Did you hear that loud thud from people jumping off the bandwagon?
Posted by tennisplanet on March 25, 2008
There’s some serious ‘jumping the ship’ going on as Federer’s ship is slated to sink soon, if it has not already.
Don’t believe it? Just check his site and you will notice the numbers dwindle exponentially.
It’s huge hole he is in now. Three events and three unceremonious knock outs will get you there if you are Federer. With no sign of even a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, the rats are jumping off the ‘destined for the rocks’ ship, in a hurry.
And landing where? You guessed it – Djokovic’s truck.
Nothing succeeds like success – you’ve heard of that, haven’t you? Success has the power to wash away many sins. As they say, all the world loves the winner and has no time for the loser. Public memory is so short that even the most egregious infractions are forgotten and overlooked when you are successful.
There’s nothing new in that. Remember how quickly Sampras was forgotten after his last US Open, or how far back it seems now that Agassi was still on the tour.
The only one who has defied this trend is Ali. Nobody else even comes close.
Claire said
Boy, I hope Federer doesn’t read that article! How depressing it would be for Federer to read at this moment in his career!
Sarah said
I think the opposite is true; there has been an increased in the number of registered members – I still haven’t joined. Most of us, Roger fans, are in shocked; but we know he is having problems on and off the court. We will be patient until he comes back. We know he will! Only, you, TP are burying him. Shame on you! Roger needs our support more than ever.
I think you can be a Novak and Roger fan. It’s probably rare; but I’m sure there are some out there. But I believe most are one or the other – not both! And I don’t think a Roger fan can just go over to the other side (become a Novak fan) – the dark side!
cms said
I’m firmly ON the bandwagon and will be until Fed retires in his thirties.
cragger said
It’s almost like Jay Leno knew Novak was going to win this one.
Anon said
Are you sure you are not one of those folks jumping off the ship? I am pretty clear as to whom I support. I support tennis first and then Roger. Anyone who brings down the grace of tennis will never be on my list. Be it Djokovic or some other vic.
Jill said
TP, you are being very naughty here, there is nothing going on on Roger’s site and the numbers are still increasing. And where oh where is the evidence for fans going over to the Djokovic camp? Shame on you!
If people jump ship now they couldn’t have been true fans in the first place. I, for one, won’t be going anywhere.
Murph said
Claire, I, too, hope Roger doesn’t read TP’s garbage.
Sarah & Crns: Your comments were right on track. I became a registered fan of Roger’s three years ago when the count was around 83,000 and watched the international numbers grow rapidly. Today there are over 160,000, all of whom are dedicated & appreciative supporters. TP, you head the list for jumping ship, & it is so disappointing how quickly you did so, never taking into account how serious Roger’s problems evidently are on & off the court. You avoided giving him credit for being so private & are now Monday-morning quarterbacking to a supposed downfall. Bury your head in shame in that hovel of a basement you live in. It’s so obvious how stagnant your life has become to scratch in desperation for something to write about. Oh yes, I truly doubt if Jay Leno is an expert on anything EXCEPT cars & motorcycles. I’ll now wait for my feathers to unruffle!!!
Jenny said
Interesting post TP. I for one won’t be deserting your ’sinking’ ship. I’ll continue to support Roger until he hangs up his racquet. He’s given me too much pleasure over the years and is deserved of my loyalty, and I’ve never been into the ‘throw away’ mentality. Roger and other players need ‘fair weather’ fans like a hole in the head, and if they want to go off wandering in the desert so be it. I remember Roger in 01/03, the 03 semi with Roddick was a classic with a standing ovation. His tears of joy winning at Wimbledon, he had a lovely boyish charm then, the ponytail, the beaded necklace and the exquisite game, he was happy, he giggled. I know players move on but I’ve never been into this dreadful marketing glitz, talk about gilding the lily. Although I would imagine a speeding train is equally difficult to jump off. Roger says he’s created a monster. IMO, he’s allowed himself to be ‘created’. Rafael at No 2 isn’t so easily swayed, and I think he wisely distances himself from the excess dross, much preferring to fish in Mallorca. I agree, success is addictive, but surely it’s not the be all and end all, and what goes up will inevitably come down or plateau at some point, a bit like shares. We’re all hoping Roger will get his fitness, form and hunger back. Actually Roger and David N. were my joint favs way back when, I’ve had to live with David’s peaks and troughs, but I’m still behind him 100%, same with Fena. IMO other players eg: Fish aren’t there to make up the numbers and are deserved of credit and coverage too.
Fortunately, I’m first and foremost a tennis fan, followed by player preference. I will continue to support my own other ‘boys’, because I like them and their game, different styles to Roger, but when in the zone they have the ability to lift ME, as did Guillermo Coria, so I’m still kinda hoping and sending a little prayer for him too. I watch as many matches as I can, whether Roger is playing or not. I’ve even been known to set the alarm, drag my husband out of bed to watch a live scoreboard in the middle of the night, being a golf fanatic, he isn’t too much into tennis, but is happy to do so when Ferrer is playing, he even shouts at the live score with a ‘WTF, C’mon boy, you can do it, run ‘em down’!
sting said
What are you talking about? On saturday, before the defeat to Fish, there were less than 160′000 members. Now there’s more than 160′500, that’s 500 new members in 3 days!! And you don’t even have to be a member to leave a comment on his guestbook, where most people leave comments. Granted, some comments are harsh but the huge majority are really encouraging ones. That’s the place Fed fans go to feel better but it’s also where the fans go to say they’re disappointed. That’s normal. I’m not planing on leaving that boat anytime soon.
