When and How Did Your Favorite Player Become Your Favorite Player?

[The Blond Blur]

Surprisingly when I checked to see if this topic had been discussed before very few threads came close to this specific question. I’ll go ahead and kick things off by saying my favorite player is/was RAFA:

Spoiler: I know what you’re thinking

Like many RAFANS I first saw him play in Miami 04 when he took down Fed when he was unfortunately still trying to pull off the pointy-tail. It wasn’t the best match by any stretch of the imagination, but I was really impressed with his game. Particularly his insane movement, defense, and ability to turn defense into offense seemingly out of nowhere. That and I had always been drawn to counter-punchers since I was never the biggest kid growing up. My favorite players before him were Chang and Hewitt. From that moment on he became one of my favorites and I was really excited to see how his career would progress. At the time though Hewitt was still my favorite player…That all changed after the Rome 05 F. After watching RAFA duke it out with one of the best clay courters in the world for over 5 hours as a still 18 year old kid I was hooked:

With that being said, I’m curious to know how your favorite player became your favorite player

 

[happyandbob]

The first time I saw tiny Henin hit a backhand and start destroying giants

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

Joao Fonseca's practice session with Jannik Sinner at the Nitto ATP Finals 2023.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Joao Fonseca's practice session with Jannik Sinner at the Nitto ATP Finals 2023.

 

[Rafa4GOAT]

I remember I picked Ramos Vinolas in SDL because he was playing some Spanish wildcard I’d never heard of, only to tune in and see this kid hitting winners from all over the court

 

[Rosstour]

Creates a thread about "your favorite player" and in the first sentence takes a dig at Fed. The jokes write themselves

 

[StrongRule]

I accidently saw Nadal's AO 2008 first round match on TV, and was very impressed. Started watching tennis a few months later, from Monte Carlo 2008. Who knows, if they showed a Djokovic match that day... (not really)

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

that's my favorite gif!!

 

[Rosstour]

Are we doing all time fave? Or current fave?

 

[The Blond Blur]

Are we doing all time fave? Or current fave?

Either or, totally up to you. I went with my all time favorite to make it easier, but feel free to do whatever

 

[The Blond Blur]

Creates a thread about "your favorite player" and in the first sentence takes a dig at Fed. The jokes write themselves

How did I take a “dig” at Fed?

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

Are we doing all time fave? Or current fave?

All time fave would be Djokovic at the AO 2011. The kit, the cyberpunk sliding, the impeccable cyborg-like timing on the groundstrokes, the terminator precision, It was like watching a human being from the future. Mind you I was in my early teens back then, so it was a truly life-changing experience.

 

[Connor35]

In 2019, I got back into tennis, was listening to / reading anything I could.

They were talking about Iga on the No Challenges Remaining podcast, and started making it a point to watch her matches on Tennis Channel Plus. Just loved her movement and style. I've always liked good movers.

Then when she really broke through in 2020, it was just a bonus.

 

[Vincent-C]

For me it was Roger Federer narrowly defeating PETE Sampras at WB 2001.
I had seen some highlights from the previous year there but wasn't
super-impressed by them (slow learner). After the '01 match I knew Fed was going places, big time.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Became an Agassi fan when I watched him beating Mronz in Wimbledon 95 because 10 years old me found his pirate outfit cool and it was the first tennis match I watched anyways. Slowly warmed up to Pete watching his 99 matches against Agassi (hated him first because he always beat my Favorite player but over the time fell in love with his beautiful serve and volley). It was however only after his retirement that I became his fan.
I became a Rafter fan around 99 when I saw him against Becker in the R16 of Wimbledon hitting 15 return winners and playing beautiful Serve and Volley. Was always a little a Becker fan due to him being my country’s hero but especially after I saw him live in 2000. Borg’s fan I became pretty late and only after I got more into tennis history and read about his impressing achievements.

 

[Tallawah Tennis]

For me it was Roger Federer narrowly defeating PETE Sampras at WB 2001.
I had seen some highlights from the previous year there but wasn't
super-impressed by them (slow learner). After the '01 match I knew Fed was going places, big time.

Yah man, Roger that. Hook line and sinker for me too, after that. Have admired the skills of many, but dude was it.

