Are there really any "Federer Haters"?

Watching the game on sunday made me realize that there are really no Federer Haters in the true sense of the word. I myself am a Nadal Fan. I like his passion, style and just the way he thinks and works on his game on court

But watching the game on sunday made me realize that I am a bigger fan of Federer than I wish to admit. I think on some level, if you are a true tennis fan, you end up having some emotional investment in Federer. I say this because just in terms of talent, tennis purity, aesthetics and the sublime you have to be impressed with Federer. Last sunday for just these reasons it pained me watch him playing badly (not considering the eventual result, just his play).

In my opinion, We might all say that we dont like Federer or like some one else but when it really comes down to it we all want to see Federer play to his best ability and when he does there is nothing quite like it in any sport. Just genious!

what do you guys think? Do you think anyone comes close to federer in terms of the above qualities?

Sometimes things happen that we have no control over. Federer lost that match on Sunday to history. Djokovic had to equal Becker's record of 1994 and so Federer had to lose no matter what he did or didn't do. How often does Roger lose a game at 40-love? Especially serving for the set. And how often does one play low percentage tennis and hit the line every time like Djokovic did?
In the same way Federer is playing himself into history and we know he will win the Grand Slam. It's only a matter of time. He'll do it when he's ready. I think he'll do it next year.
I doubt there are people who really hate Federer. Only those who are new to tennis can resent his dominance because they don't understand it. But true tennis fans know we have not seen the like of Roger in the history of the game.
I have played and watched tennis for 46 years. I have never seen anything like him and I know nobody has.

Well then you haven't played or seen much in these 46 years!

Anyways, speak for yourself please. I've seen better. It's a certain Pete Sampras

Hope said:

I have played and watched tennis for 46 years. I have never seen anything like him and I know nobody has.

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I cherish every moment someone else wins other than Federer. Federer has made tennis boring and predictable so finally something to look forward to with Djokovic taking down king ego. It makes the US Open somewhat watchable as Nadal and Djokovic are gaining ground on Federer.

It is difficult to hate Federer and love the atp because the atp right now is Federer. Every slam is about Federer and his quest to become the greatest of all-time.

hard to hate federer, but also hard to like much either because he sortof shiny out all other player from the spot like besides nadal

People, when Federer starts losing more often and age starts catching up to him, fans are going to be coming out of the wood work for Federer. I heard the same thing happening when Federer lost the epic match with Safin a few years back, a Federer hater realized they actually really liked Federer after seeing him lose in such a great way.

It's easier to root for an underdog and a fading former great number 1 is the best type of underdog to root for. Federer isn't anywhere near that point, but when Federer retires, all you will be hearing about for the next 10 to 15 years is....yeah he's good.....but he's no Federer!

ksbh said:

Well then you haven't played or seen much in these 46 years!

Anyways, speak for yourself please. I've seen better. It's a certain Pete Sampras

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Yeah I have seen him too. LOL! But I have also seen Federer as well. Federer is better. Pete even said so as well. So come up with somebody better.

always_steffi said:

Watching the game on sunday made me realize that there are really no Federer Haters in the true sense of the word. I myself am a Nadal Fan. I like his passion, style and just the way he thinks and works on his game on court

But watching the game on sunday made me realize that I am a bigger fan of Federer than I wish to admit. I think on some level, if you are a true tennis fan, you end up having some emotional investment in Federer. I say this because just in terms of talent, tennis purity, aesthetics and the sublime you have to be impressed with Federer. Last sunday for just these reasons it pained me watch him playing badly (not considering the eventual result, just his play).

In my opinion, We might all say that we dont like Federer or like some one else but when it really comes down to it we all want to see Federer play to his best ability and when he does there is nothing quite like it in any sport. Just genious!

what do you guys think? Do you think anyone comes close to federer in terms of the above qualities?

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Very well said.

there are morons who think Federer is boring but thats about it.

I don't hate fed, and i'm a nadal/roddick fan.

Is it just me - that it just makes me happy to watch quality tennis irrespective of who is playing.

Setting aside results of games, in terms of pure tennis shot making and winning points in the most brilliant possible way, Federer does it better than anybody

I do not mind Federer losing, But i definitely want to see him play like the best he can. Because after all tennis (or sports in general) is not just about the result but the quality of the game on display. Otherwise all you need is the boxscore.

And when federer is on the quality of game is the best better than Sampras IMO

I've seen both of them play as well and Pete Sampras was better.

