Roger Federer - the most POPULAR athlete of all time?

[Zarfot Z]

Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Kobe Brian, Lionel Messi, they all have fans in their respective sports. But never have I witnessed an athlete that enjoys the same universal appeal as Roger Federer.

I don't know what it is about the guy that makes him so god damn likeable. It goes without saying that Federer has the biggest fan base in the tennis world. For the average person on the street who knows absolutely nothing about tennis, they would support Federer at first sight. I've even seen people put aside their patriotism and support Federer over a tennis player from their own country. Even against the national hero on his home turf, the fans are still split 50/50.

Why is it so?

 

[[ GTR ]]

You know Federer is great when you hear a commentator for the diving in the Olympics say 'It's like watching Federer play tennis. Everything is so easy and smooth'

 

[J10]

All hail King Roger

 

[Evan77]

as if I give a ****. just another stupid thread.

Federina will never be more popular than Ali, and there are so many other guys, but you Fed ****s have nothing else to do but to open these worshiping threads about Federer, BORING.

when Fed retires, it'll be my very happy day because all of you Fed worshipers will disappear, so we can have some normal conversation about tennis not your God.

 

[RF-17-GOAT]

as if I give a ****. just another stupid thread.

Federina will never be more popular than Ali, and there are so many other guys, but you Fed ****s have nothing else to do but to open these worshiping threads about Federer, BORING.

when Fed retires, it'll be my very happy day because all of you Fed worshipers will disappear, so we can have some normal conversation about tennis not your God.

lmao Borg lmao

 

[Vish13]

as if I give a ****. just another stupid thread.

Federina will never be more popular than Ali, and there are so many other guys, but you Fed ****s have nothing else to do but to open these worshiping threads about Federer, BORING.

when Fed retires, it'll be my very happy day because all of you Fed worshipers will disappear, so we can have some normal conversation about tennis not your God.

Are you sure ??? There are so many Pete fans jumping up and down in the forums althoug he has retired a good 10 years ago. For all you know, there might be more Federer chanting, once he retires. Afterall there's ample proof in the forums that there are several who will always term the past as best

And the thread might be repetitive but is not far from truth. You need to see in places where there are not many tennis stars and you'd know how much people follow Federer.

 

[Sentinel]

I love these Fed Threads even more since they rile up Evan77 Just hope Evan doesn't get banned or busy elsewhere.

The "average person on the street who knows nothing about tennis" as you say, from the peeps I know, like Roger for his way of playing tennis, and they also admire Nadal for his amazing athleticism.

A lot of it probably has to do with the hype and the media build-up, can't really say.

 

[kalyan4fedever]

Only the people of serbia may like novak, only people of spain may like rafael, but almost the entire world loves and adores Roger -FACT

 

[Fedex]

as if I give a ****. just another stupid thread.

Federina will never be more popular than Ali, and there are so many other guys, but you Fed ****s have nothing else to do but to open these worshiping threads about Federer, BORING.

when Fed retires, it'll be my very happy day because all of you Fed worshipers will disappear, so we can have some normal conversation about tennis not your God.

It is really sickening.
I greatly admire Federer as a player but this ass kissing is so off putting.

 

[Sentinel]

as if I give a ****. just another stupid thread.

Federina will never be more popular than Ali, and there are so many other guys, but you Fed ****s have nothing else to do but to open these worshiping threads about Federer, BORING.

when Fed retires, it'll be my very happy day because all of you Fed worshipers will disappear, so we can have some normal conversation about tennis not your God.

Don't worry, bro. I'll make sure I start a Fed worshiping thread every other day, IF you are still around, even if it risks my getting banned. I will also turn every thread into a Fed one, by posting Fed statistics like dear bullzie does nowadays with "RNadal".

Enjoy the coming decades.

 

[Fedex]

as if I give a ****. just another stupid thread.

Federina will never be more popular than Ali, and there are so many other guys, but you Fed ****s have nothing else to do but to open these worshiping threads about Federer, BORING.

when Fed retires, it'll be my very happy day because all of you Fed worshipers will disappear, so we can have some normal conversation about tennis not your God.

Here's what someone else posted on another thread:

And I really hope he's gonna honor federer and his fans by defeating Murray and winning his 1st GS.

talking about the forthcoming Berdych Murray match.

Berdych desperately wants to beat Murray so he can honor Federer and his fans.
I nearly vomed into my sandwich.

