what do you love the most about the sport of tennis

[Death Master]

what do you love the most about the sport of tennis?


be honest and come clean.


you have the floor. have at it and have fun.


and of course a related question: what do you hate the most about the sport?

what would you change? how would you change it?

 

[MichaelNadal]

My favorite thing about tennis is the fact that it's not over till it's over. There's no clock. You can be down 0-6, 0-6, 0-5, 15-40 and win the match. It's all about who has the right shots, heart, mental state and just who the better man is on the day.
The greats will find ways to turn a match around or win when they aren't playing well. In basketball for example, if the score is 56-83 in the 4th quarter, the game is over and the rest is a formality. Nothing is guaranteed in tennis till the last point.

 

[Death Master]

that is a fantastic post mate.


absolutely superb.

 

[Death Master]

I like the gladiatorial/warrior aspect of it.

it is modern day gladiatorial combat of the highest order that has it all.

each waging war against the other and in the end the best one is left to stand tall.

and the fact that these warriors have to engage in these brutal combats for a full year and year after year for many years allows the world to see and know who really is the best.

it is engaging drama with all the plots and sub plots that unfolds before the eyes of the world for years.

 

[Death Master]

i could never do without tennis.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I like the gladiatorial/warrior aspect of it.

it is modern day gladiatorial combat of the highest order that has it all.

each waging war against the other and in the end the best one is left to stand tall.

and the fact that these warriors have to engage in these brutal combats for a full year and year after year for many years allows the world to see and know who really is the best.

it is engaging drama with all the plots and sub plots that unfolds before the eyes of the world for years.

Amen. That's why my favorite matchup is Djokodal. It's everything that makes today's tennis explosive. What they push each other to do, all to win titles and be the best is just amazing.

 

[MonkeyBoy]

I like the gladiatorial/warrior aspect of it.

it is modern day gladiatorial combat of the highest order that has it all.

each waging war against the other and in the end the best one is left to stand tall.

and the fact that these warriors have to engage in these brutal combats for a full year and year after year for many years allows the world to see and know who really is the best.

it is engaging drama with all the plots and sub plots that unfolds before the eyes of the world for years.

Agreed. The individuality of the sport. The drama and excitement of the characters the action fructifies.

The only sport that comes close to fostering the same kind of personality in it's participants is boxing. But in boxing the fighters are allowed to convene with their corners in the breaks. In tennis the player is BUT ALONE IN THE DARKNESS. (no coaching allowed)

The scoring system, with all it's nooks, valleys and crevices is nearly perfectly designed imo. The lack of a clock aids things as well. It ain't over till the last point. Not like soccer where a team can get a lucky goal then park the bus and run down the 90 minutes.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Agreed. The individuality of the sport. The drama and excitement of the characters the action fructifies.

The only sport that comes close to fostering the same kind of personality in it's participants is boxing. But in boxing the fighters are allowed to convene with their corners in the breaks. In tennis the player is BUT ALONE IN THE DARKNESS. (no coaching allowed)

The scoring system, with all it's nooks, valleys and crevices is nearly perfectly designed imo. The lack of a clock aids things as well. It ain't over till the last point. Not like soccer where a team can get a lucky goal then park the bus and run down the 90 minutes.

Agreed. Tennis scoring is perfect, I wouldn't change a thing about it.

 

[Death Master]

general michaelnadal makes an outstanding point:


this gladitorial battle has no end until it ends. and sometimes it never ever ends.

what could possibly be more sublime?



my own little story comes to mind. i was having some beer with my fellow tennis players a few years ago after a brutal training session.


somebody asked me what i loved the most about the sport of tennis. my answer was a little less mature but it was the truth:

i said it is because i have the opportunity to destroy somebody physically, mentally, and emotionally in this sport without even laying a hand on them.

and there is blood shed out there. often the blood sheds for decades and some wounds never heal.

vilas probably still aches secretly about that loss to orantes at the u.s. open. he still hurts and bleeds a little from that loss to wilander at RG decades ago.

he was the heavy favorite and should have been able to figure out a way.


johnny mac still bleeds from his loss to lendl at RG.

and so on.

some wounds never heal. many scars are forever and sometimes the bleeding never ever stops.

such is the nature of this gladiatorial combat.

