who is the best non tennis pro athlete in tennis

[JRoss]

Another vote for Bode Miller—the best skier in the world last year. He coaches tennis at his parent’s tennis camp in New Hampshire in the off-season and was # 1 in the state as a junior (I know, not a big accomplishment). He’s talked about trying the challenger circuit.

 

[mellofelow]

Earnie Els career prize earnings: $36.4 million + 16.million/year endorsement
Agassi- career prize earnings:$31 million + $28 million/year endorsements.

Ok... I spoke too soon. Ernie still has 20+ years in his career. And the economy for golf is exponentially growing... can't say the same for tennis.

 

[andfor]

Ok... I spoke too soon. Ernie still has 20+ years in his career. And the economy for golf is exponentially growing... can't say the same for tennis.

Or then again maybe we can. Does this story sound strangely familier? Despite what used to be, golf is having problems with declining participation over the last few years. It's now golfs turn to see if they can figure out how to stop the bleeding as interest in their game wains.
http://www.golf.com/gdc/news/article.asp?id=22522
http://www.golfweb.com/u/ce/multi/0,1977,2374903,00.html
http://www.golfbusinessmagazine.com/pageview.asp?doc=1285

There's a bunch of more articles just like it. And there are articles to support the opposite, tennis is growing. So tennis fans don't distress when talking about golf v. tennis. Tennis is growing recreationally and attendence numbers are still increasing year over year at the pro events.
http://www.highbeam.com/library/docfree.asp?DOCID=1G1:62237042&ctrlInfo=Round18%3AMode18c%3ADocG%3AResult&ao=
http://cms.ihrsa.org/IHRSA/viewPage.cfm?pageId=1903

 

[Ronaldo]

Mr. Fed, Sergei had a great teacher working closely with him for years.

 

[rlbjr]

John Lucas, ex NBA may not qualify as he was a pro player. Played WTT and tour events.

Steve Largent is a solid 4.5, could have been 5.0 or above if not for politics.
Fred Brown is a decent 4.5

Mathew Perry is AWFULL. As is Paul Sorvino, Dustin Hoffman, and Harrison Ford
People just LOVE to stroke those guys egos and tell them how good they are. Especialy the media.

Grant Goodeve (David Bradford, Eight is Enough) is a decent 4.5

Ernie Els was a good junor in SA until ade 14 or so, when had to choose between tennis and golf. Don't know if he still plays or not.

Lars Ulrichs Dad was a world class player, but haven't heard much about Lars ever playing.

 

[rod99]

i seriously doubt joe dumars is a 5.5 player. i heard clyde drexler plays a lot of tennis as well. phil jackson used to play, and was at the australian open last year to watch.

 

[slice bh compliment]

The great US President George Bush II was supposed to be a 5.0 at one time.

He's my pick as the best tennis player among all world leaders.

I just saw this thread and I ask you....which punchline shoud I use?

a] Actually, he said to a White House press guy, 'Man, I love Hawaii 5.0 -- 'y'know, the one with where they catch that guy at the tennis court? Awww man, I think that was Magnum PI'.

b] Yeah, but Teddy Roosevelt could break a branch off a tree and kick his ass 2 and 2. And he's never gotten a set off his boss Mr. Cheney.

c] 'Born on third base, and he thinks he hit a home run.' Went to tennis camp every summer and now his handlers float the rumor that he was a 5.0?

d] 'Five-O' was what the neighborhood kids called out when he approached -- after all, he is the son of the CIA head.

[rimshot]

 

[slice bh compliment]

Sir Elton

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present the 'understatement of the year' award for 2005.

Elton John is a non-athlete ....

Congratulations! Cheers!

 

[croatian sensation]

who in god's name is bode miller? forgive my ignorance.... shannon elizabeth, i know her. love to play some dubs with her...ya' man!

Umm...he's a skier from USA...and a very good one.Currently probably the best skier in the world (at least he was last season if I remember well)

 

[The Pusher Terminator]

Mathew Perry from Friends!!!!!!!!!!! He was a VERY VERY good junior player. Now he just "plays" with Capriati...... .now thats a real "player"...LOL!!!

 

[davey]

In high school I batted over .500 on JV and when I moved to Varsity pitching, my average fell to below .200 - the big difference was picking up the curve ball. I couldn't recognize and adjust to it in the 60 feet from the pitchers mound. In tennis, I have no problem with kick serves and spins because I can recognize them in advance by the toss and motion. I agree though, major hand/eye coordination in both sports.

I bet you could hit any major league curveball with a tennis racket. Of course, the harder, heavier ball would knock the racket out of your hand or break the frame if you couldn't get it on the strings. It's not so much the speed difference, it's the equipment you are using to hit the ball.

 

[wtaplayerz]

I heard Kirsten Dunst is a pretty good recreational player.

 

[progman_2000]

The great US President George Bush II was supposed to be a 5.0 at one time.

He's my pick as the best tennis player among all world leaders.

Um, great US President? What exactly qualifieds him as great, just out of curiousity? I know I'd love to have him standing across the net from me in doubles when I get a short lob (and I don't even like to play doubles).

 

[slice bh compliment]

Just guessing, but I think his tongue was in his cheek for that one.
Hints/drips of sarcasm:
"great", "was supposed to be" and "at one time".
Then again, maybe he's a big fan.

Anyway, it is a non-issue. Re: US Presidents on a tennis court...I'm pretty sure Teddy Roosevelt overpowers young W 2 and 2 in just over an hour.

Wondering what you cats think....which of today's world leaders can hang? I'm seeing a long line of black SUVs w/ diplomatic plates stretching from the UN all the way out to Queens.

Singles:
Jacques Chirac's swashbuckling and shotmaking takes him all the way to the singles final. Kofi Annan is too tough. Kofi wins it 10-3 in the Match tie break. W pulls out the night before the first round [Boris style] with an injury. He watches wistfully from Crawford.

Dubs:
Nelson Mandela is impressively rangy at the net. He and King Juan Carlos win the final over Dick Pound and Hans Blick.

Benezir Bhutto and Bill Clinton take the mixed.