Since when are you watching/following Tennis and who was your first hero in Tennis ? (Mention name in comments)

[Fiero425]

I am in the UK, so we saw Wimbledon every year on the BBC live (in glorious black and white until around 1966). They showed all the centre and No 1 court matches from start of play until the evening.



No, we did not get any live tennis from the States here in the UK untiI, I would say the 1980s, and that was just the USO. The time difference does not work in our favour.



It is quite noticeable that when the question is asked about favourite players how often Goolagong is in there, much more often than you might expect from her achievements. Those of us who saw her play know we saw a rare player who combined the most graceful play with the sunniest disposition, and it obviously had an effect on many tennis fans who saw her play.

OMG, that hit a sore spot with Virginia! Loved her so, but the nerves kept her from greatness! I actually emulated that hitch in the serve during my college years! It hooked people off the court more; indoors into the netting! A quote from an article or her book was in the line of "I'd rather play beautiful tennis than win!" After I posted I figured you had to be from GB! Licensing took forever

 

[Tennisgods]

1992 Wimbledon. Agassi!!! I was 10.

 

[airchallenge2]

1992 Wimbledon. Agassi!!! I was 10.

I cried after he won that final.

 

[Backspin1183]

I didn't realize everyone here was so young!

Some of them might be even younger than you, Spencer. I presume you're in your early 20s?

 

[duaneeo]

Was a casual fan until the Williams sisters--who made me a diehard tennis fan (it's funny that I despise Serena today). Hewitt (with the come on! and spunky attitude that so annoyed and frustrated his opponents) made me a diehard fan of mens tennis.

 

[Spencer Gore]

Started watching tennis on TV when I was 4 and vaguely can remember Borg playing McEnroe in 1980. I became Lendl obsessed in first grade when he played Borg in the FO final in 1981 and he was my first (and still greatest) tennis hero. He disappointed me constantly in slams, but once on the Lendl train at such a young age, I wasn't jumping off. First pro match I ever saw live was Ivan in 1982 in New York City.

Lendl became my guy in the 80s, and you're right, it often involved terrible heartache. The Wimbledon semi-final against Becker when the rain interrupted what was looking like certain victory is seared on my soul.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Since when are you watching Tennis and who was your first hero in Tennis ?

(Mention name in comments)

1997 as a 3.5 yo kid, Agassi

 

[Pitti]

Since late 90s. Carlos Moya and late Andre Agassi were the first tennis players I truly admired. But my first (and probably the only) hero, deserving to get that title, was Federer, from 2003 to 2007. For some reason I strongly disliked Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Murray. And I've always strongly liked Del Potro.

 

[Russeljones]

'90-'91
Becker, Stich, Edberg, Sampras, Krajcek, Roddick, Federer

 

[Fiero425]

Since late 90s. Carlos Moya and late Andre Agassi were the first tennis players I truly admired. But my first (and probably the only) hero, deserving to get that title, was Federer, from 2003 to 2007. For some reason I strongly disliked Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Murray. And I've always strongly liked Del Potro.

I was asking myself, "how did I miss that obituary?" Damn, I'm so much older than him! Then I looked again and thought you meant your admiration came "late!"