 

[Russeljones]

what do you love the most about the sport of tennis?


be honest and come clean.


you have the floor. have at it and have fun.


and of course a related question: what do you hate the most about the sport?

what would you change? how would you change it?

I like the individuality. They say it is the loneliest sport for the athlete but I think that fits me just fine. It's a little bit like boxing in that it's quite personal, one on one.

I don't like what tennis is becoming. The homogenization will one day lead to my son to asking me why the tennis surfaces have different colours. I won't have a very good answer to that.

As for change? I would have the basic racquet/string technology reinstated to restore some purity. The surfaces would be reworked to what they were in the end fo the 80's.

 

[Antonio Puente]

What do you love the most about the sport of tennis?

The chicks, obviously.

Who needs Kate Upton...

... when you can have this:

Rock on.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

I'm only in it for the kooky fanbase ( yellowball, bullsh1ta, TDK, CheaterNadal)

 

[Antonio Puente]

I'm only in it for the kooky fanbase ( yellowball, bullsh1ta, TDK, CheaterNadal)

Legend .

 

[Midaso240]

The chicks, obviously.

Who needs Kate Upton...

... when you can have this:

Rock on.

Bad example,Kate Upton is hardly the best the female gender has to offer...

 

[Kenshin]

It's a little bit like boxing. One-on-one and intense. Players have their own personality. You can choose who you want to support. It's fun. I love how they have different surfaces and colors. It's beatuiful to watch.

 

[Death Master]

proper planning is required before you even step on the court/battlefield.

the sport also requires strategy, tactics, analysis and diagnosis, and problem solving skills.

 

[furryballs]

i watched nadals problem solving skills vs delpo the other day........totally impressed i was

 

[Mr.Lob]

I like the gladiatorial/warrior aspect of it.

it is modern day gladiatorial combat of the highest order that has it all.

each waging war against the other and in the end the best one is left to stand tall.

and the fact that these warriors have to engage in these brutal combats for a full year and year after year for many years allows the world to see and know who really is the best.

it is engaging drama with all the plots and sub plots that unfolds before the eyes of the world for years.

Uhh, you may be going a bit overboard with all the blood, guts, and glory stuff. Basically it's two dudes batting a fuzzy little ball back and forth.LOL

 

[v-verb]

I like the gladiatorial/warrior aspect of it.

it is modern day gladiatorial combat of the highest order that has it all.

each waging war against the other and in the end the best one is left to stand tall.

and the fact that these warriors have to engage in these brutal combats for a full year and year after year for many years allows the world to see and know who really is the best.

it is engaging drama with all the plots and sub plots that unfolds before the eyes of the world for years.

That's what I enjoy as well - the controlled aggression - it's war where no one gets hurt and the combatants can enjoy a nosh after (typically beer and chicken wings in our crowd).

 

[tennis_pro]

I like the fact that everyone is unique and you can see all the details because there are only 2 men/women the camera is focusing on. It's just not the same in team sports like football/basketball where (to me) everyone plays the same way.

I also like the fact that you're on your own so when you're not good enough there's no-one to save you (even in doubles), every single weakness is exposed.

I play tennis myself as I like to have full control on how the match goes so that there's no-one to blame but yourself when things don't go your way.

 

[Death Master]

it is is greatest sport on planet from my own vantage point.

 

[Death Master]

I like the fact that everyone is unique and you can see all the details because there are only 2 men/women the camera is focusing on. It's just not the same in team sports like football/basketball where (to me) everyone plays the same way.

I also like the fact that you're on your own so when you're not good enough there's no-one to save you (even in doubles), every single weakness is exposed.

I play tennis myself as I like to have full control on how the match goes so that there's no-one to blame but yourself when things don't go your way.

agreed.


that is another unique feature of this sport: one single weakness can be your Achilles heal.


just one single weakness and somebody who is good enough can exploit it to death.


it is very much like a high performance chess game played at break neck speed.

