compared to how he is in the rest of the world
2006-10-31 14:40:48 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Tennis
Wow, some of the previous answers are pretty brutal about us Americans. It's tough to read through some of the answers about us(that we are arrogant and think we are the best etc.). Anyway here is what I can tell you about Federer's popularity from the perspective of a U.S. tennis fan, since I am one.
1. First things first, unlike a few of the other answers I will say that he is not disliked. It's pretty much accepted that he is the best, and one of the best ever. That being said we live in the land of the long ball, the crushing tackle, the hail mary pass and the last second basket. The way that Federer wins with ease means that his matches usually lack any tension or drama, and Americans love drama in sports.
2. We root for the home team. Who doesn't? We have a pretty good history in the sport and like to root for people that come from places that we know. Some people claim that we're being arrogant, I don't think that's arrogance. Is it arrogance for an Englishman to root for England in the world cup? So when push comes to shove we'll root for Andy Roddick to beat Federer, do we think he's better? Absolutely not, but then again we Americans also love underdogs!
3. As many have said, Federer lacks spirit, much like Sampras before him, was not particularly popular. We seem to really like the guy who shows abundant enthusiasm and wears their heart on their sleeve. Another type we like is the classic gritty competitor. We Americans like a competitor much more than the master of the craft, we like to watch a guy grind it out and win with nothing but will and desire, even if they have inferior skills. The master goes about his business but the gritty competitor fights for every inch and we like fighters. Agassi falls into this category, he was HATED when he was young, but through the years despite all the criticism and negativity he became a winner and won the love of the U.S. because he was always fighting. Much the reason that Boris Becker was extremely popular here, Americans loved his playing style.
Overall Federers popularity in the U.S. is much like how Stephan Edberg was in his prime. We knew he was the best but we simply prefer other players who displayed the traits I mentioned above. Its more about competition, grit and enthusiasm for us than winning the most.
2006-11-01 02:31:39 · answer #1 · answered by JCRbama 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Federer is popular in tennis, it should not be a question of in which country he is liked or disliked. However americans as a whole root for the home player and not the foreign player coming to beat americans on their own soil with ease and class. So in a way americans are very arrogant but they are successful to some extent at what they do despite their arrogance. The only reason for anyone from the US to dislike a tennis player is because they are better than the ones that are born and bred in the US
2006-10-31 17:13:41 · answer #2 · answered by xhbvi3tboix 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why would you say that. It is more that tennis is not as popular in the United State then it is in other countries. I think most US tennis fans like and respect him. At least they do at the US OPEN which is the only thing I have to gage his American popularity on. The people in the stands pull for him, more then they do for Nadal by a wide margin. I like him always thought he a real gentleman. Now are American players like Blake and Roddick more popular and get the crowds behind them the answer is yes. I think that is true in every country however. that they root for their own players first. I feel I am right on this. Federer is liked here in the states.
2006-11-01 02:41:43 · answer #3 · answered by messtograves 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the other people who answered here have come with good reasons. A) He is not a US citizen (remember USA took a while
to warm up to Martina Navratilova and Monica Seles, especially
before they became US citizens/residents) and B) He doesn't
have a flashy personality. He's a nice guy, but it too plain and
ordinary for the American media and sports fans in general too take notice C) He is substance over style, which doesn't work
with most people these days.
2006-10-31 15:09:48 · answer #4 · answered by Answerer17 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I could say because he is not american, but it is more than that because frankly, americans didn't really go crazy over Sampras. Unless you toot your own horn these days, people aren't going to pay attention to you. With Agassi, he came full circle in his career and went from punk to class act. People grew up with him and loved him. Federer has always really been a class act and although he hits some unbelievable flashy shots at times, he (like sampras) makes things look so easy, it is just hard for Americans to root for guys like that. Americans like either flashy or guys who show the effort and grit (Connors, Roddick to some extent, McEnroe, and Agassi late in his career).
2006-10-31 14:55:42 · answer #5 · answered by Skywalker_NatureBoy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Americans are too busy with other sports that many don't have the time to think about tennis and Federer! Although he is such a nice guy that he cannot be disliked and is always respected.
2006-10-31 14:46:17 · answer #6 · answered by A 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Americans have no problem with Federer. He's a great player.
2006-10-31 14:45:27 · answer #7 · answered by iwasnotanazipolka 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the yanks think america is the world and the world's a stage,
that anything outside, be it race, religion, music, ideology, whatever.., is of no importance or significance to the betterman of their stage lives. so it is with Federer. In the same way they cannot come to terms with reality, that their lifestyle is certainly not the most desirable in this world.
2006-11-01 00:00:51 · answer #8 · answered by jeff 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Mainly because he is not an American. Also he doesn't have the strong personality that an Andre Agassi has. And lastly I'm sorry but I have to say that he is not good looking enough.
2006-11-02 17:58:35 · answer #9 · answered by kjn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its probably because he's more popular in Europe(he's swiss), and besides americans are more familiar with american players ie. James Blake, Andy Roddick etc.
2006-11-01 01:44:28 · answer #10 · answered by asher j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