Why do people here even care about GOAT?

[mcenroefan]

It kind of boggles my mind that people really care about GOAT discussions and here's why:

Before Fed came along, Mac was my favorite player of all time. I couldn't care less that he didn't have the most slams or probably wouldn't be ranked above Sampras or Laver or others in some hyper theoretical GOAT discussion. I just loved the way he played tennis.

When I first started watching Fed, I had the same reaction....I just loved watching the guy play. I hadn't enjoyed watching tennis on this level since Mac retired. Over the years, he accumulated all of the slams and GOAT discussions ensued in the media, etc. I even got sucked into a few of them but have since come to my senses and, I think, matured in my thinking. I certainly understand why the media hypes this stuff but can't understand why posters on a message board would care.

In the end, no matter who ends up with the most slams, I will love watching Fed the most. I really don't care whether he's the GOAT in Wilander's mind or anyone else's mind. To me, his game is the most beautiful one that I've ever seen and nothing will change my opinion.

I'm assuming that Rafa's fans love his game for aesthetic and personal reasons as well.

So why do people even care to engage in the GOAT discussions. In the end, the reasons for loving a player are very personal and subjective so it seems an inane pursuit.

 

[amaze]

Certain fans think that defending their idol's greatness will somehow help to get rid of their personal complexes.

 

[Bryan Swartz]

GOAT isn't just about loving a player's style. People like to debate who is the best/greatest/has the most achievements/etc. That isn't necessarily the same thing as 'I enjoy the way he plays more than anyone else'. They can be and often are different things.

I think GOAT debates are pointless because of era differences, but for people who don't look at it that way ...

I don't react to players the way you do either. There are certain types of players I enjoy watching more than others, but I'm a fan of the game and I think I have roughly equal appreciate for the way Rafa and Fed each play. I like watching players of different styles, rather than simply enjoying one far more than the others because of aesthetic reasons.

Point being, there are all kinds of tennis fans.

 

[Eternally_damned]

What else is there to do in life?

 

[mcenroefan]

GOAT isn't just about loving a player's style. People like to debate who is the best/greatest/has the most achievements/etc. That isn't necessarily the same thing as 'I enjoy the way he plays more than anyone else'. They can be and often are different things.

I think GOAT debates are pointless because of era differences, but for people who don't look at it that way ...

I don't react to players the way you do either. There are certain types of players I enjoy watching more than others, but I'm a fan of the game and I think I have roughly equal appreciate for the way Rafa and Fed each play. I like watching players of different styles, rather than simply enjoying one far more than the others because of aesthetic reasons.

Point being, there are all kinds of tennis fans.

I hear you....I'm a fan of the game as well. I just love interesting and compelling matches....women's matches as well as men.

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

Because they don't care about tennis?

 

[Herdsman76]

OK, I know I've been out of tennis a while until recently. But what the heck does GOAT stand for?

 

[struggle]

I do think Fed has probably the prettiest game of all time (POAT), likely even GOAT. I still don't care much for the guy, but he's worthy of all the talk to be sure.

edit: oops, thread drift. btw, i don't really give a ratsass either. loved Mac too.

 

[struggle]

OK, I know I've been out of tennis a while until recently. But what the heck does GOAT stand for?

greatest ever

 

[Joe Pike]

greatest ever

That would be GE.

 

[zasr4325]

Because they don't care about tennis?

This is your answer. On these forums, it seems as if there are two types of people. Those who love tennis, and those who love ....(insert player name here). The latter love their idol above all else, and there seems to be little they can do wrong. Most of them don't really know anything about tennis outside of their player, and woe betide anyone who disagrees with them, or criticises the player. Fanboys/girls is all they are

 

[[Z]engin]

Because it's the best meat there is.

 

[Underhand]

Because it's the best meat there is.

What about GOAT cheese?

 

[[Z]engin]

I prefer yellow cheese made from cow's milk.

 

[eleventeenth street]

because people on the internet need something to argue about, insult each other over, or stroke their ego with. and because the debate occasionally yields sillyness like this http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/at-the-bar-with-roger-federer-6-23-10/1235731

"rafael nadal, my biggest competition is a gentleman off the court as well as a best friend of mine but on the court i crush him like a piece of garbage...i'd like to see him get hit by the bus...and then the bus would go in reverse and back over his body so that all is left is a pool of blood and a head band" haha

 

[ruerooo]

So why do people even care to engage in the GOAT discussions.

Reverse projection.

 

[ruerooo]

Conflict is key for a good story,

Yes.

and for a good forum.

Not so much.
:???:



Your experience is not everyone's experience.

 

[ttwarrior1]

if lendl would of won wimbeldon he would be the top goat , but just my opinion

 

[MichaelNadal]

It kind of boggles my mind that people really care about GOAT discussions and here's why:

Before Fed came along, Mac was my favorite player of all time. I couldn't care less that he didn't have the most slams or probably wouldn't be ranked above Sampras or Laver or others in some hyper theoretical GOAT discussion. I just loved the way he played tennis.

When I first started watching Fed, I had the same reaction....I just loved watching the guy play. I hadn't enjoyed watching tennis on this level since Mac retired. Over the years, he accumulated all of the slams and GOAT discussions ensued in the media, etc. I even got sucked into a few of them but have since come to my senses and, I think, matured in my thinking. I certainly understand why the media hypes this stuff but can't understand why posters on a message board would care.

In the end, no matter who ends up with the most slams, I will love watching Fed the most. I really don't care whether he's the GOAT in Wilander's mind or anyone else's mind. To me, his game is the most beautiful one that I've ever seen and nothing will change my opinion.

I'm assuming that Rafa's fans love his game for aesthetic and personal reasons as well.

So why do people even care to engage in the GOAT discussions. In the end, the reasons for loving a player are very personal and subjective so it seems an inane pursuit.

You hit the nail on the head. Who cares? Right now IMO it's Federer but im always going to prefer Nadal, Djokovic and Roddick to him.