New favorites, other favorite players

[Moxie]

^They just missed meeting tomorrow, when Dolgopolov lost. Too bad. They're 1-1, and both times they've met in Monaco.

 

[tented]

My favorite non-Federer player is Grigor Dimitrov. Other than those two, I don't have a strong desire to see any particular player win at this point and it all depends upon the matchup. I usually root for the underdog.

Do you watch many matches which don't involve them?

I watch whatever matches I can when I can, and will put more or less effort into watch a match depending upon how "sexy" the matchup is. In other words, I can live without seeing, say, Kubot vs. Kamke, but would love to see Dolgopolov vs. Gulbis. I will almost always watch Slam finals, usually some earlier round matches and ATP 1000 finals, and other matches here and there. When I'm watching a given match between two players that aren't Federer or Dimitrov, I usually find myself cheering for the underdog or whoever happens to be down at the time, or whoever I take a temporary liking to. The main thing is I want to see a good match.

Also, it isn't that I'm indifferent about all other players, just that it depends upon the matchup. I also have an especial interest in young players, so like to watch Vesely, Thiem, Kyrgios, etc.

Why do you ask?

Your statement "other than those two, I don't have a strong desire to see any particular player win at this point" made me wonder. No hidden implications.

Like you, I tend to root for the underdog in a neutral match. It keeps things interesting. I also like to follow the younger players. I mentioned Dimitrov, Delbonis, Pospisil, Bautista Agut, and Thiem in my first post, for example.

 

[Kieran]

I don't really have a second fave, but if I had to, it might be Grigor. Only "might be", because he hasn't reached the stage where I follow his career, or anything. Usually, I just hope Rafa wins, and everybody else loses - even when they're not playing Rafa!

 

[Front242]

Haas, Gulbis, Soderling (damn man, come back! probably never at this stage), Llodra, Stepanek, Dimitrov, Dolgopolov, Kohlschreiber, Davydenko, Wawrinka when he's playing well but when his backhand and serve are off he can be ugly as hell to watch. A shotmaker then with no shots! Anyway, respect to the old guys on tour.

 

[Front242]

I'd like to put Janowicz on there but tbh I'm disgusted with his performance since Wimbledon 2013. To be fair he had some back issues since then but I believe his back is fine now and his game just sucks. Hope he gets back on track.

 

[Front242]

Any out there gonna say Isner, Karlovic, Raonic, Anderson ? I used to be a big fan of Tsonga but boy has his game gone to the dogs. One good performance every 6 months won't keep me a fan I'm afraid.

 

[Riotbeard]

Any out there gonna say Isner, Karlovic, Raonic, Anderson ? I used to be a big fan of Tsonga but boy has his game gone to the dogs. One good performance every 6 months won't keep me a fan I'm afraid.

I am an Isner fan, because he is the #1 American and a likeable enough guy. I check his scores more than I watch his matches though, because they are boring. There is 1 raonic and 1 anderson fan.

 

[tented]

There is 1 raonic and 1 anderson fan.

So they've each lost a parent. Poor guys.

 

[Front242]

Any out there gonna say Isner, Karlovic, Raonic, Anderson ? I used to be a big fan of Tsonga but boy has his game gone to the dogs. One good performance every 6 months won't keep me a fan I'm afraid.

I am an Isner fan, because he is the #1 American and a likeable enough guy. I check his scores more than I watch his matches though, because they are boring. There is 1 raonic and 1 anderson fan.

Imagine 99% of us just check his scores unless he plays a big four opponent or a player we like. Imagine rushing home early from work to watch him? I'd rather saw my nuts off with a rusty bread knife, flay all the skin off my body, cover myself in salt and jump in a vat of acid

 

[Riotbeard]

There is 1 raonic and 1 anderson fan.

So they've each lost a parent. Poor guys.

Actually Murat like Raonic and I. Haychew Anderson, so 2 each.

 

[El Dude]

Your statement "other than those two, I don't have a strong desire to see any particular player win at this point" made me wonder. No hidden implications.