 

[El Diablo]

As Evan notes, nobody really comes close to the popularity Ali achieved. Several international surveys years ago found him to be the most recognized person in the world, as much in the undeveloped as in the developed countries. He was loved everywhere, and people who knew absolutely nothing about sports all knew who he was.

 

[Fedex]

As Evan notes, nobody really comes close to the popularity Ali achieved. Several international surveys years ago found him to be the most recognized person in the world, as much in the undeveloped as in the developed countries. He was loved everywhere, and people who knew absolutely nothing about sports all knew who he was.

And that is a no brainer.
Borg was an even bigger phenomenon than Federer.
The mass hysteria when he was around was like the Beatles had come to town.
Never been anything like that for another tennis player.

 

[Fedex]

Why am I getting annoyed with sad stupid people writing sh*t like this anyway?
I've got work to do and friends and family to see.
I'll keep posting this image to remind myself what an idiot I've been:

 

[zam88]

as if I give a ****. just another stupid thread.

Federina will never be more popular than Ali, and there are so many other guys, but you Fed ****s have nothing else to do but to open these worshiping threads about Federer, BORING.

when Fed retires, it'll be my very happy day because all of you Fed worshipers will disappear, so we can have some normal conversation about tennis not your God.

Maybe, but I wonder if there will be anyone around to talk about it.

I doubt I'll watch much tennis after he retires because I will have seen the best and don't really need to experience the rest.

kind of like the flight of fans away from the NBA after MJ hung it up.

Although the NBA example isn't completely spot on because LeBron may very well be the new GOAT... but it's going to be at least another 3 titles before the vast majority even accept the comparison

 

[Strategy]

This thread can't be for real

C Ronaldo, Messi, Ali, Tiger Woods, even Jordan are more internationally known than Federer.

He is up there, though.

 

[Sentinel]

Only the people of serbia may like novak, only people of spain may like rafael, but almost the entire world loves and adores Roger -FACT

You forgot to mention that Roger is the best thing since sliced bread, he's better than God, sex, croissants, Chuck Norris, Pete's coffee, morning wood, Mozart, viagra, youtube, Hawkeye, Linux, metamucil, luxilon and Gasquet's overrated backhand.

 

[PSNELKE]

Dunno whether he can beat the likes of Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi and some others in that department.

 

[Sentinel]

As Evan notes, nobody really comes close to the popularity Ali achieved. Several international surveys years ago found him to be the most recognized person in the world, as much in the undeveloped as in the developed countries. He was loved everywhere, and people who knew absolutely nothing about sports all knew who he was.

Ali who ? Zeeshan Ali ? Or Ali McBeal ?

 

[sureshs]

As Evan notes, nobody really comes close to the popularity Ali achieved. Several international surveys years ago found him to be the most recognized person in the world, as much in the undeveloped as in the developed countries. He was loved everywhere, and people who knew absolutely nothing about sports all knew who he was.

"Undeveloped" and "Third World" are not PC any more. It is "developing" or "emerging" nations.

 

[Fedex]

Maybe, but I wonder if there will be anyone around to talk about it.

I doubt I'll watch much tennis after he retires because I will have seen the best and don't really need to experience the rest.

kind of like the flight of fans away from the NBA after MJ hung it up.

Although the NBA example isn't completely spot on because LeBron may very well be the new GOAT... but it's going to be at least another 3 titles before the vast majority even accept the comparison

Oh you've drawn me in again!
Look you are not a true tennis fan, seriously, if you feel this way.
There are some fantastic players and personalities out there in the tennis jungle playing wonderful tennis and great matches.
Liberate yourself and go find them.
I support Murray and would desperately love him to win some slams but I won't let that spoil my enjoyment and appreciation of tennis and the great players who play it, if he never does.
I was in awe of Federer in the Wimbledon final even though he beat my man. No more painful defeat than a Brit/Scot in a Wimbledon final but I could still appreciate the skills of the man who beat him.
I was in awe of Murray's level of play at the Olympics. Lucky for me it was my man. I could still appreciate the skills of the other players in the competition.
And Last night's Djokovic/DelPotro Quarter was a real treat.
There is in fact hardly any top match which I don't enjoy.
The consistent high level of shot making, tactics and also mental resilience these guys display never fails to amaze me.
Can't you see past your hero and observe this?
These guys are the very best in the world and a lot of people don't understand how good they are.
Next match open your eyes. Watch the shots not whose playing it. Put yourself in their shoes and think here's a bomb down the line, what would I do with it. I'm 15-40 and and two set points down. How do I serve. The balls bouncing high near the net. It's an easier shot but if I miss I lose the set then I'm 2 down...
These players are faced with huge pressure moments time and again in a match and they invariably come out with shots I hadn't thought of or couldn't dream of playing.
It is simply amazing to watch.
Can't you see all this?