We can go around in circles all day or we can just agree to disagree. I prefer the latter.

tennispro11 said:

Yeah I have seen him too. LOL! But I have also seen Federer as well. Federer is better. Pete even said so as well. So come up with somebody better.

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I don't "hate" Roger or any of the players for that matter.I have
tremendous respect for Roger's play.However, I find a lot of his
comments to be arrogant.As a sports fan of many sports though, players
as dominant [Michael Jordan , Tiger to a lesser degree] seem to be
a bit arrogant,all that success and accolades make humility a forgotten
thing.However, when they have a real human moment it goes a long way
w/me. Jordan's performance when he was clearly ill, and Tiger's more
recent 1st win after the death of his father. My "Roger" moment came
in his on court interview after his Wimbledon win, his comments about
Rafa and palpable relief in a hard fought victory,dimmed my view of
his usual cringe worthy comments. He was speaking from the heart
then [imo] and it was lovely. He needs no advice from me, but I would
love more of the same.

ksbh said:

I've seen both of them play as well and Pete Sampras was better.

We can go around in circles all day or we can just agree to disagree. I prefer the latter.

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I've seen both play but Federer has done things i've never seen Sampras do, I think Federer is the better overall player and his records prove that!

Tennis_Goodness said:

I've seen both play but Federer has done things i've never seen Sampras do, I think Federer is the better overall player and his records prove that!

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Well said. But I guess I will agree to disagree with ksbh.

Tennis_Goodness said:

I've seen both play but Federer has done things i've never seen Sampras do, I think Federer is the better overall player and his records prove that!

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Well I've never seen Federer hit running forehand winners from 5 feet behind the baseline. His winners come mainly on the baseline or inside the baseline, which is why Agassi likes him - it's a percentage game which Agassi appreceiates more, Sampras was more explosive and hit winners when Agassi was not expecting which Agassi always detested.

I've yet to see Federer consistently slam dunk, hit those amazing forehand half volleys into the corners for winners, or hit second serve aces at 120 mph down the middle on both deuce and ad court.

So basically there are things Sampras did that Federer would struggle to do consistently. They are two different men. But what I always find interesting with Federer fans is that in their eyes there is no alternative to Federer - they just cannot see the strengths of other players - they only see what Federer can bring to the court. On a forum called Centre Court, there's this fanatical Swiss Guy who has that exact mentatlity and it definitely is reflected in other people who make cmments about Federer's genius on this and other message boards. I think that's where the arguments began and quite frankly continue (for good reason).

I've seen Federer play live 3 times at Wimbledon and Paris Bercy. What I would say and I mentioned this yesterday on another thread, I don't find Federer as interesting to watch now as I did in 2003 and 2004, he just doesn't go for it as much these days. His best recent performance was the Aussie semi against Roddick, Roddick brings out the best in him and he goes for his shots probably to teach Roddick a leson.

Just touching on Agassi, my opinion has always been that he doesn't really give Sampras his due because he really hasn't come to terms with how Sampras approached the game of Tennis. The high risk strategy is a foreign concept to Agassi who always believed in consistency, especially under Brad Gilbert and Darren Cahill. He always hated what potentially Sampras could do to him in a match when Sampras got hot. The match I have on youtube from the 1999 Cincinatti semifinal is a good example - Agassi fans were almost calling out in desperation because Sampras was toying with Agassi in the 2nd set.

I don't hate anyone, but sometimes I feel annoyed by Nadal's antics between the points. One thing I love about Nadal are those out-of-nowhere backhand bullets passing shots.

Sampras got me into tennis and IMHO Federer is his heir apparent.

lethalfang said:

I don't hate anyone, but sometimes I feel annoyed by Nadal's antics between the points. One thing I love about Nadal are those out-of-nowhere backhand bullets passing shots.

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I fall out of my chair every time he hits one of those...

FEDEXP said:

Sampras got me into tennis and IMHO Federer is his heir apparent.

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I disagree...as good a player as Samprass was. Roger is no heir apparent...he is a king in his own right.

I hate Federer

Stupid. Why would you hate someone ? Guy plays his tennis the best way he knows how and its pretty much the best way there is. Okay hes cool, rafa is passionate and nole is crowd pleaser but thats character, why would you hate that ? Want them all to be the same ? That would be boaring ..

I don't believe I'm replying to a troll....

