Did Djokovic and Nadal help make tennis more respectable as an elite sport?

[geromino]

Djokovic and Nadal elevated my perception of tennis from a sport of effeminate ballet moves and dad bods to a sport of elite athleticism and mental and physical toughness. As a long-time fan of hardcore sports like MMA and boxing, Djokovic and Nadal have given me a newfound respect for tennis as an elite sport.

 

[metsman]

Yes it certainly did make tennis appeal more to the proletariat. A truly marvelous development.

 

[mtommer]

Perhaps. I suspect they may have made the sport, well if not more respectable, at least more popular, in certain regions. In the US I think it has been viewed as a top tier sport.

 

[Cortana]

They made tennis what it is today. You can‘t dominate the sport anymore if you try to copy Federers technique and development. It‘s much more physical and mental now.

Matches like the AO 2012 F, RG 2013 SF or Wimbledon 2018 SF. This is true tennis.

 

[forehand-slice]

Makes no sense. People respected tennis as a sport even more in the 70s and 80s. And Sampras was more of an obvious jock than either Nadal or Djokovich.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Yawn. Desperately trying to use masculinity to cut Federer out. What’s effeminate than that?

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Makes no sense either as Djokovic has the worst FWHR ratio of all three, least masculine face, and a narrow/lank build.

This thread is lame. When men are jealous of another man, masculinity is always used as a put down. Federer appearing tomorrow at Wimbledon must be so upsetting to provoke this type of thread.

 

[geromino]

This thread is lame. When men are jealous of another man, masculinity is always used as a put down. Federer appearing tomorrow at Wimbledon must be so upsetting to provoke this type of thread.

You see, my friend, I understand that greatness in tennis can be found in many players, including Federer. But my point is as follows. Boxing has Ali, MMA has GSP, Jones, and Khabib, and basketball has Jordan. Meanwhile, who did tennis have to offer as its greatest until 2019? A player who pranced around with a beer belly and repeatedly folded at the biggest moments against his biggest rivals. On the other hand, Djokovic and Nadal pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in terms of physicality and mental fortitude in tennis. They completely transformed tennis into a competition of the highest level of athleticism and mental toughness, and rightfully eclipsed Federer in both achievements and greatness.

As for Federer appearing tomorrow, I had no idea about it, but I am happy to see Federer's last remaining record celebrated in the nick of time before it too is surpassed in short order.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

You see, my friend, I understand that greatness in tennis can be found in many players, including Federer. But my point is as follows. Boxing has Ali, MMA has GSP, Jones, and Khabib, and basketball has Jordan. Meanwhile, who did tennis have to offer as its greatest until 2019? A player who pranced around with a beer belly and repeatedly folded at the biggest moments against his biggest rivals. On the other hand, Djokovic and Nadal pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in terms of physicality and mental fortitude in tennis. They completely transformed the aura of tennis to that of a top-tier mano-a-mano sport, and rightfully eclipsed Federer in both achievements and greatness.

As for Federer appearing tomorrow, I had no idea about it, but I am happy to see Federer's last remaining record celebrated in the nick of time before it too is surpassed in short order.

Ha! Ha! You noticed hence this bitter thread filled with delusion including Federer having a beer belly and prancing. Oh wait this is a parody thread making fun ******** and Nadal fans.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Djokovic and Nadal elevated my perception of tennis from a sport of effeminate ballet moves and dad bods to a sport of elite athleticism and mental and physical toughness. As a long-time fan of hardcore sports like MMA and boxing, Djokovic and Nadal have given me a newfound respect for tennis as an elite sport.

Their 2012 AO final is the single match which turned my perception of tennis from effeminate sport into a beastly man sport.

 

[Chanwan]

Their 2012 AO final is the single match which turned my perception of tennis from effeminate sport into a beastly man sport.

Two questions:

1. Why on earth would you, as the manly alpha beast, you surely must be, even tune in to watch what you deemed an effeminate sport?
2. Did you watch tennis before that match at all?? Their 2009 semi in Madrid could have done the trick for you 3 years earlier. So could Rafa-Coria Rome 2005. And a ton of other matches.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Two questions:

1. Why on earth would you, as the manly alpha beast, you surely must be, even tune in to watch what you deemed an effeminate sport?
2. Did you watch tennis before that match at all?? Their 2009 semi in Madrid could have done the trick for you 3 years earlier. So could Rafa-Coria Rome 2005. And a ton of other matches.

Nope. I watched only last set of Roddick Federer 2009 final before this. I used to see tennis as boring sport.

2012 AO changed it all. Watched the final hour of the match as well with all friends. The physical effort both these superhuman athletes showed that day immidietly turned me into a fan of the sport. Nole and Rafa are animals.

 

[Chanwan]

Nope. I watched only last set of Roddick Federer 2009 final before this. I used to see tennis as boring sport.

2012 AO changed it all. Watched the final hour of the match as well with all friends. The physical effort both these superhuman athletes showed that day immidietly turned me into a fan of the sport. Nole and Rafa are animals.

Fair enough. And yes they are

 

[ibbi]

No. I mean, maybe if you're not the sharpest tool in the shed, sure, but not actually.

 

[SonnyT]

When Borg was champ, he was renowned for being an elite athlete.

 

[HashDump]

Djokovic and Federer help make tennis more respectable. Nadal won so many slams in weakest clay era ever.