunderstood, but rarin' to go. Where are the Jay Leno and David Letterman appearances, the magazine photo spreads, the candy bars named after the Swiss? Don't they make chocolate there or something? Time for the ATP to take a break from handing out nandrolone and get Federer in a Taco Bell commercial -- there's a new tennis personality to be marketed, a guy who can hang out.

Richard Vach is a senior writer for Tennis-X.com.

[eric draven]

It's unfortunate that only true tennis fans really appreciate the emergence of his amazing talent. Maybe the American media will prove me wrong this time but I can count on one hand the number of television commercials I remember Sampras being in for Nike, Dannon, Rado (or was it Movado?) watches, and his Pizza Hut commercial with Johnny Mac. If there were others there weren't a whole lot of them. There is no denying the talent of Roddick but are we so centrist that American marketing just can't embrace a foreign sports star with such positive characterisitics? We need to make such positive and talented people that are a part of our sport more recognizable to the casual fan. It's the job of the ATP, ITF, and USTA to make these guys more appealing in their marketing of them to the public and sponsors that can get them the recognition they deserve.

[bfonz7]

I think it will be very soon, within the year, that America warms up to Federer when he wins Wimlbedon and the US Open. He's got the game, hes got the grace, he has the personality, but if America is looking for another Roddick in Federer then they are terriblly wrong. Im a long time Roddick fan, but Federer is quickly climbing my respectability list. fast.

[Phil]

America will never warm-up to the Fed, through no fault of his own. Americans, and American advertising agencies aren't interested at all in any of the following:

-People who speak English with a foreign accent (the exception being clowns or larger than life "characters" like Ah-nald)

-People who don't have an arrest record for drugs, wife beating, DWI, bar brawls, club hopping, etc.

-People who don't dress, talk or act like a**-clowns, or act very cocky, rude and overly self-assured (and don't forget the tatoos)

-People who don't have torrid affairs (with members of the OPPOSITE sex-preferably bombshells)

-People who aren't extremely good looking (i.e. people who DON'T look like most Americans-or anybody for that matter)

There are others that I probably missed.

Hence, the solid citizen Roger-the quintessential "Grey Man", a guy with class who doesn't "diss" his opponents or jump out of airplanes (and talk about it) is doomed to the dustbin of American marketing pariahs. He's not an attention who*e-he just PLAYS.

This is not a criticism of Agassi or Roddick or any of the media darlings who pass most of the tests above-it's just the American way. Federer is just going to have to make due with incredible talent and the potential to be the GOAT, if he maintains his wits and motivation and stays healthy. Personally, I think that's enough.

Fortunately for him, he IS NOT American, which assures him the MASSIVE recognition he deserves (and probably more than he cares to put up with) in his home country. If Pete Sampras had not been an American, he would have long ago been annointed a demigod in whatever country he was from.

[Phil]

Just so you know, the filter caught the word "co-ky" and turned it into "peepee"; LOL.

[jjames]

maybe federer needs a sexual assault charge.

[10s]

Originally Posted by Phil

Just so you know, the filter caught the word "co-ky" and turned it into "peepee"; LOL.

oh, hee hee, that was funny

[Hawaii 5.0]

Not to belittle Andy in any way, but Roddick is the future of American tennis and Roger Federer is the future of TENNIS itself.He will achieve and leave a legacy with or without American approval.Whether we give him celebrity status or take him in as our own he can only be who he is and he's only one man.I don't feel sorry for Roger(in fact I'm a huge fan), but I feel sorry for the ignorant tennis fans who refuse to accept and respect for his image or non-marketability.We are humans first and we play tennis and are fans of tennis and good tennis play and many of us live in the US,and the order should never be changed.

[jings]

Give the guy a break. First off he's the biggest waste of talent that the tennis world has ever seen, flakey, all washed up and no head for the big occaision. Now 9 months later after lifting Wimbledon, TM Cup and Australian Open, beating all previous bogeymen on court, becoming number one by Woods like margin and showing an all court mastery of the game that I struggle to draw any comparison with in my tennis vocabulary, he's supposed to be all over magazines, TV shows, adverts and in court for some misdemeanour. For a start off his on court manner doesn't get close to Sampras - he smiles, he has a joke, he pumps his fist, he speaks out loud more than once a match ... he's 21 or whatever for "Pete's" sake.