 

[ollinger]

This what happens when people under 30 start "of all time" threads.

 

[sureshs]

Weren't Sampras and Agassi more well-known internationally in their time?

 

[Gizo]

Borg was a bigger star and more popular in the 70s-early 80s than Federer is now. He was a huge rock star that was followed by hoards of groupies wherever he went.

 

[Gizo]

Weren't Sampras and Agassi more well-known internationally in their time?

Agassi was probably a bigger global superstar than Federer, but definitely not Sampras.

Sampras wasn't even close to being a huge star in the US, as highlighted by the terrible TV ratings for his slam finals when Agassi wasn't standing on the other side of the net, and Sports Illustrated regularly shunning him throughout his career.

 

[DRII]

Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Kobe Brian, Lionel Messi, they all have fans in their respective sports. But never have I witnessed an athlete that enjoys the same universal appeal as Roger Federer.

I don't know what it is about the guy that makes him so god damn likeable. It goes without saying that Federer has the biggest fan base in the tennis world. For the average person on the street who knows absolutely nothing about tennis, they would support Federer at first sight. I've even seen people put aside their patriotism and support Federer over a tennis player from their own country. Even against the national hero on his home turf, the fans are still split 50/50.

Why is it so?

ask yourself why (bolded statement)...


If what you say were true, then tennis would enjoy greater popularity, the 'average person' would know about it. The way Tiger Woods created a boom for golf. However, this has not been the case...

Tennis was more popular in the late 70's and 80's than now.

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

Maybe, but I wonder if there will be anyone around to talk about it.

I doubt I'll watch much tennis after he retires because I will have seen the best and don't really need to experience the rest.

kind of like the flight of fans away from the NBA after MJ hung it up.

Although the NBA example isn't completely spot on because LeBron may very well be the new GOAT... but it's going to be at least another 3 titles before the vast majority even accept the comparison

NBA example is spot on. NBA went down and never really has been as popular as it was during the 90s, though it is getting back there in recent years. But still, that's 10+ years.

I think the golden era of tennis as far as popularity was the 70s-80s though. This era's similar to this era's NBA, close but not as big as the past.

 

[Alchemy-Z]

Based on internet searches

http://bustedcoverage.com/2011/10/19/50-most-popular-athletes/#photo=1

Rafa comes in before Fed on that list @ number 11
with fed @ number 12 (but not in the top ten)

Sharapova at #15 (active)
Serena #16 (active)
Kournikova#25 (retired)
Wozniacki #44(active)


What really shows it is

Jordan #8 (retired)
Pele #3 (retired)

 

[Hood_Man]

I wasn't alive in the 70's/most of the 80's so I can't comment on that, but one things that possibly knocks the scales off balance in favour of today's generation, is that they're the first tennis superstars to dominate in the age of the internet.

I guess broadband speeds that were fast enough to stream live, high quality video, came around halfway through the last decade, when Sampras was gone, Agassi was on the way out, but Federer was already a star and Nadal was joining him.

I'm not sure what the ratings are on TV around the world, but I'd imagine the number of viewers watching these players on live streams (and not always being tracked...) must be in the stratosphere, especially if you add youtube clips to that figure as well.

I wonder what things will be like when these super fast broadband speeds will be as easily available as current 3G technology? Watching the 2018 Wimbledon final while sitting in traffic on your mobile phone for instance.

 

[psYcon]

As Evan notes, nobody really comes close to the popularity Ali achieved. Several international surveys years ago found him to be the most recognized person in the world, as much in the undeveloped as in the developed countries. He was loved everywhere, and people who knew absolutely nothing about sports all knew who he was.

agreed. as much a big Federer fan I am, I think the popularity of Ali may never be reached. That guy was insanely popular.

 

[Iron Man]

Federer is the most popular tennis player ever , people love him because of his tennis not anything else , he's the crowds favourite everywhere he plays as they consider him a living legend

don't forget that tennis has become more mediatised and popular now than it was years ago , I'm not talking about USA or even Europe but in all the continents . there are thousands of TV channels broadcasting all tennis matches and all tournaments something that has made tennis an international sport

and Federer as a tennis prodigy is the favourite player for millions of people . They love him because of his insane records , his peerless level of play and his class inside and outside the tennis courts .

