I saw Federer for the first time last week!!

[RF20Lennon]

Firstly, I'm not sure if this thread even belongs here so if it doesn't I do apologize and hope admins move it to the proper place.

But this past week I finally had the chance to see Roger Federer live in Cincy! I saw his QF match against Lopez, Semis vs Andy and the Final vs Novak. It was a surreal experience, truly. I was watching him practice before his match against Andy and I couldn't have been more than 8 feet away and I was pretty star struck to say the least and couldn't think of anything coherent to say. I've been following Federer since I was about 9 and finally seeing him up close after all these years I was pretty shaken to say the least. I saw Andy as well as Novak practice as well and these guys really do look larger than life up close and it was like being amongst Gods.

It was a wonderful tournament and I loved every bit of it! Watching tennis live in the stadium is just another experience, even the most mundane of points seem tantalizing and the crowd is so magnetic. Up close I really got a chance to fully appreciate the talent and the strokes of the top guys. Federer makes tennis so beautiful and it just looks so easy when he does it. Passing shots that look quite routine on TV, look near impossible live. Safe to say I throughly understood why Rob Koenig goes crazy every time Federer strikes a good ball.

Couldn't get any autographs sadly, but got pictures and really am extremely privileged that I got to see Federer play and hoist a trophy. One of the most treasured moments of my life for sure! I certainly do hope all of you or at least most of you get to watch your favorite players LIVE because it really is something else. To truly appreciate what these guys put out there and the atmosphere of the tennis crowd is just simply amazing. Even simply shots draw so many 'ooh's' and 'aah's' from you.

Also I found that watching tennis live is a lot more entertaining and relaxing than it is on TV where I'm usually screaming and throwing things. Any of you feel the same way?

 

[Cullin Kin]

Awesome! You are lucky! I can't tell you how much I want to do that! I want to see Fed/Djok live as well as buy my mom tickets to see Serena live. Have to do it soon though, who knows how much longer both will be around!

 

[Inanimate_object]

Completely different experiences for sure. How far up were you sitting? I agree, tennis loses a ton of it's sublety when being watched through a camera, I'm not sure how this can be fixed. I've been to Rome, Paris and Houston for the Year end championships along with NY of course. You can truly grasp how friggin' hard these pros are hitting the ball when you have full vision of the size of the court and how the ball is flying through the air from racket head to racket head. At the same time, for me, it's too much to take in at once. I almost always have to rely on replays. Focus on one player's mesmerizing movement too much and you forget the other guy is sneaking up to position for an off-forehand or a charge to the net.

I agree I'm a bit less animated when watching tennis live, mostly I think this comes down to the entire crowd having latent energy - you yourself don't feel the need to contribute such a great amount when the whole stadium is vibrating with this anxious excitement. Wouldn't want to watch every match live, that's for sure, but it sure is a different and memorable experience.

Monte Carlo would probably be the perfect place for live tennis.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Can you estimate those 3 guys height and weights?

 

[RF20Lennon]

Completely different experiences for sure. How far up were you sitting? I agree, tennis loses a ton of it's sublety when being watched through a camera, I'm not sure how this can be fixed. I've been to Rome, Paris and Houston for the Year end championships along with NY of course. You can truly grasp how friggin' hard these pros are hitting the ball when you have full vision of the size of the court and how the ball is flying through the air from racket head to racket head. At the same time, for me, it's too much to take in at once. I almost always have to rely on replays. Focus on one player's mesmerizing movement too much and you forget the other guy is sneaking up to position for an off-forehand or a charge to the net.

I agree I'm a bit less animated when watching tennis live, mostly I think this comes down to the entire crowd having latent energy - you yourself don't feel the need to contribute such a great amount when the whole stadium is vibrating with this anxious excitement. Wouldn't want to watch every match live, that's for sure, but it sure is a different and memorable experience.

Monte Carlo would probably be the perfect place for live tennis.

Close to the middle of the stadium but I would walk down during the change overs and see them up close at times while standing so I got to appreciate all the sides.

Yeah I agree with the Bolded part compeletely!

 

[RF20Lennon]

Awesome! You are lucky! I can't tell you how much I want to do that! I want to see Fed/Djok live as well as buy my mom tickets to see Serena live. Have to do it soon though, who knows how much longer both will be around!

I really hope you do! It's worth every penny! Yeah don't know how much longer he'll stay so do it as soon as possible

 

[RF20Lennon]

Can you estimate those 3 guys height and weights?

Well to be fair I'm kind of average myself. I'm about 5'10" so compared to me those guys looked MASSIVE. I have friends who have similar heights and weights but these guys just look larger than life up close. All 3 guys tower over the rest of the members in their camp.

 

[tennisaddict]

Tennis on TV is actually a very very poor version of live tennis.

The court side cameras that you see on some streams (like usopen.org live telecast) gives you a much better picture.

You don't see top spin / angles in TV. If you sit right behind the baseline, the experience is surreal. At the same time, it is no fun sitting in the bleacher seats.

OP, happy for your experience.

 

[StanTheMan]

Man, I envy you!

I don't think I'll ever see any of those players you mentioned live, and that saddens me, especially regarding Fed.