Like you, I tend to root for the underdog in a neutral match. It keeps things interesting. I also like to follow the younger players. I mentioned Dimitrov, Delbonis, Pospisil, Bautista Agut, and Thiem in my first post, for example.

Yeah, all I meant was that I don't have a horse in the race other than Federer and, to a lesser degree, Dimitrov. I still love watching a match - in some ways, I enjoy non-Fed matches more because I can enjoy them without getting stressed! Love me a good Nadal-Djokovic slugfest.

 

[I.Haychew]

There is 1 raonic and 1 anderson fan.

So they've each lost a parent. Poor guys.

I'm an Anderson phan. So, I guess that means that he's lost BOTH parents, which would make him "Little Orfan Anderson".

 

[ftan]

I don't really have a second fave, but if I had to, it might be Grigor. Only "might be", because he hasn't reached the stage where I follow his career, or anything. Usually, I just hope Rafa wins, and everybody else loses - even when they're not playing Rafa!

I am same way with Roger.. he wins and everyone else loses .. even when he is not playing .. lolz lolz

Barring Delpo...why oh why did he have to get injured again cry

 

[herios]

Old favorites: Delpo, Verdasco, Raonic, Ferrer
New: Wawrinka
Special mention for F3, because I like the thatrics

I mentioned the non big 4, because my biggest is Nole, of course!

 

[tented]

Old favorites: Delpo, Verdasco, Raonic, Ferrer
New: Wawrinka
Special mention for F3, because I like the thatrics

I mentioned the non big 4, because my biggest is Nole, of course!

Plus the entire point of the thread is not to mention them.

 

[nehmeth]

With the rise of Stan Wawrinka, I was curious if folks wanted to discuss where everyone is shaking down with him, but with the other "non-Big 4," as well. I didn't want to make a thread as to just who was becoming a fan of the Stanimal, but I'm interested to know who is. He's the striding player out of the Obvious Ones. But additionally, there are other players trending, and sides seem to begin to be drawn. I'm not asking who people think will do well, so much as who they "like," as in, could be a fan of.

You're welcome to state who your favorite is, but let's keep the discussion to outside of the Big Four, which is still Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray. I'd like to know who your hearts are beating a little faster for. Wawrinka, Fognini, Del Potro (even though he's out for now, I'd like to know who has him at or near the top of their list of faves,) Dimitrov, Dolgopolov, any of the young up-and-comers, etc. Even the old-timers who we still hold out hope for, like Tsonga, Berdych and Monfils.

Well Potito Starace is rather long in the tooth and will most likely finish his career without an ATP singles championship, so that bandwagon has come to a slow crawl.

Another player I like (that has a fan base of his mother, father and girlfriend), is Berdych. I'd love to see him have a breakthrough like Stan, but not sure that he ever will.

Then there is Ernie (Gulbis), Alex (Dolgo), and Greg (Dimitrov), the latter has grown on me as I see him show more fire in the bigger matches. Dolgo is like watching a combination of gymnast and fencing master on the court... a stronger frame and better balance between the ears, he could do very well. And Ernie? He's a character and has made a huge effort to climb the ranks. I get a kick out of watching him.

 

[britbox]

Outside of Federer, and to a far lesser extent Murray - I look out for Haas, Dolgo and Dimitrov.

 

[Moose]

Kohli, Thiem, Dolgopolov, Dimitrov, Tipsarevic, Brian Baker (hopefully he will make it back again).

Had a one year infatuation with Paire - but his antics have turned me, and I have to agree with Iveta Melzer that #itsalwayssomethingwithben

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Kohli, Thiem, Dolgopolov, Dimitrov, Tipsarevic, Brian Baker (hopefully he will make it back again).

Had a one year infatuation with Paire - but his antics have turned me, and I have to agree with Iveta Melzer that #itsalwayssomethingwithben

Dude, even Arnold has not been back that many times....:snigger

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YEG9DgRHhA[/video]

 

[Denis]

Tsonga, Stan the Man, Nishikori and Gulbis. And also F3, because he's crazy.