Nadal comes second in my opinion , because many people especially the younger ones admire his fighting spirit and determination

Agassi was popular too because of his easy-going personality and his looks ( with the wig )

Borg was an icon in the eighties and was adored by people especially the girls

 

[zam88]

Oh you've drawn me in again!
Look you are not a true tennis fan, seriously, if you feel this way.
There are some fantastic players and personalities out there in the tennis jungle playing wonderful tennis and great matches.
Liberate yourself and go find them.
I support Murray and would desperately love him to win some slams but I won't let that spoil my enjoyment and appreciation of tennis and the great players who play it, if he never does.
I was in awe of Federer in the Wimbledon final even though he beat my man. No more painful defeat than a Brit/Scot in a Wimbledon final but I could still appreciate the skills of the man who beat him.
I was in awe of Murray's level of play at the Olympics. Lucky for me it was my man. I could still appreciate the skills of the other players in the competition.
And Last night's Djokovic/DelPotro Quarter was a real treat.
There is in fact hardly any top match which I don't enjoy.
The consistent high level of shot making, tactics and also mental resilience these guys display never fails to amaze me.
Can't you see past your hero and observe this?
These guys are the very best in the world and a lot of people don't understand how good they are.
Next match open your eyes. Watch the shots not whose playing it. Put yourself in their shoes and think here's a bomb down the line, what would I do with it. I'm 15-40 and and two set points down. How do I serve. The balls bouncing high near the net. It's an easier shot but if I miss I lose the set then I'm 2 down...
These players are faced with huge pressure moments time and again in a match and they invariably come out with shots I hadn't thought of or couldn't dream of playing.
It is simply amazing to watch.
Can't you see all this?

Yes there are some great matches out there.

Look, I have always thought tennis was cool, but never a huge fan.

I got into the ATP heavily after I reached a level of frustration with American team sports that I couldn't take anymore. I was so pissed after the fluke Super Bowl win of the '07 Giants over New England that I couldn't take it anymore.

I needed a sport where the top guys always won. So I gravitated to tennis, immediately watched a great Federer match and all of a sudden fell in love with tennis again.

I've watched his last 5 slam wins very closely.. and of course seen some major heartbreak as well including getting blown out at the FO '08, the greatest match ever at Wimby '08, the horrible '09 AO and USO defeats.... and the expected but still heartbreaking '11 FO defeat.. and some serious disappointment at the USO the last 3 years.

It makes me wish I'd gotten in in '04-07 when i wouldn't have experienced many losses at all.. just pure domination.

I have a hard time staying interested in other matches even if they are high quality.

After Federer retires I will probably just watch semi-finals and finals until a major American star starts winning.

Of non-Americans, Federer is the only one i could get excited about.

if that makes me not a tennis fan, so be it... i watch what i like... I don't have time or the inclination to do anything more.

 

[JMR]

Borg was a bigger star and more popular in the 70s-early 80s than Federer is now. He was a huge rock star that was followed by hoards of groupies wherever he went.

The groupies phenomenon occurred only during Borg's "Teen Angel" years, roughly 1973 to 1975 or so. After he had been on the scene for a few years, the more aggressive "Borgmania" faded, although of course he remained immensely popular.

Tennis had a higher media profile during the fabled "tennis boom" of that period than the sport does today, but remember that the tennis world was smaller than it is today. Today's game is globalized to a greater degree, meaning that although Federer is probably not as big a general-purpose celebrity as Borg used to be in countries like the United States and Britain, he is probably better known in places like China than Borg was.

 

[Andres]

 

[Sentinel]

Based on internet searches

http://bustedcoverage.com/2011/10/19/50-most-popular-athletes/#photo=1

Rafa comes in before Fed on that list @ number 11
with fed @ number 12 (but not in the top ten)

Wow ! This is what it say about Federer !

Yet Federer remains an icon who held the WTA world #1 spot for a record 237 consecutive weeks.

Very creditable indeed.

 

[DRII]

The groupies phenomenon occurred only during Borg's "Teen Angel" years, roughly 1973 to 1975 or so. After he had been on the scene for a few years, the more aggressive "Borgmania" faded, although of course he remained immensely popular.

Tennis had a higher media profile during the fabled "tennis boom" of that period than the sport does today, but remember that the tennis world was smaller than it is today. Today's game is globalized to a greater degree, meaning that although Federer is probably not as big a general-purpose celebrity as Borg used to be in countries like the United States and Britain, he is probably better known in places like China than Borg was.

Non-apt comparison...

