[wannabeartist89]

I've been watching tennis seriously for the past 12-13 years. Loved Federer when he came along for reasons that everyone loves him, his class, composure, style, seemingly effortless style of play, gracefulness etc etc. When Nadal came along, I didn't like him at first but gradually grew to appreciate him and started liking him a bit more than Federer as well.
I agree Nadal's game is definitely nowhere near as 'eye-catching' as Federer's but I think he's a hell of a player, has achieved a lot, changed his game to prove his critics wrong and win all the Grand Slams and has tremendous tenacity, power and like Federer, is extremely humble and respectful towards the game and his fellow players.
So, my point really, is why do people see the need to support either Federer or Nadal? And 'Roger fans' hate 'Rafa fans' and vice-versa. It's almost as bad as supporting football teams. Sure, if there was a match between Nadal and Federer, I would slightly prefer Nadal to win but wouldn't mind if Federer won either. If Federer was playing against any other player, I'd support Federer.
So many of my friends who are 'Roger fans' were ecstatic beyond belief when Nadal lost to Rosol this year. Infact, one of them today, even updated his status as 'Come on Rafa' in an attempt to 'piss Nadal fans off'. I just don't get it.
And also, it's not like the two of them hate each other. They seem to get along just fine, have loads of respect for each other and would have been better friends if not for the language barrier, with Rafa not being very fluent in English and Roger knowing virtually no Spanish.
So yeah, what's the deal here?

[J10]

It's just one of 'those things', really.
Kinda the same as people not liking BOTH Messi & Ronaldo...

[Pheylan]

Nothing to add to the conversation, but your post reminded me of this

[Halogenation]

(Original post by wannabeartist89)
I've been watching tennis seriously for the past 12-13 years. Loved Federer when he came along for reasons that everyone loves him, his class, composure, style, seemingly effortless style of play, gracefulness etc etc. When Nadal came along, I didn't like him at first but gradually grew to appreciate him and started liking him a bit more than Federer as well.
I agree Nadal's game is definitely nowhere near as 'eye-catching' as Federer's but I think he's a hell of a player, has achieved a lot, changed his game to prove his critics wrong and win all the Grand Slams and has tremendous tenacity, power and like Federer, is extremely humble and respectful towards the game and his fellow players.
So, my point really, is why do people see the need to support either Federer or Nadal? And 'Roger fans' hate 'Rafa fans' and vice-versa. It's almost as bad as supporting football teams. Sure, if there was a match between Nadal and Federer, I would slightly prefer Nadal to win but wouldn't mind if Federer won either. If Federer was playing against any other player, I'd support Federer.
So many of my friends who are 'Roger fans' were ecstatic beyond belief when Nadal lost to Rosol this year. Infact, one of them today, even updated his status as 'Come on Rafa' in an attempt to 'piss Nadal fans off'. I just don't get it.
And also, it's not like the two of them hate each other. They seem to get along just fine, have loads of respect for each other and would have been better friends if not for the language barrier, with Rafa not being very fluent in English and Roger knowing virtually no Spanish.
So yeah, what's the deal here?

It seems as if fandom in tennis has been footballised to a certain extent, but you my friend are unaware of such concepts as 'banter'. I'm not saying your traditional approach to being a (tennis) fan is in no way wrong, but you should probably come to the realisation that not everyone in today's world is going to support tennis players in a manner that is parallel to the stereotypical formalities that (ever decreasingly) surround the sport.

[Zerforax]

Because they have come up across each other so often, it usually meant supporting one or the other.

Both are somewhat opposites in their manner too - Federer was seen as more aggressive and going for winners, Nadal being one of the best defensive players in the game.

Federer seen as efficient and gliding around the court, silent and deadly. Nadal more vocal, more passionate and running around like a dog possessed.

Agree with the sentiment, we're blessed with a period of great tennis from the men's side of the game.

[wannabeartist89]

(Original post by Halogenation)
It seems as if fandom in tennis has been footballised to a certain extent, but you my friend are unaware of such concepts as 'banter'. I'm not saying your traditional approach to being a (tennis) fan is in no way wrong, but you should probably come to the realisation that not everyone in today's world is going to support tennis players in a manner that is parallel to the stereotypical formalities that (ever decreasingly) surround the sport.

