Were you always a fan of your favorite player?

[McEnroeisanartist]

Were you always a fan of your favorite player?

Like, for example, I remember Federer being impressive in a Davis Cup tie against the U.S. in spring of 2001 and then defeating Sampras at 2001 Wimbledon, but I wasn't a fan of his then. Even as late as 2003 Wimbledon, I remember not being enthusiastic about the final, because he had made it.

I remember 2004 Wimbledon was when I really started to become interested in Federer. Then when he lost to Safin at the 2005 Australian Open was when I really cared about him and his victories/losses.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Yes.

10yeses.

 

[mightyrick]

I was a big fan of Agassi, but there were a few years where he became a complete dooshbag (as many young people do). I was not a fan of his in those years.

I became a fan again when he resurfaced for his second run at #1. He went through a lot of adversity, and I believe it humbled him greatly. His humbleness showed in how he handled himself in his entire life. To this day, I think his post-match retirement statement to the fans and the entire tennis world was the ultimate display of humility and gratitude.

 

[myservenow]

Interesting question. I think about this from time to time. I was a huge Agassi fan and was really enthusiastic about his recommitment to tennis at the end of his career. When he was approaching retirement I thought my days of following tennis were over. I had no one I cared about and knew I'd never cheer for another player like I cheered for Agassi.

Funny thing happened is that I saw Federer play and was intrigued by his one handed back hand. So, started paying attention to him a little. In Agassi's last year, I went to Cincy to my first pro tennis tournament to see my idol Agassi. When I arrived, Agassi had already withdrawn with back injury. Watched Federer instead and have never looked back.

I've lost respect for Agassi after his retirement, have gained a tremendous amount of respect for Pete Sampras after his retirement, but cheer for Federer 100 times more than I ever cheered for Agassi. Strange how that works.

 

[NEW_BORN]

No, i was a Sampras fan before i became a Federer fan.

I remember being really bummed about Sampras losing to Federer at Wimbledon that year.

It wasn't until the 2003Davis Cup that i started to really root for Fed to win, unfortunately, Hewitt made sure i would not forget that day for a long, long time.

 

[SamprasisGOAT]

For me it's strange really because I'm 25 now and didn't see much of Sampras until about 2000 when I first started watching tennis with my dad. My dad was a huge henman fan and I remember watching the Sampras v henman semis in 98-99 at Wimbledon and loving Sampras then. Since those days Petes always been my number 1 players/sportsmen. I started playing tennis in about 2006 properly and I tryed to model my game on Sampras. Nobody else my age likes Sampras or hardly nos him. When I play people who don't know me they are surprised to see a 25 year old using a pro staff 85 and serving and volleying. Ill never change and I'm proud of the fact. I have DVDs of nearly all Petes big games so it doesn't really bother me that I missed a lot of his career. I like other players aswel like Lendl and Connors from the old days. Hate McEnroe. From the players playing now I root for Djokovic the most I think. Because he said Pete was his idol growing up and he beats nadal more then anybody else. Nadals has the worst playing style I've ever seen!

 

[BGod]

Were you always a fan of your favorite player?

Like, for example, I remember Federer being impressive in a Davis Cup tie against the U.S. in spring of 2001 and then defeating Sampras at 2001 Wimbledon, but I wasn't a fan of his then. Even as late as 2003 Wimbledon, I remember not being enthusiastic about the final, because he had made it.

I remember 2004 Wimbledon was when I really started to become interested in Federer. Then when he lost to Safin at the 2005 Australian Open was when I really cared about him and his victories/losses.

Kinda the same for me.

I was still an Agassi fan until his retirement though. Rafter was my 2nd favourite and took over during Agassi's sabbatical. Australian Open 1995 was when I chose Agassi over Sampras because I knew Pete was the fan favourite.

 

[happyloman]

Heard of this kid Nadal beating the King Federer. tuned in to watch him play and followed him ever since

 

[Backspin1183]

I didn't always watch a lot of tennis matches. Liked Federer. Watched the 2006 Wimbledon final. Wanted to see how the Swiss maestro would cream the young Spanish player. Despite losing the first set and the match, the young player from Spain won a new fan that day. Was impressed with his athleticism and fighting spirit. I had never seen any other tennis player getting completely outplayed and still fighting hard for each point. Even when it was clear he had no chance against the genius of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal fought till the end. Have been a fan since.

 

[Chico]

Yes indeed.

 

[Noleberic123]

yes djokovic was my first and will be my last.

 

[veroniquem]

Yep. Agassi since 1988 (That RG semi vs Wilander was incredible). Nadal since Miami 2005. Djoko since 2007.

 

[Backspin1183]

yes djokovic was my first and will be my last.

I would never say anyone is my last ;-)

 

[Noleberic123]

I would never say anyone is my last ;-)

Once djokovic retires. I will just enjoy watching tennis, cant wait for those days. But at the same time it will a extremely sad day when he retires ;(

 

[crash1929]

Yes.

Lendl
To a lesser extent McEnroe
Federer

Overtime I have dislike Nadal less.

 

[Bad_Knee]

Safin was my favourite since 1999, I began supporting Fed properly around 2007 time.

I saw Fed play Safin live on centre court, Wimbledon semi-finals 2008, my 2 favourite players ever, a dream come true.

After Safin left the tour, I've just been devoted to Fed, Safin will always be my favourite though.

 

[Andres]

I became a fan of Goran the moment I saw him for the first time, and that was... I wanna say 1993. (I was born in 1984).

 

[mbm0912]

yes djokovic was my first and will be my last.

Cheers to that, mate!

 

[Sentinel]

McEnroe - yes

Federer - yes

Nole - yes, since about 2005

Radek - hated him first, then started to like him later, the rest is history.

Nadal - will become a fan after he retires (with less slams than Fed)

 

[Wynter]

Hewitt - Davis Cup 03 vs fed, first time watching, epic comeback, I was 7 then haha.

Tomic - Aus Open Debut, liked what I saw gamewise.

Fognini - Aus Open this year, really liked his game, even if he's a mental Headcase.

Kyrgios - Been following since the Aus Open Boy's final last year, first time I watched.

So yeah, the main guys I follow are those I look at and go "Damn he's good." The rest i can appreciate ie; Nole, Rafa, Berdych, but I don't support on a similar level.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I've always liked Hewitt and Murray. With Federer, it wasn't until after he was past his best that I appreciated his greatness (I used to hate him for what he did to Hewitt in GS tournaments).


So, I've been a fan of Hewitt since about 2003 and a fan of Murray since about 2007.

 

[Paul Murphy]

Always.
Lendl - just loved the FO in 84.
Poor Johnny - no wonder he says he has nightmares.

 

[SamprasisGOAT]

This is a good thread. Should be more posts.

 

[Russeljones]

Once djokovic retires. I will just enjoy watching tennis, cant wait for those days. But at the same time it will a extremely sad day when he retires ;(

Is this comment revealing about the nature of some posters here, or am I reading too deeply into it?

 

[Pete.Sampras.]

The only player I ever was a true fan of is Boris Becker. I was a fan ever since I first saw him. I started to play tennis because of him.

After Becker, I just enjoyed the sport. There were/are lots of great players since Boris retired but I'm not a fan of a specific one anymore.

 

[tennisjedi]

Yes.

First noticed Rafa when he played against Federer in the Sony Erricson 2005 final. Unfortunately he lost that match. Ever since that match, he's been my favorite player.

 

[The Green Mile]

LOL

 

[generous50]

Yes. When Nadal won the 2005 French Open, I started to be a fan.