 

[NJLefty]

The chicks, obviously.

Who needs Kate Upton...

... when you can have this:

Rock on.

I was happily enjoying this excellent thread until this turd posted. Turd on, clown.

 

[Silent]

A lot of self - indulgence here so far but why not? It's the unthreatening kind.

I like the fact it's one on one. If you win, it's all you, and if you lose, it's all you too. It makes it very rewarding and humiliating at the same time. The fact it's so hard physically makes it that much more satisfying.

I dislike how doubles tennis is such an after thought at the pro level. It's a shame because the top singles pros could add so much to what tennis is as an entertainment business. I dislike how doubles players are treated like second-rate pros with the super tie-break.

Make the top pros play doubles. Keep the required number of tournaments as is but set a minimum of doubles tournament that have to be played. A high singles ranking could grant a spot in the main draw. With time sponsors will come and purses will go up. Bigger draws too. And score matches the same as singles matches!

 

[Death Master]

what do you mean by "self-indulgence"?


can you elaborate/expound/elucidate?

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

I don't care much for professional tennis, but really enjoy playing/watching the amateur game. It's a great test individual talent and character. And there can be no passengers, unlike in team sports.

 

[Silent]

what do you mean by "self-indulgence"?


can you elaborate/expound/elucidate?

It's nothing mean. I love tennis as well. But there is a little romance in some of these posts, which is fine. We're looking at the sport with love goggles.

For instance, though it is true team sports reduce the importance of every athlete being at their very best all the time, teamwork, being in sync with your teammates can be just as hard. In football, one guy who doesn't do his job for a given play can spell disaster as well. Dan Marino, regarded as one of the best, has never won, because of his team. Jeff Hostetler has. But who would you build your offence around?

I guess we could say winning a team championship is harder because one can't control everything, but tennis is harder on an individual scale., if that makes sense.

It's a question of preference that's all.

I like both, but tennis is more fun to play for me. There is much more freedom in an individual sport than in a team sport, obviously.

I'm just saying, for instance, that football is probably the ultimate team sport and it is just as hard and entertaining as tennis, but in a different way.

 

[jg153040]

My favorite thing about tennis is the fact that it's not over till it's over. There's no clock. You can be down 0-6, 0-6, 0-5, 15-40 and win the match. It's all about who has the right shots, heart, mental state and just who the better man is on the day.
The greats will find ways to turn a match around or win when they aren't playing well. In basketball for example, if the score is 56-83 in the 4th quarter, the game is over and the rest is a formality. Nothing is guaranteed in tennis till the last point.

Yeah this. I think its unique scoring system makes it so exciting for the fan.
Your player can be 5-0 and 40-0 in the fifth set and still you feel nervous and excited. And dynamics of the match change so often.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Tennis allows for freedom of expression and is highly individualistic, more so than the other racket sports because of the clear differences between various court surfaces and general playing conditions such as indoors versus outdoors.

 

[monfed]

A long period of doom n gloom and then suddenly this happens :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9SeKOokG9M


You'd think that would be a one off but amazingly it happens AGAIN in the following year that too in an earlier round :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f1YyGnldJk

So I guess the unpredictability of tennis is what I love the most. :lol:

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

I wish tennis was less behind the scenes though. Almost all interviews conducted with the top players are done in an overly professional environment, so you always see a slight front rather than just the pure essence of the person.

 

[Blitzball]

The excitement of getting new equipment and customizing it precisely to your liking never gets old. And neither does the feel of a cleanly hit forehand passing shot down the line or a smooth backhand slice.

 

[Metalica]

The smell of new balls
The feeling of swinging the racquet
The sound of hitting a well struck shot
The sight of the ball curving through the air with spin
The joy of making you opponent taste defeat
And also I find tennis an amazing spectator sport. Every match is different and there's no limit as to what a player can do on the court.

 

[hunt]

Tennis played well is poetry in motion.