Nadal_Freak said:

I cherish every moment someone else wins other than Federer. Federer has made tennis boring and predictable so finally something to look forward to with Djokovic taking down king ego. It makes the US Open somewhat watchable as Nadal and Djokovic are gaining ground on Federer.

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Say there was no Federer, no Roddick, Hewitt or Djokovic.

Would you, as a self-named 'Nadal Freak', be whining about Nadal making the game 'boring and predictable' if he'd won the last 10 or 12 slams straight?

Is that hypocrisy I smell?

OrangeOne said:

Say there was no Federer, no Roddick, Hewitt or Djokovic.

Would you, as a self-named 'Nadal Freak', be whining about Nadal making the game 'boring and predictable' if he'd won the last 10 or 12 slams straight?

Is that hypocrisy I smell?

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I think I do! LOL!

I think more and more people are hating on King Fed because of all the premature discussions of Greatest Of All Time nonsense that the media drums up to sell tickets and boost ratings. I, for one, have renewed my interest in tennis since Federer's dominance and brilliance took over the tour about 4 years ago. Federer has dominated men's tennis like none other over the past 3 years, but its funny how many have forgotten the greatness of Sampras so soon. Sampras was considered as the best of the Modern Era for, what, about 5 years?! And with Nadal's next hard-court victory he will probably be considered the GOAT (surplanting Federers 12 month consideration at GOAT).

Why is it that in every major sport, people are talking about current day GOATS (basketball- Lebron, Football- LaDainian Tomlinson, golf- Tiger, baseball- Barry Bonds, soccer- Beckham (at least in the USA)). The term GOAT is so overused that not only did someone on this forum ridiculously suggest that a fluke win by the Joker warranted GOAT consideration, BUT PEOPLE ACTUALLY TOOK IT SERIOUSLY!!!

TheModernEra said:

I think more and more people are hating on King Fed because of all the premature discussions of Greatest Of All Time nonsense that the media drums up to sell tickets and boost ratings. I, for one, have renewed my interest in tennis since Federer's dominance and brilliance took over the tour about 4 years ago. Federer has dominated men's tennis like none other over the past 3 years, but its funny how many have forgotten the greatness of Sampras so soon. Sampras was considered as the best of the Modern Era for, what, about 5 years?! And with Nadal's next hard-court victory he will probably be considered the GOAT (surplanting Federers 12 month consideration at GOAT).

Why is it that in every major sport, people are talking about current day GOATS (basketball- Lebron, Football- LaDainian Tomlinson, golf- Tiger, baseball- Barry Bonds, soccer- Beckham (at least in the USA)). The term GOAT is so overused that not only did someone on this forum ridiculously suggest that a fluke win by the Joker warranted GOAT consideration, BUT PEOPLE ACTUALLY TOOK IT SERIOUSLY!!!

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I think its because people like to think or hope that players they are watching now are goats and thats it. And you got to give a credit to Fed and Tiger and other figures in sport, they are not so far away but media and the talk does not help them at all. I think its just putting pressure to them, but thats just me. Id like to watch goat guys and I hope Ill have a chance, like I did with Shumacher on few occasions and Doctor Rossi in motorbikes etc. It may not be the truth but it close ..

I honestly find it hard to hate any player in tennis. I see people here spray so much venom about players they hardly even know, that it makes me wonder just how bitter and spiteful they can be.

Think about it. You hate a guy because he wins a bunch of tournaments? Because he's the player that stands in front of your favorite player? Because he makes a boatload of money? Because they throw tantrums on the court? Because they're of a certain nationality? That's pretty sad.

But, whatever...I digress. People have hated for much more shallow reasons that that, I suppose.

Challenger said:

I honestly find it hard to hate any player in tennis. I see people here spray so much venom about players they hardly even know, that it makes me wonder just how bitter and spiteful they can be.

Think about it. You hate a guy because he wins a bunch of tournaments? Because he's the player that stands in front of your favorite player? Because he makes a boatload of money? Because they throw tantrums on the court? Because they're of a certain nationality? That's pretty sad.

But, whatever...I digress. People have hated for much more shallow reasons that that, I suppose.

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100% agree with you. on the spot. Hate is a lousy way to spend your energy .. Love your favourites and cheer for them, respect others as they do respect each other. Speaking of this, was fed a bit annoyedwith nole after he lost ? He was not pleasent and down to earth as he usually is , thats IMO. Correct me if I am wrong, I can be since I love Nole so much .

Yes, i'm in.