This sort of article is poor journalism, couched in the guise of the ATP must do something. It's just a direct go at Federer, simple as. I for one admire his on court grace, humour and sportsmanship. You can't tell if he's just lost his serve or broken an opponent. His talent for the game speaks for itself on these boards I trust.

[sliceroni]

That Matress Mac incident speaks for itself. Totally ignorant. Roger's personality is laid back, approuchable and so easy going that I don't think he'll care what tennis fans (American only) will think of him. On the other side of the globe he's already an icon. An interview after the match on ESPN last week from P-smack "Roger, what do you have to do to get more known in the States?" Federer laughing and smiling " you know, maybe Letterman or Leno" Federer WILL leave behind a legacy while his peers Roddick will be known as one slam (maybe 2) slam wonders. Can't wait to see how Fedex does on clay. We have yet to see Federer dip into his A-plus game this year.

[SonicSpeed]

nice article...biased, but hey

[boris becker 1]

he is a good guy. very good with the fans veryy approachable. He doesent bad mouth anyone else. and isnt full of himself.

He says Becker was his idol and has somewhat of the same game and personality

[Camilio Pascual]

What Phil wrote is insightful and true. The media wants a circus that highlights the freakshow. Which means that's what the PEEPUL want, too. I'm a big Roddick (but not PMac) fan and like Ferrero a lot, too. I've chosen to root against Roger Federer, but not because I dislike him in any way. He is the great and respectable opponent against whom the accomplishments of my favourite players can be measured. I want him to beat my guys sometimes and become a Hall of Famer along with my guys. Roger's tennis is very interesting and effective.

[pound cat]

Thanks Phil...well put. All part of the dumming down phenomenon. And it's beginning to creep North although slowly, because many Canadian aspirants to fame & fortune who fit your criteria go the the US as soon as possible. Then we get to watch them on American TV stations. (Hi Alex, sports for $200)

[Ballmachine]

Although, most of what has been said here is true, it is also very sad to me. Why isn't it enough to let your racquet do the talking? Roger isn't a movie star, he isn't a rock star, he's not a late night tv talent. He is a tennis player. A great tennis player with the potential to do things in the game that have never been done before. Why isn't that enough? I would prefer he stays relatively unknown in the states, if he just keeps doing what he is doing. I know that I am in the minority here, but I love tennis, it's that simple. I don't care what country or what language a person comes from. I speak and understand the universal language of serves, volleys, forehands, and backhands.

Marketing Roger and putting him on tv could potentially make him more recognizable and put more fans in the seat, and possibly entice more viewers to turn on ESPN, but they still won't be tennis fans. They still won't be speaking my language. They won't know what they are watching. They will just be watching because everybody else is. I find that whole scene to be very, very sad.

[Cypo]

There's a great quote from Lendl about Pete Sampras to the effect of "why is he criticized for being a decent person and a great tennis player"

Pound Cat - is that natural selection?

Boris - I realise that Boris is your hero, but there's nothing similar about BB and Federer - BB was a lumbering bear on the court (with a weebbles wobble but they don't fall down serve - still love that .)

[bfonz7]

Well put BallMachine, tennis is a universal language that only tennis players/fans understand

[tomahawk]

I think the only way Roger Federer will be remembered by everyone is when he leaves the game. Just like Sampras, now everyone in the tennis game recognizes how great he really was. Because Federer is like Sampras (isn't it funny that Federer is very emotional inside, sounds like Pete) I have a feeling he'll be treated the same way. The only difference is that Pete was from the US and Fed is from Switzerland. So off the bat he won't be getting much plug from the US. Sad though, I wish people in the US would warm up to him.

[yee]

Just thought maybe this will indicate something? Federer just won the ATP fans' favourite 2003.

I honestly think it's only some idiotic and lazy media trying to stir up the controversy. Roger is nothing like Pete, not his game neither his personality. These US media and reporters should start recognizing that and stop labelling any foreign players who come along that don't swear, shout or smash racquets as boring. For gods sake, I don't think they had even done any research or get any personal interview with Roger to come up with stupid conclusion.

[chad shaver]

Phil,

Best post you've ever made. "Pee pee" LOL. So that's what happens when you type cocky?