 

[msc886]

When Federer’s all-court game started to click, it became awesome to watch.

 

[Third Serve]

Creates a thread about "your favorite player" and in the first sentence takes a dig at Fed. The jokes write themselves

That’s not a dig at Fed lmao

Fed was the most popular player in the world at the time, so him losing to a really young up-and-comer basically put Nadal on the map. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s how a lot of his fans started to know him. No dig necessary.

Edit: I see you meant the hair

 

[Rosstour]

Either or, totally up to you. I went with my all time favorite to make it easier, but feel free to do whatever

Well my all time favorite is Federer but it honestly took me a while to appreciate him. I wasn't watching/following a lot of tennis in college (1999-2003) or afterwards so I didn't really see much of him until I think 2005 USO. Then I realized he was kinda the second coming/evolution of PETE so I paid attention, then liked him for his manners, classic style, etc. and then became a real fan and watched most of his matches from like 2006-end

Current favorite is Shapo, I honestly think he has taken Federer's game to the next level athletically and aesthetically, if not tactically. Better BH IMO

How did I take a “dig” at Fed?

The hair, haha

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal popping out of my screen in 3D looking like a pirate, doing things I still haven't seen done again with a tennis ball. Not to mention beating a guy literally no one else could.

 

[TheAssassin]

2006 Roland Garros. Gonzo, Haas and La Monf sent packing by a skinny kiddo who just broke into the top 50 with that run. A month later he won his first career title.

Light as a feather, yet so explosive with both movement and shots. Occasional doses of chaos, relatable on many occasions. Much like Agassi and Safin (my previous favorites) before him.

He is still around as a geriatric and still not too bad either. Many call him the GOAT nowadays. I agree with that, but I prefer saying the most stunning...

 

[MeatTornado]

Federer was a slow burn for me. As a Roddick fan first, I hated him, but would still root for him over Nadal. As the years passed and Roddick became less relevant, I found myself watching more Fed matches than Roddick ones. And since he was playing Nadal/Djokovic/Murray so often and I didn't like any of them, I was pretty much always rooting for Federer.

It wasn't until about 2012 that it dawned on me that I had accidentally become a full time Federer fan.

 

[StrongRule]

Federer was a slow burn for me. As a Roddick fan first, I hated him, but would still root for him over Nadal. As the years passed and Roddick became less relevant, I found myself watching more Fed matches than Roddick ones. And since he was playing Nadal/Djokovic/Murray so often and I didn't like any of them, I was pretty much always rooting for Federer.

It wasn't until about 2012 that it dawned on me that I had accidentally become a full time Federer fan.

Now tell the story of how you became my fan.

 

[Third Serve]

I always respected Fed’s game but I didn’t start liking Fed that much until he stopped winning basically every tournament around 2010 or so, can’t remember exactly which year it would have been.

 

[Martin J]

The Berlin final in 1990 between Seles and Graf was the first match I vividly remember so became a fan of Monika (a wunderkind from our country, as they called her at that time), she's still, by far, my favorite female player. I was just a kid, but tennis was a very important sport in our home as my dad was a club player.

When it comes to ATP, probably around the same time (a year or two later perhaps), I started following/cheering for guys like Pete, Edberg, Becker...later came Guga, then Fed (and many others, so don't really have a clear favorite).

 

[Martin J]

Now tell the story of how you became my fan.

lol

 

[Vincent-C]

The Berlin final in 1990 between Seles and Graf was the first match I vividly remember so became a fan of Monika (a wunderkind from our country, as they called her at that time), she's still, by far, my favorite female player. I was just a kid, but tennis was a very important sport in our home as my dad was a club player.

When it comes to ATP, probably around the same time (a year or two later perhaps), I started following/cheering for guys like Pete, Edberg, Becker...later came Guga, then Fed (and many others, so don't really have a clear favorite).

Seles was stellar.. I just wish she didn't make that horrid, off-putting noise.

I don't know if there's ever been a better ball-striker.. maybe Segura, or Agassi. Maybe.

 

[MeatTornado]

I always respected Fed’s game but I didn’t start liking Fed that much until he stopped winning basically every tournament around 2010 or so, can’t remember exactly which year it would have been.