Everything is more gloabalized now vs the 70's. If anything Federer has a much better chance to increase tennis' popularity vs Borg and the other superstars of that time due to technology gains.

Li Na has penetrated China and will probably be more responsible for tennis' growth in Asia than any other tennis player.

 

[kalyan4fedever]

You forgot to mention that Roger is the best thing since sliced bread, he's better than God, sex, croissants, Chuck Norris, Pete's coffee, morning wood, Mozart, viagra, youtube, Hawkeye, Linux, metamucil, luxilon and Gasquet's overrated backhand.

Poor gasquet The only match left now which is not predictable in uso is shriekarenka vs shriekapova

 

[10is]

Based on internet searches

http://bustedcoverage.com/2011/10/19/50-most-popular-athletes/#photo=1

Rafa comes in before Fed on that list @ number 11
with fed @ number 12 (but not in the top ten)

Sharapova at #15 (active)
Serena #16 (active)
Kournikova#25 (retired)
Wozniacki #44(active)


What really shows it is

Jordan #8 (retired)
Pele #3 (retired)

Ummm.....the list is clearly biased since using the exact same search methodology (i.e. name in quotes, safe search off) :

"Michael Jordan" = 46,000,000 results
"Roger Federer" = 41,400,000 results
"Rafael Nadal" = 24,300,000 results

So how they placed Nadal ahead of Federer is beyond me. Also, to offset the possibility of those names belonging to more than one individual (for instance more generic names like "Pele", since the latter is only known primarily by his last name) I added the names of their respective sports after their names in quotes:

"Tiger Woods" golf = 60,700,000 results
"Michael Jordan" basketball = 57,600,000 results
"Roger Federer" tennis = 48,600,000 results
"Rafael Nadal" tennis = 33,800,000 results
"Muhammad Ali" boxing = 32,900,000 results
"Pele" football = 8,080,000 results

Using an internet search engine as an arbiter of popularity is clearly a flawed strategy for a myriad of reasons.

 

[Andres]

Based on internet searches

http://bustedcoverage.com/2011/10/19/50-most-popular-athletes/#photo=1

Rafa comes in before Fed on that list @ number 11
with fed @ number 12 (but not in the top ten)

Sharapova at #15 (active)
Serena #16 (active)
Kournikova#25 (retired)
Wozniacki #44(active)


What really shows it is

Jordan #8 (retired)
Pele #3 (retired)

#12 Roger Federer - 29,200,000 resultsHave you ever heard Roger Federer speak longer than two minutes on ESPN? Same here. His off-court life is boring. His wife remains relatively unknown. He could walk into a grocery store in Cincinnati, Ohio and barely be recognized. Yet Federer remains an icon who held the WTA world #1 spot for a record 237 consecutive weeks. 4.5 years. Domination.

 

[10is]

^As I have demonstrated beyond doubt -- the number they cite is inherently biased considering it does not reflect the search strategy they have claimed to use.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

What he said.

Besides, there is more to this popularity than just the pure sporting achievements or impact on the game.

Popularity of an athlete depends on things like:

- involvement in activities other than the sport, that he plays (most recent example of this: Lance Armstrong)

- social background and associated with it ongoing processes during the time, when the said athlete has been in his peak/prime (Ali)

- unique circumstances (raising of Senna's star)

Based on popularity achieved via pure impact on the sport I would say that Jordan, Schumacher, Cruyff, Maradona, Pele and others are ahead of Federer.

 

[Sumo]

Pele, Ali, or Jordan.

No one else even comes close.

 

[10is]

Schumacher? LOL! No!
Cryuff? Who?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Schumacher? LOL! No!
Cryuff? Who?

Schumacher LOL "the first athlete billionaire".

Actually, he is the living legend, a link between the late days of Senna and, well, nowadays. If you didn't see him even as a youngster, you wouldn't have the faintest idea, why he was/is so popular.

At some point "Ferrari" (and I mean the car manifacturer, not only the F1 team) meant actually Schumacher. A rare feat.

As for Cruyff. Only a guy, who haven't seen what Ajax (Amsterdam) with Cruyff represented, could ask such a question. Cruyff represented a particular style of play, that had an impact on the evolution of the game, that easily surpasses anything, that Maradona has produced (with Napoli, Argentina etc)

 

[Moose Malloy]

I needed a sport where the top guys always won

well, if that doesn't sum up why surfaces were slowed & 32 seeds started being used, I don't know what does. The ATP/ITF isn't stupid, they know what the casual fan wanted & gave it to him. Career slams every other year. 3 slam seasons every other year. we're up to 10 straight semis for Djokovic, right? majority of fans will never get sick of same guys winning. and there is no end in sight(do any of you really think Fed & Nadal are done winning majors?)

