What is it that makes Federer such a truly heroic figure in sport?

  • Thread starter Deleted member 743561
  • Start date
D

Deleted member 743561

Guest
In a nutshell, it's the glorious amalgamation of form and function that renders his legend impervious to the dual incursions of mass marketing and statistical inflation.

Without such a figure rooting the game in a tradition of innovation and overall excellence, we'd be left hollow-eyed, starving for artistic expression.

Of any order.

Let alone the very highest.

Let's hear it for the man whose name has become synonymous with tennis itself! (y):giggle:

cau8dv17et7x.jpg


tennis2019def.png
 
CYGS

CYGS

Legend
FedFosterWallace said:
In a nutshell, it's the glorious amalgamation of form and function that renders his legend impervious to the dual incursions of mass marketing and statistical inflation.

Without such a figure rooting the game in a tradition of innovation and overall excellence, we'd be left hollow-eyed, starving for artistic expression.

Of any order.

Let alone the very highest.

Let's hear it for the man whose name has become synonymous with tennis itself! (y):giggle:

cau8dv17et7x.jpg


tennis2019def.png
Click to expand...
Nothing.
 
P

PETEhammer

Guest
I think you're confusing beauty, wonder, and awe with heroism. I believe players like Federer, McEnroe, Rios to an extent, Mecir and Edberg embody the former traits. Heroism is something altogether different that I associate with heart, perseverance, mental fortitude, inner fire and a refusal to give up in the face of insurmountable odds. A general willingness to roll up your sleeves and work hard, even if it ain't pretty or fun. I have never seen Federer as one who embodies the latter traits, I see that as more the territory of PETE, resurgent Agassi, Nole, Rafa, Lendl and others.

I would say "inspiration" is the middle of the Venn Diagram where both players' qualities intersect, since the heroes obviously inspire us as much as the artists, if not more, but in different ways. Both inspire us to improve aspects of ourselves, but the heroes make us better people overall. In my humble opinion.
 
T

tennis tom

Legend
Thriller said:
That's heroic? He plays nice tennis quietly?
Click to expand...
Yah, tennis is not a "heroic" endeavor--it's the classical music of sports. Not much danger of dying on a tennis court or saving the planet. Linespeople face some danger but automated line calling will remove that danger. Sitting in the front row and holding a wineglass while John Isner is serving may also be dangerous.
 
Last edited:
D

Deleted member 743561

Guest
PETEhammer said:
I think you're confusing beauty, wonder, and awe with heroism. I believe players like Federer, McEnroe, Rios to an extent, Mecir and Edberg embody the former traits. Heroism is something altogether different that I associate with heart, perseverance, mental fortitude, inner fire and a refusal to give up in the face of insurmountable odds. A general willingness to roll up your sleeves and work hard, even if it ain't pretty or fun. I have never seen Federer as one who embodies the latter traits, I see that as more the territory of PETE, resurgent Agassi, Nole, Rafa, Lendl and others.

I would say "inspiration" is the middle of the Venn Diagram where both players' qualities intersect, since the heroes obviously inspire us as much as the artists, if not more, but in different ways. Both inspire us to improve aspects of ourselves, but the heroes make us better people overall. In my humble opinion.
Click to expand...
"Heroism" in sport always needs to be contextualized.

Believe me: The distinction is not lost on me.

But... sports site. So.
 
maratha_warrior

maratha_warrior

Hall of Fame
steenkash said:
He appeals to the bourgeois upper-class patrons of the game. A lot of people who watch tennis, either belong in that class or want to be a part of that class. People don't like a Balkan warrior from a war-torn country or a Scotsman with grit and determination.
Click to expand...

I belong to a tribal community from india . And I like Djokovic .
Maybe your words carry weight . (y)
 
octobrina10

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
P

PETEhammer

Guest
tennis tom said:
Yah, tennis is not a "heroic" endeavor--it's the classical music of sports. Not much danger of dying on a tennis court or saving the planet. Linespeople face some danger but automated line calling will remove that danger. Sitting in the front row and holding a wineglass while John Isner is serving may also be dangerous.
Click to expand...
Also an individual sport v a team sport, hence players like Messi being more heroic imo. The thought of Ali came to mind, but I think he was heroic for more than his athletic performance, but also a culture icon and symbol of hope for his people.
 
N

Nole_King

Hall of Fame
I dont think it has been ever about heroism as far as Federer was/is concerned. IMHO, Nadal and Djokovic can be associated with that word more than Fed. Like few other posters said, I think it is all about his playing style that people went drooling over. None of his shots look awkard one bit and it seems his poise for each and every stroke can be used as a silhouette in how to play tennis handbook. His play got admirers from the older generation because he looked every classical bit while the younger generation got sucked into his domination and the clear head and shoulders above talent he displayed. To add that an impeccable PR team plus his carrying himself well on and off court and no surprise his popularity went through the roof.
 
Gary Duane

Gary Duane

G.O.A.T.
FedFosterWallace said:
In a nutshell, it's the glorious amalgamation of form and function that renders his legend impervious to the dual incursions of mass marketing and statistical inflation.

Without such a figure rooting the game in a tradition of innovation and overall excellence, we'd be left hollow-eyed, starving for artistic expression.

Of any order.

Let alone the very highest.

Let's hear it for the man whose name has become synonymous with tennis itself! (y):giggle:

cau8dv17et7x.jpg


tennis2019def.png
Click to expand...
Think about a tennis player becoming a "heroic figure" and what that says about the world.
 
Hitman

Hitman

Bionic Poster
FedFosterWallace said:
In a nutshell, it's the glorious amalgamation of form and function that renders his legend impervious to the dual incursions of mass marketing and statistical inflation.

Without such a figure rooting the game in a tradition of innovation and overall excellence, we'd be left hollow-eyed, starving for artistic expression.

Of any order.

Let alone the very highest.

Let's hear it for the man whose name has become synonymous with tennis itself! (y):giggle:

cau8dv17et7x.jpg


tennis2019def.png
Click to expand...

That is an amazing photo.
 
N

Nole_King

Hall of Fame
CYGS said:
Majority does not equal being right, or quantity does not equal quality.
Click to expand...

If majority of people consider something quality it should not bother you because you are not being forced into something. It is not like a democratically elected government. If majority considers Federer great it has no affect on my choice of favorite player simply because I like seeing someone more than other.
 
Djokovic_is_the_best#1

Djokovic_is_the_best#1

Bionic Poster
PeoplesChamp said:
Transcends the sport for sure. Something the other two will never be able to say.
Click to expand...
I hear that’s all you gonna go on about now. Now you worried he’s gonna get past by djokodal. No one cares about any of that. It’s about the records and you know it.

Plus I personally find him the most boring to watch out of the big 3. Just my view.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top