Maybe next year, in the Olympics

 

[StanTheMan]

Plus, nice report about the whole experience. Thanks for sharing

 

[Booger]

You will still be talking about it for many years to come. The future of tennis is all about bashing topspin groundstrokes, so Federer is not just the GOAT, but likely the last dominant all court player we'll see. I'd like to watch him in person at least one more time before he retires.

 

[jwjh]

Sounds like you had a religious experience! Would be great if you could oblige us with some pics.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Sounds like you had a religious experience! Would be great if you could oblige us with some pics.

Will do! Just getting back and sorting things out. I'll put up the pics tomorrow. The file size for the pictures seem too big so I'll have to find a way.

 

[Russeljones]

@RF20Lennon What a wonderful occasion that must have been for you. Thank you for sharing!

 

[RF20Lennon]

Anyone know how to upload pictures? I can't seem to attach anything from my computer.

 

[Inanimate_object]

Anyone know how to upload pictures? I can't seem to attach anything from my computer.

For sensible security reasons you have to host it on another server somewhere.

 

[SoBad]

Feder was doing some kind of outdoor interview at the USO the other year. As soon as I saw the disgusting crowd around that TV booth, I turned around, purchased a hamburger and a soda, and went to see Tursunov practice on one of the back courts. We had a nice chat and his Russian was quite clean and intelligent.

 

[RF20Lennon]

For sensible security reasons you have to host it on another server somewhere.

Oh ok alright then guess I'll have to find a site to do so.

 

[Mainad]

Interesting post and nice report. Sounds like you had a really good time. It must be strange seeing those guys up close and in the flesh. I envy you. Thanks for sharing!

 

[bjsnider]

Oh ok alright then guess I'll have to find a site to do so.

You could create a Flickr account and link them from that.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Interesting post and nice report. Sounds like you had a really good time. It must be strange seeing those guys up close and in the flesh. I envy you. Thanks for sharing!

It really was! Murray actually shook my hand. I got to see him practice REALLY CLOSE. I'll try to post pics ASAP.

 

[Mainad]

It really was! Murray actually shook my hand. I got to see him practice REALLY CLOSE. I'll try to post pics ASAP.

Thanks. I'll Look forward to that!

 

[spirit95]

Completely different experiences for sure. How far up were you sitting? I agree, tennis loses a ton of it's sublety when being watched through a camera, I'm not sure how this can be fixed.

Court level viewpoint.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Hopefully when I finally see Rafa next year he can at least remember how to rally for more than 1-2 shots.

 

[tennisaddict]

Hopefully when I finally see Rafa next year he can at least remember how to rally for more than 1-2 shots.

Hope you are going to be there for the first week.

 

[mt89]

Can also try Dropbox or imgur for hosting

 

[Chanwan]

Hope you are going to be there for the first week.

come on, don't be cruel

 

[Chanwan]

Can you estimate those 3 guys height and weights?

you don't trust there official height? I've been within 2-3 meters of all three of them and to my eye (am 6'1 myself), they seem about right. Fed being the smallest (my height), Djoko in the middle just above and Murray the tallest (though not quite 6'3 = 1,91).

@RF20Lennon - it truly is amazing isn't it? Glad you got to see them and great you got to see Fed play like this and win!

 

[tennisaddict]

come on, don't be cruel

I felt bad for MN in the first place that he has missed watching Rafa in all his glory in 2010 / 2013.

Now, when he finally gets a chance to go to Miami next year, I don't want to him to be disappointed in not seeing him at all. We have to remember Rafa would be tired after AO / IW.

 

[robok9]

Good for you! I really want to see him as well. Went to Miami 2014 (my only ATP tournament so far) and got to see Djokovic-Murray, but I was so sad when I found out Fed was playing in the night session. I even waited for hours at the practice court he was supposed to warm up at, but he never showed up. I have yet to actually see him, and I really want to before he retires.

 

[MichaelNadal]

come on, don't be cruel

He's keeping it real, thinking what I'm already thinking lol.

 

[RF20Lennon]

He's keeping it real, thinking what I'm already thinking lol.

I was actually trying to get second round tickets as well. I'm scared Federer will lose any match be plays. I got lucky though!

 

[MichaelNadal]

I have to see Venus next year too as I'm not too sure she'll play after the USO.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Great opening post.

I've seen all the greats play in person from 1984 on. The most impressive to watch in person aren't necessarily my favorite players. But I was always blown away by:

Becker's first serve
Agassi's FH
Edberg's volleys
Fed's overall talent and game
Lendl's FH

Pete's serve in person never seemed as impressive as on TV. Connors and Mac didn't have a lot of pace of their shots, which always disappointed me. Wilander always looks totally average, yet look at his results. Fastest player I've ever seen is Chang, whom I detested, but all credit to his foot speed.

Rafa''s FH in practice always has seemed vastly more heavy than in actual matches. Rafa's practices, hands down, are the most intense I've ever seen.

