Have you ever cheered for your favourite players biggest rival to win a match?

[40-15 still haunts me]

For example, my favourite player is Fed, so if it’s a Fed-Djokovic match, im obviously going to want Fed to win. However when Federer exits the tournament earlier than expected and there are still the other 2 big 3 members in the tournament I’ve strangely supported both at some stage. Always supported Nadal against Djokovic to stop him winning the elusive FO title ( thanks to Murray for letting the side down on that one who I thought would win after taking the first set) and I’ve always supported Novak at the AO to stop Nadal winning another title there.
The match I’ve only ever GENUINELY loved every second of was the Wimbledon 2018 SF where for the first time in my life I was desperate for Djokovic to win ( anything to stop Nadal winning Wimbledon again ) . It’s also the only DJOKODAL match I’ve watch from start to finish and had the same feelings as a tough Federer victory. It’s up there in the GOAT tier of matches for me although I know it caused a lot of upset with “roofgate”
The 2019 final throughly made me hate Djokovic again, for obvious reasons

 

[Deleted member 748597]

Yes, I'll be cheering for The Sinner tomorrow.

 

[Third Serve]

I cheer for the nadal quite often, a big example being the 2020 RG final.

 

[Technology Ruined Tennis]

Joker beating Muzz meant a wooden spoon for Mr. Nadal.

Easy call.

 

[JadeC]

Assuming both Nadal and Djokovic make it to the SF and assuming the winner of that match wins the tournament, who would you root for? Nadal to get 21 and break the slam record, or Djokovic to get a DCGS and be only one slam away from tying Fedal and with the next three slams being on a non-clay surface? Does your hate for Djokovic exceeds your desire to have your favorite hold on to the record (for at least a little longer)?

To answer your question, I don’t think I ever actively rooted for another member of the Big 3 against each other. Only time I rooted for Federer was the Indian Wells final in 2012 against Isner, because, well, it’s Isner.

 

[TheNachoMan]

It depends on the event. I root against Rafa at RG but I want him to do well at AO and Wimbledon

 

[TheAssassin]

Federer I rooted for plenty of times. Always been on his side in Fedal match ups, same for all his Slam finals other than the ones with Agassi, Safin, Novak and Delpo... There was always someone from every generation I liked more than him, but I prefer him over most of the field. If he ever found himself in a Slam final again however I'd want him to miss out because this whole race is so tight now.

As for Nadal I rooted for him in the 2017 French Open final as he was on a drought at Slams, and some of those losses Novak had to Stan were still a bit fresh. Other than that and Nadal's last two matches against Kyrgios though I can't recall any other examples. Edit: There was that one in BO3 against Rosol as well. When he starts struggling and has his farewell tour though I'll want him to have a decent sending off. As much as I see him as the villain in this Big 3 era, he is one of the best you could possibly have, with many memorable moments that Djokovic shared with him over the years.

 

[tonylg]

Of course.

I cheered for Rosewall and Newcombe when they weren't playing Laver.
I cheered for Lendl and Edberg when they weren't playing Becker (or an Aussie).
I found it hard to cheer for Agassi when not playing Sampras, not because I didn't like Andre .. simply because in the big matches I usually liked the other players (Becker/Goran/Krajicek/Rafter/Hewitt/Philippoussis) more.
For the last decade there have only been 3, 2 whom are boring baseline bots I find unlikeable. So unless it's Dognini down the end I like their opponent more. Even in that case, I wouldn't be cheering because I wouldn't be watching.

So the reason I don't cheer for Nadal or ******** isn't because I like Federer, it's because I don't like them.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Not one time.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Not one time.

I thought you were a low-key maestroian

 

[MichaelNadal]

I thought you were a low-key maestroian

I don't see him as Rafa's rival now though, im talking about Imhotep

 

[GhostOfNKDM]

I don't see him as Rafa's rival now though, im talking about Imhotep

 

[40-15 still haunts me]

Assuming both Nadal and Djokovic make it to the SF and assuming the winner of that match wins the tournament, who would you root for? Nadal to get 21 and break the slam record, or Djokovic to get a DCGS and be only one slam away from tying Fedal and with the next three slams being on a non-clay surface? Does your hate for Djokovic exceeds your desire to have your favorite hold on to the record (for at least a little longer)?

To answer your question, I don’t think I ever actively rooted for another member of the Big 3 against each other. Only time I rooted for Federer was the Indian Wells final in 2012 against Isner, because, well, it’s Isner.

I’d probably want Djokovic to win if they meet in the semis

 

[GhostOfNKDM]

I don't see him as Rafa's rival now though, im talking about Imhotep

It appears Novak is being dissed but do I smell a subtle Roger dig too?

 

[JadeC]

I’d probably want Djokovic to win if they meet in the semis

We’ll see in the match thread, lol.

It appears Novak is being dissed but do I smell a subtle Roger dig too?

He missed his head on the first tap, I don’t know why I find that amusing.

 

[Jason Swerve]

I cheer for the nadal quite often, a big example being the 2020 RG final.

At this stage, we just want him to keep the streak going unhampered until his retirement.

 

[Maverick13]

I am a beyond huge Fed fan; with that being said I’ll even admit I was kinda pulling for Roddick at Wimby 09.

I always root for Nadal over Djoker even if it gets him the slam record. Nadal’s numbers are so French skewed the slam record won’t hold up as much.

 

[Sephiroth]

Was rooting for Fed quiet hard vs Djokovic in Wimb 19, his run was pretty epic beating Nadal in the SF and so close to beating Djokovic but he had to friggin choke at match points

 

[Beckerserve]

Yes, I'll be cheering for The Sinner tomorrow.

You will be a happy camper. Tomorrow is a new era. Tomorrow is the sampras v federer moment.
I am usually right. I predicted Sinner would take out Rafa after they played at FO last year. Posted a thread on it.

 

[Sudacafan]

As Federer is out, I am cheering for everybody to lose, except Schwartzman, only because of chauvinism. My situation is terrible.

 

[MichaelNadal]

It appears Novak is being dissed but do I smell a subtle Roger dig too?

Nope, I just don't see him as an enemy.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Nadal - Never. Not a single match. (ABN over anything)

Djokovic - Often.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal - Never. Not a single match. (ABN over anything)

Djokovic - Often.

Idk how people still don't like Nadal lol

 

[D.Nalby12]

Idk how people still don't like Nadal lol

Well I have matured enough now to appreciate his game and achievements. But I don't like him. Rooting against him always has been top interest for me while following Tennis. I wish his defeat in each and every match he plays. It has been case for 10 + years now.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Well I have matured enough now to appreciate his game and achievements. But I don't like him. Rooting against him always has been top interest for me while following Tennis.

He's such a nice dude though and the Fedal rivalry is over lol, im trying to get it but I don't

 

[aldeayeah]

I pretty much always cheer for Federer, as long as it's not a slam final or he's playing Nadal

I also cheer often for Djokovic against many players.

 

[aldeayeah]

the Fedal rivalry is over lol

That depends on next Wimby draw! (and the status of those once mighty knees)

 

[Hamnavoe]

I suppose you'd say Murray's biggest rival was Djokovic, so yes, a few times.