I appreciate banter but this crosses a line, the kind of stuff I hear and read. Infact, if anything, the 'rivalry' among supporters should have reduced in today's age because the two of them get along so well. I can understand in the days of McEnroe-Lendl or Connors-McEnroe or Sampras-Agassi, you chose one over the other cause they didn't get along well themselves.

[wannabeartist89]

(Original post by Pheylan)
Nothing to add to the conversation, but your post reminded me of this

LOVE this video

[Lunch_Box]

I like both

[wannabeartist89]

(Original post by Zerforax)
Because they have come up across each other so often, it usually meant supporting one or the other.

Both are somewhat opposites in their manner too - Federer was seen as more aggressive and going for winners, Nadal being one of the best defensive players in the game.

Federer seen as efficient and gliding around the court, silent and deadly. Nadal more vocal, more passionate and running around like a dog possessed.

Agree with the sentiment, we're blessed with a period of great tennis from the men's side of the game.

I understand, but why the hate? Eg. I support Nadal, but I'm not happy when Federer loses to some other random player. Sorry if it seems like I'm trying to make myself look like a saint or something cos I'm not, I'm just trying to figure something out here.

[wannabeartist89]

(Original post by Lunch_Box)
I like both

and I like you .No homo

[Bellissima]

federer i prefer to watch his tennis... but i think they are both great players and no way would i turn down tickets to see either of them!

but if it was a match between the two i would support nadal... for the obvious reason

[TheMagicRat]

I like them both. They're both different and both add something to the game.

I think essentially people either loved or hated Federer when he dominated. To those that hated him, Nadal was their saviour. I do think some tennis fans are far too partisan though. It gets crazy levels sometimes.

[Frankster]

(Original post by wannabeartist89)
and I like you .No homo

But I love you. (No homo, either)


HAHA..

but yeah, like the comparison with Ronaldo and Messi... I guess the two players are too different yet too similar (if you get what I mean) so there will always be a gulf of fans between them.

[(:Becca(:]

Nadal is my favourite, but I'd rather see Federer win than Djokovic, and I'd rather see anybody win than Murray. So I wouldn't say I hated Federer.

[Halogenation]

(Original post by wannabeartist89)
I appreciate banter but this crosses a line, the kind of stuff I hear and read. Infact, if anything, the 'rivalry' among supporters should have reduced in today's age because the two of them get along so well. I can understand in the days of McEnroe-Lendl or Connors-McEnroe or Sampras-Agassi, you chose one over the other cause they didn't get along well themselves.

I must admit the only name I recognise is Sampras haha. I get what you mean though, what's the point of choosing one person over the other when they are both good friends? People who support players based on the entertainment and skill they bring to the game are the most positively-beneficial type of fans to have for the sport. I must also conceed that I have nowhere near the passion or interest in tennis compared to yourself, but I do respect your standing. I guess tennis is a sport where there is a clear divide between casual fans and official ones.

[Frankster]

(Original post by (:Becca(:)
and I'd rather see anybody win than Murray.

LOL! I don't understand why people don't like Murray? Not implying that I do, that's beside the question, but I mean he worked his *** off today...

[Frankster]

There are two kinds of fans in any sport: Fans of the sport v Fans of people/team. You get very few fans who are both, which is why I get very irritated by those who only support Murray/Federer/Nadal/Djoker for 2 weeks in a year, whereas they don't realise that there are 3 other slams in the year as well!

[wannabeartist89]

(Original post by Frankster)
LOL! I don't understand why people don't like Murray? Not implying that I do, that's beside the question, but I mean he worked his *** off today...

AND he cried...but yeah on a serious note, he played one of his best tournaments ever. Beating Ferrer, Tsonga and nearly federer in a row is no mean achievement. I honestly think he can win the US Open.

[419]

just as i like ronaldo and messi equally, i like these two as well

i really don't understand why people feel the need to have an alliance; just sit back and appreciate the talents of these two superhumans

[KingMessi]

As a previous poster said, it's just the silly partisanship akin to that of the Messi-Ronaldo 'rivalry'. Do I prefer Messi's style of play and think he's the better player? Yeah. Do I give a sanctimonious smile and nod every time Ronaldo misplaces a pass, or feel happy when he misses a penalty? No.

In the same vein, do I prefer Federer to Nadal? Yeah, slightly. But is it really necessary to dislike Nadal simply to prefer Federer. No. This discussion is especially pertinent in the light of the utter stupidity surrounding Andy Murray today.