Did Federer choose the wrong sport?
Posted by tennisplanet on November 6, 2009
I mean given the fanaticism on soccer world over, if Federer had achieved half of what he has done in tennis he would have been an icon far surpassing Maradona and other clowns. He could have been close to Pele or even Ali, don’t you think!!!!!
Guy is freaking ’standing alone’ at what 80 freaking percent on those records. And all that with ‘no visible mark on his face’ – like Ali used to say. The wear and tear on that hectic activity just fails to show up year after year when others with not even half of that motion are crumbling all around him.
That’s not even considering the grace and ‘making it look easy’ BS.
While it’s impossible to predict how he would have done at other more popular sports, it’s safe to say that mediocrity wasn’t happening.
But then you look at Tiger Woods and see how he has single-handedly transformed a truly boring board game into an international phenomenon so much so that in his absence the rating plummet deplorably.
So what’s Federer lacking to match Tiger in worldwide appeal? Or is it just the US media to blame for hyping their local boy? Could Federer have achieved the same draw if he switched places with Woods, as a Swiss citizen?
Or Tiger so far above everyone today that he transcends all and everything pushing Federer to second place?
But if Federer had taken up soccer, there appears a strong probability that he would have overtaken Woods and become at least the most dominating sportsman of his generation, if not of all time.
bento said
Definitely yes. And if we wonder what would have happened had he chosen the right one, we might find out it’s disgraceful.
Jenny said
TP says: But then you look at Tiger Woods and see how he has single-handedly transformed a truly boring board game into an international phenomenon so much so that in his absence the rating plummet deplorably.
No disrespect to Tiger, but I don’t think Jack Nicklaus and other great pro golfers would agree.
chipnputt said
Ah, TP needs to be kinder to golf. It may be boring to watch for the uninitiated, but it’s fantastic to play.
On your comment, Jenny: One can debate whether Tiger is as great as Nicklaus was, but there is no doubt he has brought a lot of people into the sport. Much more than anybody else. Before Tiger, golf was largely an exclusive sport played by rich, white men in country clubs. Tiger changed that — a lot more minorities play golf today and game has become more international. There are close to 300 courses in China now and over a million players. 15 years ago, the numbers were insignificant. With such growth, the money in it has skyrocketed. In fact, Nicklaus and Palmer have made more money from golf after they retired than when they played it. Tiger has had a big role to play in this and its shows in his bank balance — first billionaire athlete ever.
Jenny said
Thanks for your interesting comment, Chipnputt. I’m also glad Tiger has brought the game to the minorities. I know virtually zilch about the game, I just have to sit and listen to the awful jokes! My comment came from my husband’s perspective more than from my own which is why I left it short. He used to play at a high amateur level, and competition, not so much now. He doesn’t, and never did go to one of those ‘exclusive’ clubs which we do have here, lol can’t afford it! Here in the UK, golf has always been popular with public courses, he and his friends go off to the The Algarve for an all-men golf holiday, not for me, I’d rather watch tennis! I would imagine they spend most of the time in the clubhouse if you get my drift! Nicklaus was, and still is his idol, it’s hard for him to let go, he travelled up to Scotland to say ‘goodbye’ to him, miles away, he didn’t get to meet the Golden Bear, but he wanted to be there. As a European, players like Ballesteros and Faldo also featured highly to him.
chipnputt said
All great players — Faldo was amazingly consistent, and Seve had amazing shotmaking ability. Nicklaus can be likened to Laver — a legend, a thorough gentleman, and arguably the greatest ever. Tiger and Nicklaus have tremendous mutual respect.
Alex said
maybe in individual talent he’d be a great footballer.
but not the best
he’d probably be the example of Johan Cruyff (amongst others)
he was class, but is not considered the greatest
why?
because he never won a world cup…
and i doubt Switzerland would ever (even with Federer)
Maradona
Zidane
Pele
Federer would have to amount to THEM
Sergeant said
From which we conclude he chose the right sport.
TheHumbleOne said
I always thought the dude would have made an excellent Curler…
Or a world-class Miniature Golfer…
serene said
Well imagine tennis without Federer and you’ll have to admit that he DID choose the correct sport. Soccer is as soccer does, with its Ronaldos, Kakas, Zidanes etc. Great players come and go through the years. Tennis only has a handful that make it to Legend status, and Federer has the immense tennis-specific talent that helped propel him to Legend status that many of the greats don’t even have.
Sure, Federer has superb athleticism, good spatial abilities, stamina etc which would have led him to be a good athlete in many sports – but how many athletes have that tennis-specific ability and in such a great amount at that? I do believe that he would have been a very solid, but not leading athlete in other sports. From which we conclude he chose the correct sport not only based on the “amount of domination” he has produced so far, but also on the “amount of fame” that his tennis-specific abilities have taken thus far in this field.
Pommesdesuisse said
First of all: it’s completely ridiculous to put Pélé above Maradona!!! That’s just like putting some Tennis Player above Federer!!!!!!
Tiger above Federer??!!!!
Are you aware that there are some countries on this planet not called the US of A???!!!!
Did you forget your medication or what?!!! To put some Mini-Golf Player above the GOAT!!!!!
but seriously, you cannot be serious????!!!!!!!!!
chipnputt said
Tiger just became the first billionaire athlete — this mini golf stuff must be fooling a lot of people.
Pommesdesuisse said
Indeed…
I know, I know… I was just kinda kidding. Tiger is enormous. But above Federer?! Because he made more money?! Because Golf is more popular than Tennis?????!!!!!! That’s like saying Dodge (does anyone in the US not know what a Dodge is?!) is more popular than Ferrari!!!!!
Tiger became a pro in 1996. In 1997 he won his first Major, The Masters. Today he has 14. So he made 14 Majors in 12 Years, from 1997 – 2009 (just like Sampras). I could say He made it in 10 years, his 14th was in 2007. But then again I wouldn’t, because most probably he won’t finish at 14, cause he’s gonna have ANOTHER 20 FREAKING YEARS to go!!!!!! There are 50 Million Golfplayers, worldwide, so obviously it’s NOT just an american Sport. I couldn’t find the number for Tennis-Players worldwide, but it can’t be much under 50 Million. Maybe even more? In Switzerland we have about 300′000…
Anyways…
monique said
They call Tiger Woods an athlete but he is not, he is a golfer or a man who is good at playing golf, enormous difference.. You do not have to be an athlete to play golf but to play tennis, you have to be one and a good one at that.
Jenny said
Love Tiger and all he has achieved, he’s a great sportsman and role model and he has to work on his fitness. However, I agree with Monique here. My husband can go straight to dinner in a restaurant after a playing a round without changing his clothes, maybe the shoes. I can’t imagine tennis players and other athletes doing that without a shower and a change of clothing.