 

[ProStaff forever]

Only chance I've seen Fed in all his glory was his clash of times tour with Pete in Malaysia during 2007. Wasn't very much engaged in tennis back then but Fed looks much better built in person than on TV, his legs are sexay: big calves caught my eye. Stokes wise I thought Pete was more solid but Fed just had all the magic at his disposal. His spin serves look average but just win points effortlessly. Just happy to have seen my first pro match played by 2 all time greats.

 

[LazyNinja19]

Very happy for you RF20, that you finally got to see your favorite player live.

#YehHuiNaBaat

 

[Sentinel]

But this past week I finally had the chance to see Roger Federer live in Cincy! I saw his QF match against Lopez, Semis vs Andy and the Final vs Novak

Wow !

#Envy

^ #YehHuiNaBaat

 

[LETitBE]

Great opening post.

I've seen all the greats play in person from 1984 on. The most impressive to watch in person aren't necessarily my favorite players. But I was always blown away by:

Becker's first serve
Agassi's FH
Edberg's volleys
Fed's overall talent and game
Lendl's FH

Pete's serve in person never seemed as impressive as on TV. Connors and Mac didn't have a lot of pace of their shots, which always disappointed me. Wilander always looks totally average, yet look at his results. Fastest player I've ever seen is Chang, whom I detested, but all credit to his foot speed.

Rafa''s FH in practice always has seemed vastly more heavy than in actual matches. Rafa's practices, hands down, are the most intense I've ever seen.

when was the last time you seen him practice?nadal i mean .

 

[RF20Lennon]

I really hope this works!

 

[RF20Lennon]

 

[RF20Lennon]

Interesting post and nice report. Sounds like you had a really good time. It must be strange seeing those guys up close and in the flesh. I envy you. Thanks for sharing!

Here you go!

 

[RF20Lennon]

Novak fans! Right now this is all I can post but I have a few more which I need to sort out and I'll post the rest later.

 

[chjtennis]

That's great, RF20Lennon! Good on you! I've seen him from literally 3 feet away and got an autograph on my RF cap after his Sunday practice session, which seemed to be the only realistic chance to get that close to him. That was back in 2013 in Melbourne, yes, during AO. The local there told me I was very lucky to have got that autograph because he hasn't got any even after coming to the event every year. I watched Federer playing Tomic at Rod Laver Arena the night before, and I was surprised how many Aussies cheered for Federer there. He is a truly amazing man. He indeed looks bigger(but slim) in person. His broad shoulders really stood out. Thanks for sharing your memorable experience. Looks like you had a great time!

 

[RF20Lennon]

And FINALLY a badly framed picture of the Bryan Bros. Sadly they lost this one (probably because I left to see the Federer-Lopez match. They were up when I was there)

 

[RF20Lennon]

Btw if anyone cares Murray smiles a lot more and seems very relaxed when there are no cameras! He seems a little camera shy. Cause he was laughing and waving quite a bit when people cheered his name during practice. He was gracious enough to give me a handshake as well.

 

[RF20Lennon]

That's great, RF20Lennon! Good on you! I've seen him from literally 3 feet away and got an autograph on my RF cap after his Sunday practice session, which seemed to be the only realistic chance to get that close to him. That was back in 2013 in Melbourne, yes, during AO. The local there told me I was very lucky to have got that autograph because he hasn't got any even after coming to the event every year. I watched Federer playing Tomic at Rod Laver Arena the night before, and I was surprised how many Aussies cheered for Federer there. He is a truly amazing man. He indeed looks bigger(but slim) in person. His broad shoulders really stood out. Thanks for sharing your memorable experience. Looks like you had a great time!

Yeah he's very difficult to get an autograph because there are just so many people. There is no way he could sign everyone's. You are really lucky! The slam matches must be electric. Hope to see that someday.

 

[Mainad]

Btw if anyone cares Murray smiles a lot more and seems very relaxed when there are no cameras! He seems a little camera shy. Cause he was laughing and waving quite a bit when people cheered his name during practice. He was gracious enough to give me a handshake as well.

Read my signature!

 

[TennisCJC]

Yep, it is a totally different game when you see it live. TV doesn't do justice to the power, speed, sound and spin of the game. It is like a different sport. I am happy you got to see Federer as I don't think he will be around too much longer.

 

[Tennis_tennis]

Its simply amazing to see this guys in real. I have seen most of the top 20 in real except Federer
Seen these folks in real
I really enjoy seeing them practice than seeing them playing matches.
Its a total different experience , really exciting , so I can imagine your excitement of seeing Federer. I got ticket for last years US open semis but unfortunately I was not able to go that day
Novak vs Ferrer - USO 2013 Semis
Andy VS Bedrych USO 2013 Semis
Delpotro
Raonic
Nishikori
Dolgolopov
Haas
Young
DImitrov
Cilic
Gasquet
Troiscki
Isner
Feliciano Lopez
Mardy FIsh
Pospisil
SOck
Julian Benneteue

 

[Sentinel]

And FINALLY a badly framed picture of the Bryan Bros. Sadly they lost this one (probably because I left to see the Federer-Lopez match. They were up when I was there)

Then you had BETTER go and see the USO matches!

You are a lucky charm for Fed and we need EIGHTEEN real bad !!!