Federer is probably not as big a general-purpose celebrity as Borg used to be in countries like the United States and Britain, he is probably better known in places like China than Borg was.

I doubt Michael Jackson wasn't as well known in China in 1980 as Justin Bieber is today there. In general I think celebrities were more well known in 1980 than celebrities today. with internet you can isolate yourself from 'celebrities' much more easily than the 80s(a lot of people have no clue who Kim Kardashian or Justin Bieber are, god bless them) because in the 80s you had to pick up a paper or turn on a tv to find out anything that was going on in the world(and Borg was often there) Today you can just go to the websites you like, and live in blissful ignorance(I have no doubt the average American is less aware of politics today than they were in the primitive 80s, despite so much more information available today. in a way its TOO much. a newspaper/magazine gave you only so much. and that little amount could make a bigger impression than the overload of today)

And Borg was offered millions to play exos pretty much everywhere back then, he was arguably the most famous athlete in the world(certainly the most endorsed) not just the most famous tennis player.

Still Federer's popularity is pretty amazing, the sport will take a hit when he retires(which I don't think is anytime soon)

 

[RF20Lennon]

Federer has incredible class and swagger and style that no tennis player can even hope to achieve! Plus the way he plays tennis is just soo beautiful to watch! Hes got the grace, the calmness, the way he dresses and just the way he carries himself. Very professional, very classy. The reason im a huge fed fan is not just because of the tennis he plays but the all round aspects like speaking multiple languages and etc. Thats why people love him hes not just a tennis icon hes a global superstar like Ronaldo, Beckham, Messi and Ali, Pele

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

I doubt Michael Jackson wasn't as well known in China in 1980 as Justin Bieber is today there. In general I think celebrities were more well known in 1980 than celebrities today. with internet you can isolate yourself from 'celebrities' much more easily than the 80s(a lot of people have no clue who Kim Kardashian or Justin Bieber are, god bless them) because in the 80s you had to pick up a paper or turn on a tv to find out anything that was going on in the world(and Borg was often there) Today you can just go to the websites you like, and live in blissful ignorance(I have no doubt the average American is less aware of politics today than they were in the primitive 80s, despite so much more information available today. in a way its TOO much. a newspaper/magazine gave you only so much. and that little amount could make a bigger impression than the overload of today)

I disagree. If anything the internet - and social media - allows celebs to have a longer lasting impression and wider sphere of influence then they've ever had. Agree with everything else you said though.

 

[Sumo]

As for Cruyff. Only a guy, who haven't seen what Ajax (Amsterdam) with Cruyff represented, could ask such a question. Cruyff represented a particular style of play, that had an impact on the evolution of the game, that easily surpasses anything, that Maradona has produced (with Napoli, Argentina etc)

You know having to do this just reinforces the "Cruyff who?" point right?

 

[Alchemy-Z]

well, if that doesn't sum up why surfaces were slowed & 32 seeds started being used, I don't know what does. The ATP/ITF isn't stupid, they know what the casual fan wanted & gave it to him. Career slams every other year. 3 slam seasons every other year. we're up to 10 straight semis for Djokovic, right? majority of fans will never get sick of same guys winning. and there is no end in sight(do any of you really think Fed & Nadal are done winning majors?)





I doubt Michael Jackson wasn't as well known in China in 1980 as Justin Bieber is today there. In general I think celebrities were more well known in 1980 than celebrities today. with internet you can isolate yourself from 'celebrities' much more easily than the 80s(a lot of people have no clue who Kim Kardashian or Justin Bieber are, god bless them) because in the 80s you had to pick up a paper or turn on a tv to find out anything that was going on in the world(and Borg was often there) Today you can just go to the websites you like, and live in blissful ignorance(I have no doubt the average American is less aware of politics today than they were in the primitive 80s, despite so much more information available today. in a way its TOO much. a newspaper/magazine gave you only so much. and that little amount could make a bigger impression than the overload of today)

And Borg was offered millions to play exos pretty much everywhere back then, he was arguably the most famous athlete in the world(certainly the most endorsed) not just the most famous tennis player.

Still Federer's popularity is pretty amazing, the sport will take a hit when he retires(which I don't think is anytime soon)

PSY disagrees with you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0

 

[kiki]

Not anything against him but there are like 50 or 60 guys ranging from more popular to much more popular including a bunch of tennis greats