Anand_101 said
I think you’re onto something.
ATP marketing may be the first to jump off. Check out the atptennis.com headlines: “Djokovic Looks to Double Up in Miami”
So far it has been all Federer plus Nadal for clay.
It is going to be so sad for the jumpers when Fed whips Djoker as the season progresses.
Claire said
I’m with you Cms ,hopefully it’s a big “ship” (with tennis courts of course) cuz I think it’s gonna stay full for a long time! I think Federer fans would rather be on a sinking ship rather then ride in the truck with Djokovic, without a tennis court, and Djokovic’s Mom as one of the occupants. Doesn’t sound inviting to me!
Brooke said
I was never on the Federer bandwagon, but I think people who jump off just because he’s losing some matches are awful. He’s a good person who doesn’t deserve that.
Kitty said
My god you are right! There are only 160′472 members left!
And two months ago they were about 156′000! This is a terrible development – I am so worried!
I am sure these 4000 people went to the Joker-Forum.
Eeehm, no, there is something wrong in my reflection… maybe it is the other way around…
nadalfan said
its either fed, nadal, novak, or fed and nadal, there is very rare situations where u have a novak fed or novak nadal fan
Dee said
I am a Roger fan and I am a registered member. Every thing’s in his site is to encourage Roger because we all want him to do well. That is called constructive criticism. I am not a Djokovic fan but I don’t dislike him.I don’t think anyone would jump the ship because of a match.
sceral said
I think TP has done it again – sparked the discussion by pulling on our collective tail and as an added bonus checked our collective temperature. We all know very well, TP wants to be Rog when he grows up and he is not jumping off Fed’s bandwagon . Now there is unfortunatelly some truth to his provocative writing – the sponsors. I don’t think they will forgive Rog any more losses no matter if he is sick or not. We, on the other hand will not desert him no matter what. Don’t be angry with TP – he could not stand complementing us yesterday without teasing us today…
Smox said
Excellent post TP, it was about time someone pointed that out. From what I’ve been lurking at forums and such, and posting from time to time, always trying to maintain well-balanced approach (well, not always, but I’ll be forgiven), I say it is very much obvious.
You see, it is only normal and – somewhat – natural for a fan base of a certain successful athlete to shrink once results are, well, not so successful. Is it Djoker’s bandwagon that is growing? It appears so, but that does not mean much. It only means that Feds huge fan base was so huge because of Fed’s highly marketable character – this advertisement machine, or multilingual “everyman” if you will.
This does not mean that Fed does not have his hardcore fan base, which, I imagine, is significant, and that it will withstand (almost) every following loss.
It would be interesting to know how many of RF.com posters are English speaking, and how many are not. For obvious reasons.
Smox said
Dee, you are sweet as much as you are naive.
GG said
I’ll never jump off the Federer’s bandwagon. I’ll be his fan until I am no longer on this earth. There is NOTHING about Djokovic that would bring me to be his fan even if Fed wasn’t around. I have never liked conceited, blow-hard, self-loving athletes of any variety. Didn’t like Conners or McEnroe because of the extremely low-life behaviour they portrayed on the court. There are very few like Fed and I for one appreciate not only his beautiful tennis game and style but his beautiful behaviour, as well.
Louise said
im a registered member of the fed camp and i will NOT be going to djocko ship thats for sure.
like above they have said no numbers have changed but if they have then they are only “glory supporters” just on there for the glory and because of feds peformance recently they go elsewhere how stupid. i will be a fed fan to the end.
Jenny, Dee and GG from the above wont leave as they are true fans like more people out there.
Dee, im with you on the djocko too.
Dee said
There are and were so many great tennis players. I enjoyed them but never a fan. Federer is the whole package. He is a nice person, friendly, humble —-etc. To be a fan it all counts.I like Roger’s tennis and I like Roger as a person too.
Cloe said
My grateful thanks, dear Roger fans. I too, will never jump off his band wagon. He has given us and tennis something that will be forever remembered, and I too pray that this ‘dip’ is only temporary. After all he is still only 26 and with sickness managed to reach the OA semis. It will a long time until we see such an artist on the court. I will be forever faithful. He needs the support now, more than ever. Come on TP . . . I do however, wish he would consider getting a coach.
Schop said
I completely agree with GG!
Since Tennis IMHO is by far the most demanding sport
Roger Federer is : Tennis, or Sport in general just like
Ali : Boxing
Mozart : Music
Einstein : Physics
etc. etc.
All of them are much more than just Tennisplayers, Boxers, Musicians, Physicists!
And therefore RF’s bandwagon, his forum, keeps increasing day by day with poeple from all over the world! Even if he looses matches!
Go Roger Go.
pls check out/compare/discuss:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills
chieko said
I shall never leave his camp. I shall be there for him until he retires. I shall always be his fan. Signed and sworn by Chieko from Japan. Done deal.