TFW you become a fan because he stops winning, but then desperately plead for him to start winning again after so many soul crushing defeats, realizing that you've accidentally created your own hell.

 

[Martin J]

Seles was stellar.. I just wish she didn't make that horrid, off-putting noise.

I don't know if there's ever been a better baller ball-striker.. maybe Segura, or Agassi. Maybe.

The grunt was definitely a bit annoying, lol

 

[dking68]

This person had blistering power from the get go against Karen Khachanov at the USO R1 in 2020, and I knew from that match he was the next big thing on hardcourt. He dominated the Russian in the first 2 sets, then got injured, but lost valiantly in the fifth despite carrying an injury. Was impressed and currently is his fan to date.

 

[StrongRule]

The Berlin final in 1990 between Seles and Graf was the first match I vividly remember so became a fan of Monika (a wunderkind from our country, as they called her at that time), she's still, by far, my favorite female player. I was just a kid, but tennis was a very important sport in our home as my dad was a club player.

When it comes to ATP, probably around the same time (a year or two later perhaps), I started following/cheering for guys like Pete, Edberg, Becker...later came Guga, then Fed (and many others, so don't really have a clear favorite).

So I guess you actually remember the horrible story of Seles getting stabbed?

 

[Martin J]

So I guess you actually remember the horrible story of Seles getting stabbed?

Unfortunately yes. Watched it live and, as you can imagine, it was quite shocking for a 10 year old kid. Thankfully she wasn't seriously injured and moved on after some time.

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

McEnroe in the early 80s. He had something special. His controversies where about line calls, and I'll bet he was right often. Human line calling was error prone. Still is today.

 

[Vincent-C]

McEnroe in the early 80s. He had something special. His controversies where about line calls, and I'll bet he was right often. Human line calling was error prone. Still is today.

Agreed, JMac was magical back then.

 

[StrongRule]

Unfortunately yes. Watched it live and, as you can imagine, it was quite shocking for a 10 year old kid. Thankfully she wasn't seriously injured and moved on after some time.

I think it was a shock for everyone who watched it, no matter the age.

Physically she wasn't that injured, but psychologically she was hurt a lot, as I understand. And of course, her career was completely ruined.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Well my all time favorite is Federer but it honestly took me a while to appreciate him. I wasn't watching/following a lot of tennis in college (1999-2003) or afterwards so I didn't really see much of him until I think 2005 USO. Then I realized he was kinda the second coming/evolution of PETE so I paid attention, then liked him for his manners, classic style, etc. and then became a real fan and watched most of his matches from like 2006-end

Current favorite is Shapo, I honestly think he has taken Federer's game to the next level athletically and aesthetically, if not tactically. Better BH IMO



The hair, haha

Meh, even Fed fans hated the ponytail look

 

[Martin J]

I think it was a shock for everyone who watched it, no matter the age.

Physically she wasn't that injured, but psychologically she was hurt a lot, as I understand. And of course, her career was completely ruined.

That is true. What made the whole thing worse is her father being diagnosed with cancer about the same time, so she had struggled a lot for a year and a half, and by her own admission she just used to travel and overeat. What I meant by "moved on" is the fact that, during the recovery, she explored different aspects of life and realized that there are much important things in life than tennis. And while she never regained the focus and determination during the matches (which is what she was known for before the stabbing), she found a joy in other things. So good for her.

 

[Vincent-C]

Meh, even Fed fans hated the ponytail look

"It's not workin', Rog.."

His manbun was worse, though mercifully short-lived.

 

[Rosstour]

Meh, even Fed fans hated the ponytail look

TBH although I can look back now and say he probably did a decent job with it, at the time it was a reason I didn't immediately take to him. Was young (his age) and more limited in my appreciation for stuff outside my taste

 

[TennisGrandpA]

I accidently saw Nadal's AO 2008 first round match on TV, and was very impressed. Started watching tennis a few months later, from Monte Carlo 2008. Who knows, if they showed a Djokovic match that day... (not really)

lol you were impressed by Rafa’s HC play when he was basically playing clay court tennis on HC and getting destroyed by mugs in HC slams?

