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TennisandMusic
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Because losers in life love to live vicariously through winners. Of course that's true of every sport, which is why you get fat slobs wearing player jerseys and referring to team victories as "we did it."
Yup, and there a BILLION people just like me. So deal with it!Y
Translation: I root for federer because he uses a 90in racquet and has a one handed backhand. I play with a 90in and a antique one handed backhand so federer is my hero. Just like johnny mac was..
You mean Gillette.Why not?? We all have our reasons. Hell I know of people who have no clue what tennis is all about, but they root for Federer. Why? Maybe they like his Schick commercials. There doesn't have to be a rhyme or reason why someone roots for someone.
Because losers in life love to live vicariously through winners. Of course that's true of every sport, which is why you get fat slobs wearing player jerseys and referring to team victories as "we did it."
Because losers in life love to live vicariously through winners. Of course that's true of every sport, which is why you get fat slobs wearing player jerseys and referring to team victories as "we did it."
Tennis players, like us on these boards, like him because he plays aggressive tennis. Aggressive one handed backhand players seem to get quite the following.
Casual fans of the sport just like champions who dominate the game. Look at the Lakers, everyone likes Kobe and roots for him to win because he has the ability to completely take over a game and make those WTF shots. Federer does the same thing.
Because it's the easiest choice. He's the most accomplished player, so if you support him you are going to be happy every time he wins a tournament.
No, it doesn't. The OP said people root for the underdog EXCEPT when it comes to Federer.Funny how that goes against the research the OP talks about.
No, it doesn't. The OP said people root for the underdog EXCEPT when it comes to Federer.
I read an article recently about why sports fans tend to root for the underdog, and the various scientific and psychological explanations for this human trait. However, quite surprisingly, most tennis fans both die-hard and casual appear to root for Federer. And I wonder why is that.
I'd say that of all the people I've met, both online and especially in real life, about 75-85% of them root for Federer against Nadal (and the rest of the ATP). These people tend to define Federer as "classy," "fluid" and "versatile." I wonder if there's more to it than that, or if Federer's losses to Nadal have made him an underdog (which in my case is somewhat true, I rooted for Nadal all the way until the 2008 clay season, changing my loyalties midway through that Spring).
Ugly people have had to deal with rudeness while beautiful people have not since the beginning of time. That's just the way it is. That's why the cosmetics, plastic surgery, beauty enhancement, weight loss, and fashion industries are multi-billion dollar industries. Sorry that the real world doesn't agree with you.It is quite pathetic that breakpoint considers it ok for the french fans to be rude towards nadal because he doesnt have a "beautiful style" like federer. Truly pathetic.
It is quite pathetic that breakpoint considers it ok for the french fans to be rude towards nadal because he doesnt have a "beautiful style" like federer. Truly pathetic.
However, quite surprisingly, most tennis fans both die-hard and casual appear to root for Federer. And I wonder why is that.
Ugly people have had to deal with rudeness while beautiful people have not since the beginning of time. That's just the way it is. That's why the cosmetics, plastic surgery, beauty enhancement, weight loss, and fashion industries are multi-billion dollar industries. Sorry that the real world doesn't agree with you.
Yes, we're talking about their games. And if you did a poll of which player's game is more beautiful, you'll find the great, great majority will choose Federer. That's just a fact. You can poll the entire planet and more people will agree that Federer' game is more beautiful than Nadal's by a huge margin. Nadal's game is one of the ugliest I have ever seen in my 4 decades of watching pro tennis.Oh My.... Oh My God....Do you realize what you are saying? Look at Federer. And then look at Rafa.Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, I know. But still...
But you are talking about the game, right? You would be surprised, but many people find Rafa's game very beautiful to watch. And incredibly exciting. Just like the man himself.
Rafa is not popular for you? Safin doesn't agree with you. He said a few days ago how valuable Nadal is to the game because he's immensely popular, the most popular player on tour. The rock star of the Olympics was not Federer either.
Federer has his acomplishments, but charisma is on Rafa's side, man.![]()
Exactly! And that's the same reason people DON'T root for Nadal. In fact, the French boo him for that same reason.