The techniques involved when performed well is beautiful art in motion (think perfectly executed one-handed backhand down the line)

It's as much mental as it is physical.

It's Mano a Mano...there's no hiding in tennis.

 

[Crose]

My favorite thing about tennis is the fact that it's not over till it's over. There's no clock. You can be down 0-6, 0-6, 0-5, 15-40 and win the match. It's all about who has the right shots, heart, mental state and just who the better man is on the day.
The greats will find ways to turn a match around or win when they aren't playing well. In basketball for example, if the score is 56-83 in the 4th quarter, the game is over and the rest is a formality. Nothing is guaranteed in tennis till the last point.

Easy to see why you're a Nadal fan

 

[Matchball]

My time off from tennis feels like a break, I can't live without tennis.

I like how holistic and complicated it can be, but yet again how simple. I like how devil is in the details and how there is always something to improve.

I love the view of a tennis court.

The colors, the sound, the equipment.

I can't get enough of the warm feeling when you strike the ball the way you had projected in your mind some milliseconds ago.

The secret dialogue and discovering you do with your partner. The joy and rewarding feeling you can offer to the people you coach.

The life lessons . . .

I hate how many people perceive it as elitist and how the steep learning curve and the strong egos of some drive others away from a sport that could be so much more popular. I always try to fight against this, even when it feels like a waste of time.

 

[Midaso240]

Just the fact that there's no/very few meaningless matches. Every match,players are playing for money and ranking points. Contrast this to sports like baseball and basketball where there are endless games that don't mean much...

 

[TheTruth]

My favorite thing about tennis is the fact that it's not over till it's over. There's no clock. You can be down 0-6, 0-6, 0-5, 15-40 and win the match. It's all about who has the right shots, heart, mental state and just who the better man is on the day.
The greats will find ways to turn a match around or win when they aren't playing well. In basketball for example, if the score is 56-83 in the 4th quarter, the game is over and the rest is a formality. Nothing is guaranteed in tennis till the last point.

Great post!

 

[TheTruth]

I like the gladiatorial/warrior aspect of it.

it is modern day gladiatorial combat of the highest order that has it all.

each waging war against the other and in the end the best one is left to stand tall.

and the fact that these warriors have to engage in these brutal combats for a full year and year after year for many years allows the world to see and know who really is the best.

it is engaging drama with all the plots and sub plots that unfolds before the eyes of the world for years.

Yep. I enjoy a battle, too.

 

[TheTruth]

Amen. That's why my favorite matchup is Djokodal. It's everything that makes today's tennis explosive. What they push each other to do, all to win titles and be the best is just amazing.

Me, too. It's not about who wins or loses, it's about two guys battling it out to the very last point. It doesn't get any better than that.

 

[TheTruth]

My time off from tennis feels like a break, I can't live without tennis.

I like how holistic and complicated it can be, but yet again how simple. I like how devil is in the details and how there is always something to improve.

I love the view of a tennis court.

The colors, the sound, the equipment.

I can't get enough of the warm feeling when you strike the ball the way you had projected in your mind some milliseconds ago.

The secret dialogue and discovering you do with your partner. The joy and rewarding feeling you can offer to the people you coach.

The life lessons . . .

I hate how many people perceive it as elitist and how the steep learning curve and the strong egos of some drive others away from a sport that could be so much more popular. I always try to fight against this, even when it feels like a waste of time.

I so agree with this. There is a lot to learn from watching tennis.

 

[namelessone]

The fact that it ain't over till it's over.

It's fascinating to see a tennis player unravel five minutes away from victory just like it is to see someone coming back from the brink of defeat.

Tennis really is 90% mental.

 

[Narcissist]

The tension, the pressure and high degree of technical skill. Matches always have ups an down and momentum switches between players. The scoring system is complex but brilliant in how it affects the play.

 

[Wilander Fan]

Its the matchups of style which you can only understand if you were a fan in the 70s and 80s. S&Vers, robotic counterpunchers, aggressive power baseliners...and dramatic surface differences at each GS.