 

[TennisGrandpA]

I saw Djokovic playing against Roger in AO and instantly became his fan, before Djokovic I was a Pete fan

 

[Vincent-C]

I saw Djokovic playing against Roger in AO and instantly became his fan, before Djokovic I was a Pete fan

I have heard one other guy go from PETE-fan to Djok, and for the life of me I can't understand it..
nothing personal.

 

[Rally]

First time I actually watched a professional tennis on TV with interest was the year I started playing, 2003. Being an elementary school kid at the time, I only knew that the Wimbledon final was going on because my parents were watching it. I sat down next to them and watched this Australian with an interesting name play against this interesting but not as interestingly named Swiss guy with a hairstyle I found offputting. Naturally I wanted the guy with the more interesting name to win, but I couldn't help but drop my jaw at the level of effortlessness the Swiss guy played with. He went on to win the final, and I didn't hear about him again until he was playing Andy Roddick in the following year's Wimbledon final. This time I had my first full year of lessons under my belt and I could appreciate how much more venomous and lethal the ponytail guy's forehand and volleys were. He was just a stone cold killer who floated on the court and looked like he was inventing shots and strategies on the fly. Roddick had to do everything possible just to keep it from being a total wipeout. That championship match started my RF fandom, and the 2004 US Open beatdown against Hewitt confirmed it. My only regret is that I believed everyone who told me that Roger's Pro Staff 90s were too old and outdated to play with until my first hit with one in 2015. So many wasted years.

 

[StrongRule]

That is true. What made the whole thing worse is her father being diagnosed with cancer about the same time, so she had struggled a lot for a year and a half, and by her own admission she just used to travel and overeat. What I meant by "moved on" is the fact that, during the recovery, she explored different aspects of life and realized that there are much important things in life than tennis. And while she never regained the focus and determination during the matches (which is what she was known for before the stabbing), she found a joy in other things. So good for her.

That's definitely true. Everyone have different goals though. It's of course not a normal situation when you don't get a chance because of some psychopath.

 

[johnmccabe]

Fed on the first sight

 

[TennisGrandpA]

I have heard one other guy go from PETE-fan to Djok, and for the life of me I can't understand it..
nothing personal.

There are many Djokovic-Pete fans , what’s surprising ?

 

[TennisGrandpA]

Unfortunately yes. Watched it live and, as you can imagine, it was quite shocking for a 10 year old kid. Thankfully she wasn't seriously injured and moved on after some time.

i never followed WTA after she was attacked, the biggest case of what could have been.

 

[Rally]

There are many Djokovic-Pete fans , what’s surprising ?

The obvious one is that one is known for tactically grinding from the baseline with a death by thousand papercuts strategy and didn't really feel comfortable at net until his competition was mostly several generations of players that don't know that there is land on the other side of the service line while the other is known for being so good at serve and volley tennis that he made tennis unwatchable for a lot of fans. Feels a bit like oil and water. Just to be clear, this isn't meant as disrespect to either player. I'm just trying to illustrate how many miles apart their style of play are.

 

[TennisGrandpA]

The obvious one is that one is known for tactically grinding from the baseline with a death by thousand papercuts strategy and didn't really feel comfortable at net until his competition was mostly several generations of players that don't know that there is land on the other side of the service line while the other is known for being so good at serve and volley tennis that he made tennis unwatchable for a lot of fans. Feels a bit like oil and water. Just to be clear, this isn't meant as disrespect to either player. I'm just trying to illustrate how many miles apart their style of play are.

Going by your your logic ex Pete fans should simply give up on tennis since this is a baseline era dominated by baseline giants

 

[Rally]

Going by your your logic ex Pete fans should simply give up on tennis since this is a baseline era dominated by baseline giants

In a very reductive push comes to shove way, yeah that's more or less what I thought Pete fans would feel. That being said, I'm assuming people who like Pete do so not because he's American and was the greatest of his era but because of how he played. For people who just like the best winner, it makes sense to be playstyle agnostic. I understand it but personally have a hard time relating to it because I'm more attached to the playstyle and therefore will always support the all courter with a one handed backhand over a defensive baseliner, offensive baseliner, or pure serve and volleyer.