Isnt tennis suffering an image crisis due to the current No 1s ?

[tennisaddict]

I am referring to the current ATP and WTA No 1's - Novak and Azarenka.

Their behavior on and off court does not exemplify the classy, elegant sport of tennis.

I am talking about things like

- Novak mimicking Serena on court (tucking towels inside his apparel)

- Azarenka Shrieking

- Novak ripping his shirt after wins

- Azarenka walking into the court like a hippie girl with an ipod listening to rap songs tuning out the crowd and not acknowledging the fans when she comes in

- Azarenka MTO

- Novak and Azarenka have no clues or perspective about past tennis greats, icons or records ( interview question about Gussie Moran is one example)

I think this is the reason why players like Federer, Nadal, Kim Clijsters are loved by fans and when they are at the top, the sport receives a huge image boost because they carry themselves so well on and off the court.

I think Murray to some extent will help the ATP as he matures , but i think WTA is in for big trouble unless Radwanska picks up.

What do you think ?

[El Diablo]

The image crisis was what you see as the good old days, when tennis was a sedate country club sport. The peak growth in tennis was when bad boys like Connors, McEnroe and Nastase were active. People like antics, and the fact that Djokovic has a sense of humor and some enthusiasm is not what I would call an image crisis but rather an image change. And a healthy one. Athletes need not behave like choir boys. The most successful sports leagues in recent decades have been the NFL and NBA. Have you noticed that many of the players in those leagues don't behave like choir boys?

[dudeski]

Could be worse. Imagine if Nadal was number one.

[tennisaddict]

Originally Posted by El Diablo

The image crisis was what you see as the good old days, when tennis was a sedate country club sport. The peak growth in tennis was when bad boys like Connors, McEnroe and Nastase were active. People like antics, and the fact that Djokovic has a sense of humor and some enthusiasm is not what I would call an image crisis but rather an image change. And a healthy one. Athletes need not behave like choir boys. The most successful sports leagues in recent decades have been the NFL and NBA. Have you noticed that many of the players in those leagues don't behave like choir boys?

But tennis has always had a nice image and never been like NFL and NBA "rugged" image.

I think Borg exemplified the class, Edberg and Sampras carried it forward and Federer and Nadal stretched it a lot. But I am unsure what is going to happen now.

[beernutz]

I think your trolling needs work. Or else you need to learn a lot more about the history of the classy, elegant sport of tennis.

[librarysteg]

I think audiences these days are into bigger than life personalities. People don't want to be bored. I loved Edberg and his class, and I also love Djokovic and his antics.

[90's Clay]

Is that really any different then Fed whining like a little baby out there on the court when things aren't going his way and rarely giving the opponent credit for playing a great match.

Sure some of these players are a little over the top with their antics like Nole but its entertaining

[jm1980]

Why do some people have a problem with Novak ripping his shirt off?

[Jeffrey573639]

I don't think it's necessarily a problem but I do think the number one ranking isn't as significant as it once was. IMO the number one player should always be the most important player on tour- i.e. the axis on which the tour runs. But because we have Rog and when Rafa comes back Djoko doesn't get the attention befitting the number 1. I think Rafa and especially Fed's years at number 1 was the ideal situation in that when people thought of tennis, they thought of the number 1 player- Rafa/Roger. Djoko isn't as charismatic as Fedal and in a way will never ever really escape from their shadow. But it's not necessarily a bad thing either

[90's Clay]

Let's not start with a who's more well behaved. Tennis isn't the aristocratic grace sport some ****s still think it is.

Federer:

swore at an umpire in the 09 USO final
has trash talked Murray and Djokovic at times with a bit of mind games
made excuses for defeats against Nadal in 2008 and Wimbledon 2010 and to countless other guys hes lost to over the years (How often does Fed lose and there isn't some excuse already planted in his brain?)

[Tony48]

Originally Posted by tennisaddict

I think this is the reason why players like Federer, Nadal, Kim Clijsters are loved by fans and when they are at the top, the sport receives a huge image boost because they carry themselves so well on and off the court.

[norbac]

I, for one, despise the nice, country club feel that the game still has at times. I blame Roger Federer and Tatsuma Ito.

[KineticChain]

get off your high horse and stop looking down your nose at others. as far as i'm concerned.. anything that can separate tennis from the classy, elegant, unathletic, gentlemen's game stereotype is a good thing for tennis' popularity.

[Mike Sams]

Originally Posted by Tony48

Oh my goodness!!!!! Federer threw an empty water bottle?!?!?!?!?!?

[Achilles82]

Originally Posted by jm1980

Why do some people have a problem with Novak ripping his shirt off?

Because they don't like Novak, and hate when he shows any emotion when he wins.

I think it's cool to be that excited.

[Tafmatch]

I think both are fine as #1's. They're obviously not as popular as Fed/Nadal or attract as much attention as Shara/Williams but they're certainly no 'disgrace'.

Tennis will likely get a boost in the media when Murray reaches the #1 ranking.

[Paul Murphy]

Azarenka is dreadful but Djok is wonderful for tennis - he's a fun guy, gracious, generous.

[Lovely_Bone]

Originally Posted by Mike Sams

Oh my goodness!!!!! Federer threw an empty water bottle?!?!?!?!?!?

2 Empty water bottles. That was two separate clips. My favorite part was the smashed racquet in the bottom though lol

[*Sparkle*]

Originally Posted by Mike Sams

Oh my goodness!!!!! Federer threw an empty water bottle?!?!?!?!?!?

LOL, reminds me of the Outnumbered Comic Relief sketch with Andy Murray and Ben's top tip for beating Fed.
http://youtu.be/G3ynYHHH9e0

As for the subject at hand. No, there is no image crisis for tennis. Some people who love Federer's style are having a personal crisis as they realise he's not going to be at the top for ever, and the people who are beating him have their own personalities and characteristics. Just as some people adore Fed's elite country club style, others find it a turn-off, so it's a good thing that the top players have different personalities and that it changes periodically.

[smoledman]

What about Fed throwing Andy a big F-bomb last night? Ugly Roger! He sure isn't taking this decline thing well.