RaulRamirez
Legend
My favorite player is better than yours and I believe all of the following (and more):
1. I will start with that assumption, and then find stats and reasoning (however tenuous, inconsistent or shaky) to support this.
2. I will derive self-esteem from this player's accomplishments (and accept congratulations).
3. If you can't fulfill my own definition of GOAT (based on the above), then you aren't very good, even if your career is considered by almost all pundits to be Top 10, Top 5, Top 3 or even Top 1 in the history of this great sport.
...
In all seriousness, we all have our favorites, for whatever reasons, and that's the nature of sports and other vicarious pursuits. I've been following tennis for a lonnng time (hence my user name...RR was an amazing (esp) doubles player back in the day and one of my personal favorites...and I also have a pretty good sense of the history of the game. I don't have a monopoly on the truth or on sound reasoning, but I try not to post anything that is false or unsound.
After not following tennis for just a few years, I was immediately wowed by Federer - as almost everyone is, and then Nadal just popped off the screen when I first watched him (perhaps Davis Cup, 2004 v. Roddick) and he immediately became my favorite. I always liked Djokovic as well, and have really responded to not only his subtle game but also so many aspects of his personality...to the point where he's become my co-favorite w/ Rafa. But I like all three, greatly admire all of them, and at this point (though recognizing the greatness of Laver, Borg and Sampras and some who preceded them) consider them the 3 best to ever play on the men's tour.
My point is that they are all amazing - with different games, styles and personalities - and play and compete at insane levels. And have for many years. I find GOAT arguments in all sports to be interesting and unavoidable, while realizing that they are not definitive - even till that moment in time.
So, I won't tell you not to advocate for your own favorite(s), but it would be nice to see some sound reasoning along with the passion here. Along with respect for the players and the game, and for others' points of view.
1. I will start with that assumption, and then find stats and reasoning (however tenuous, inconsistent or shaky) to support this.
2. I will derive self-esteem from this player's accomplishments (and accept congratulations).
3. If you can't fulfill my own definition of GOAT (based on the above), then you aren't very good, even if your career is considered by almost all pundits to be Top 10, Top 5, Top 3 or even Top 1 in the history of this great sport.
...
In all seriousness, we all have our favorites, for whatever reasons, and that's the nature of sports and other vicarious pursuits. I've been following tennis for a lonnng time (hence my user name...RR was an amazing (esp) doubles player back in the day and one of my personal favorites...and I also have a pretty good sense of the history of the game. I don't have a monopoly on the truth or on sound reasoning, but I try not to post anything that is false or unsound.
After not following tennis for just a few years, I was immediately wowed by Federer - as almost everyone is, and then Nadal just popped off the screen when I first watched him (perhaps Davis Cup, 2004 v. Roddick) and he immediately became my favorite. I always liked Djokovic as well, and have really responded to not only his subtle game but also so many aspects of his personality...to the point where he's become my co-favorite w/ Rafa. But I like all three, greatly admire all of them, and at this point (though recognizing the greatness of Laver, Borg and Sampras and some who preceded them) consider them the 3 best to ever play on the men's tour.
My point is that they are all amazing - with different games, styles and personalities - and play and compete at insane levels. And have for many years. I find GOAT arguments in all sports to be interesting and unavoidable, while realizing that they are not definitive - even till that moment in time.
So, I won't tell you not to advocate for your own favorite(s), but it would be nice to see some sound reasoning along with the passion here. Along with respect for the players and the game, and for others' points of view.
