1 player and child prodigy, has three sons who play tennis and other sports. I saw a dad walk on court and smack my opponent with an open hand, right in front of me. People cheat, you get yelled at by other parents. 1 and now a mother of a son and two daughters. "I love the sport, so I want them to learn to play, but I have extreme trepidation about junior competition and tournaments," says Lindsay Davenport, the former No.
David foster roger federer as a religious experience professional#
In this must-read piece by Tom Perrotta, he interviews a number of former players who say they would never want their kids to become professional tennis players."There's a bumper sticker in India, which says, 'Sorry God, I worship Federer,'" said commentator Vijay Amritraj. There have been banners flown reading, "If tennis is a religion then Roger Federer is its God " there are hats that say, "In Roger We Trust." In 2007, a Wimbledon church felt the need to post a signboard message reminding, "God Made Roger Federer." It didn't take. But the most telling part of David Foster Wallace's 2006 essay may be its title, "Federer as Religious Experience," because no other player is so often compared to a deity. Nadal has millions of devotees, and Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have their share. Out of that calculus springs interest, then fandom, and then - for the very rare player - an investment verging on the religious.įederer has been that player for a decade now. Stare at someone long enough, and you can't help but wonder about it all: Parents, religion, fashion sense, politics, tipping. It used to seem odd that the first question asked when people found out I cover tennis was about a player's sex life, but it makes sense. But we fixate on tennis players year-round, for three and four hours at a time, staring as they serve and towel and sit and drink, ponder and frown, cry and look puzzled. Boxers fight a few times a year, for less than an hour. Video: ESPN gives a great look at Sascha Bajin, Serena's "everything" partner - hitting partner, chef, chauffer and sometimes bodyguard.
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If you met him at McDonald's and you didn't know who he was, you'd have no idea he's one of the best athletes in the world." - Andy Roddick "You have to wonder if he's from the same planet.The Daily Bagel is your dose of the interesting reporting, writing and quipping from around the Internet.
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"The metaphysical explanation is that Roger Federer is one of those rare, preternatural athletes who appear to be exempt, at least in part, from certain physical laws." - David Foster Wallace in a 2006 New York Times column headlined 'Federer as Religious Experience'. He doesn't put people down." - US player James Blake "Federer is the most beautiful man to watch play tennis." - US great John McEnroe "The best way to beat him would be to hit him over the head with a racquet." - Australian legend Rod Laver "If I was his coach, what can I tell him? He is a magician with a racquet." - Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic "I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him." - Andy Murray, after losing to Federer in the 2010 Australian Open final. He doesn't intentionally get in anyone's face. That's great to see someone that does it with class. He hasn't been arrogant in the locker room. "Roger can produce tennis shots that should be declared illegal." - Former US great Tracy Austin "I would suggest that his next opponents don't look to me for advice." - Andre Agassi after being beaten by Federer at the 2005 Australian Open. You want to go over and give him a high five sometimes." - Sam Querrey after Federer hit a 'tweener' in their clash at Wimbledon in 2015.
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People from outside of our world talk about it and that's good for our sport." - Rafael Nadal at the 2017 Australian Open "He hits shots that other guys don't hit. or you're Roger Federer." - Former US great Jimmy Connors "I feel that this rivalry is not only in the tennis world. "In the modern game, you're either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist or a hard court specialist. A look at some of the plaudits he has received during his 23 years in the sport where he has won 20 Grand Slam titles and 103 trophies in all: "I threw the kitchen sink at him but he went to the bathroom and got his tub." - Andy Roddick on losing the 2004 Wimbledon final to Federer. PARIS: Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Roger Federer on Sunday celebrates his 40th birthday with his career at a crossroads.