mandy01
G.O.A.T.
That's pretty much all there is to it,really.We like arrogant people.
Why do people root for Federer?
- Thread starter illkhiboy
- Start date
P_Agony
Banned
The key words are "the casual fan", meaning people who don't really understand tennis. It's harder for people who don't understand tennis to appreciate how hard it is for Federer to make the game look so effortless and easy. They think anyone can go out on a tennis court and do what he does and hit the same shots that he does. All they see is Nadal working hard and think he's putting in a lot of effort. In fact, many of the biggest *********s on this board don't even play tennis. I'm sure I don't need to name names. ;-) I guess that's why a lot of people who don't understand tennis and a lot of kids who haven't played tennis for very long like Nadal. But the people who really understand tennis and the real tennis experts and pundits will always choose Federer.
Fair enough, but still, it proves my point that the usual casual fan will prefer Nadal's game over Roger's. I'll give you an example from WWE - when a causal watcher watches the show for one time, he won't appreciate the talent of guys like HBK for example, he will root for the guy with the muscle ala John Cena, who is probably the least talented wrestler ever.
The thing is, even most kids who plat tennis try to hit their FH like Rafa and have 2HBH as well. Roger's game is fading away from the world, not Rafa's. I won't be surprised if in a few years Rafa's fanbase will surpass Roger's fanbase.
Oh, and even Goodall and Koenig are Rafa fans.
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I root for Federer because both he and I are from Switzerland and he grew up pretty close to the area I grew up in Switzerland. Ever since about 2000 I've watched him progress and I think its amazing to see how much he has accomplished. Plus its good to see a dominant Swiss athlete in something not related to winter sports.
reversef
Hall of Fame
That Federer has a more classical beautiful game is a fact. Don't underestimate the attractiveness of Nadal's game though.
And for charisma, well...... You 're blind, man.
reversef
Hall of Fame
The key words are "the casual fan", meaning people who don't really understand tennis. It's harder for people who don't understand tennis to appreciate how hard it is for Federer to make the game look so effortless and easy. They think anyone can go out on a tennis court and do what he does and hit the same shots that he does. All they see is Nadal working hard and think he's putting in a lot of effort. In fact, many of the biggest *********s on this board don't even play tennis. I'm sure I don't need to name names. ;-) I guess that's why a lot of people who don't understand tennis and a lot of kids who haven't played tennis for very long like Nadal. But the people who really understand tennis and the real tennis experts and pundits will always choose Federer.
My grandmother doesn't know the difference between a forehand and a backhand, but she immediately chose Federer. Children around me, without knowing anything in tennis, immediately pick up Nadal. Always the same thing: older people who didn't know anything in tennis prefered Sampras, younger people who didn't know the game were into Agassi.
Saying that Nadal's fans are people who don't know anything about tennis is completely stupid. Some pros like Roddick or Murray say he's their favourite player to watch. Don't they know anything about tennis? Neither does Serena Williams? What is true is that Federer's game will always appeal to more tennis fans because there are many things to like for everyone. Nadal's game is more extreme, so basically you love it or you hate it. I've never been into easy tennis, short points, big serves.... Not my stuff. There are still many things that I like in Federer's game. If what you want to watch is SV, there is nothing for you in Nadal's game. But just try to imagine what he can represent for people with different tastes than yours (along the years, I supported at different degrees Wilander, Carlsson, Perez-Roldan, Courier, Bruguera, Rios, Coria). Nadal is simply the best one and the most exciting one. It may be surprising for you, but some people don't find a lot of fun at watching a player hit 50 aces in a match.
reversef
Hall of Fame
When year after year after year, you insulted players who spoil the game with their big serve, and you got so mad that at some point, you decided to boycott the men's tennis outside of clay. Big server > Black list
When you can't feel any affection for someone who is not modest and self-depreciative. It comes from the upbringing, I guess.
When you find the player cold as an iceberg (I had the same problem with Lendl and Sampras). It's not very exciting. Unless you have the good looks to go with it, but he's not Borg.
But Federer is still ok. Add *******s like you and I start to have bad feelings for him!
jonnythan
Professional
In my experience, casual fans are fans of Federer and only barely know who Nadal is.
Wrestling is not tennis, by the way.
ChoketascoGOAT LOL!
Banned
ppl root for federer because they can.let them.
asafi2
Rookie
People root for Federer for the same reasons they cheered for Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Pele, Muhammad Ali. When you are watching a player that, in most analysts' minds, is the greatest of all-time you tend to root for them. People like those mentioned earlier don't come around very often..if ever again.
D
Deleted member 77403
Guest
I couldn't agree with you more. HBK is one of the greatest wrestler's ever, and my favorite. I've seen him live at the past four Wrestle Manias, sadly that includes the one where he had to carry Cena.
Cena has like four moves, but I heard kids lose their voice at some of the shows after shouting his name more times than they have said their own name. Just had to rant on that!
FedExpress117
Rookie
He's an underdog on clay.. (10-2 record on clay for Nadal in a 14-7 overall head to head)
moshi2
Rookie
Hey moshi
Thats a really sweet story. I used to follow tennis since 1980 or so, first on radio (in India) then telly -- they only showed WO finals, then semis and slowly a little more.
In the 90's, i lost interest ... but in 2004 i accidentally saw Federer playing on telly (while at a friends place) and I was hooked, since then I've followed tennis and his matches carefully, resumed playing tennis myself, and of course trolling this forum
Feddy brought me back to tennis and I'll certainly love it for life.
Hi Sentinel,
Guess we are alike, aren't we? I'm sure there are plenty more people like us out there.
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