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.I disagree with you BP. I don't like Nadal's game either but he's got TONS of fans around the world (maybe not as much as Fed but still a lot). In fact, I've noticed that casual sports fans who just watch the Fed/Nadal finals and nothing more tend to like Nadal's game more than Roger's. They appreciate the fact he can run down every ball and hit a winner of it, and I understand them, there is A LOT to appreciate in Nadal's game. Not my personal cup of tea, but many like it and will continue to like it.
I disagree with you BP. I don't like Nadal's game either but he's got TONS of fans around the world (maybe not as much as Fed but still a lot). In fact, I've noticed that casual sports fans who just watch the Fed/Nadal finals and nothing more tend to like Nadal's game more than Roger's. They appreciate the fact he can run down every ball and hit a winner of it, and I understand them, there is A LOT to appreciate in Nadal's game. Not my personal cup of tea, but many like it and will continue to like it.
You have answered your own question. It's because against king Nadal, even Federer is an underdog.
I've said this on my first post here at this forum and I'll say it again.
I watched tennis as little kid during early 90s-early 2000s. Then I stopped because of various reasons (moved to US for college, new friends, falling in love with soccer, work, etc etc). I might watched the women tennis here and there, but I was totally blind about tennis in general. I didn't even know who was the #1 or who won what.
Then on one Sunday in 2007, I found live French Open final on tv. I watched it just because I had nothing else to do, no expectation or no idea who Federer or Nadal was.
And eventhough Federer lost that final to Nadal, I totally fell in love with his game. He was graceful, he made crazy shots, he played beautiful games & made everything looked so effortless. And after that, I watched him during Wimbledon 2008. I fell in love deeper. And since that point on, I pretty much followed every single news about him & about tennis. I'm a tennis addict again.
When I found out he speaks 4 languages fluently, he has no coach and he is still with his long-term (then) non-supermodel girlfriend, all of that just made me like him more. Makes him more perfect in my eyes. And though people thinks he's a bit arrogant, he said what he thinks as it is. He also has that dorky-kind sense of humorHe has no weird habits (butt-picking, grunting, etc etc). He showed he is human after all after his loss in AO 09. Then he showed us that he's a true champion after all by winning more GS when people already wrote him off.
So, I can say for sure, if I never watch that 07 French Open final, I would never be here and I would still totally blind about the tennis world. Federer made me come back to the "right way" againI owe it to him.
I still cursed at myself for not watching tennis sooner. If only I could watched him during his peak years, it'd be more awesome. But better late than never, eh?
It's because of how he handles himself inside the courts(outside, most of them talk and behave like angels). He has none of the annoying habits many others do. He comes closest to a perfect player.
He doesnt open his mouth and scream like primates. He doesnt cheer his opponents mistakes, there is no fist and leg combo pumps. He never retires, rarely ever a trainer time out, no time wasting, minimal ball bouncing and towel offs, no cursing when he misses, no look at his box for assurance or guidance let alone conversations, no stare downs, no rituals, no silly superstitiousness, no grunting over each shot....
And yet, he has the best of records...
How can you not like such a player.
Sadly, even on a tennis forum you are in a sort of minority in the midst of the screaming Nadal fans running around your knees calling you names, lol, ...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.![]()
It's because of how he handles himself inside the courts(outside, most of them talk and behave like angels). He has none of the annoying habits many others do. He comes closest to a perfect player.
He doesnt open his mouth and scream like primates. He doesnt cheer his opponents mistakes, there is no fist and leg combo pumps. He never retires, rarely ever a trainer time out, no time wasting, minimal ball bouncing and towel offs, no cursing when he misses, no look at his box for assurance or guidance let alone conversations, no stare downs, no rituals, no silly superstitiousness, no grunting over each shot....
And yet, he has the best of records...
How can you not like such a player.
I disagree with you BP. I don't like Nadal's game either but he's got TONS of fans around the world (maybe not as much as Fed but still a lot). In fact, I've noticed that casual sports fans who just watch the Fed/Nadal finals and nothing more tend to like Nadal's game more than Roger's. They appreciate the fact he can run down every ball and hit a winner of it, and I understand them, there is A LOT to appreciate in Nadal's game. Not my personal cup of tea, but many like it and will continue to like it.
That's because Federer is everything that Nadal is NOT!sounds like you like Federer.. because you hate Nadal :shock:
He doesnt cheer his opponents mistakes