I'm not a tennis purist by any stretch of the imagination and can't say I'm overly fussed about any particular style of play. I have a passing interest in most sports but it was the contrast in styles and rivalry, firstly between Nadal and Federer and then Djokovic coming into the equation that grew my interest in tennis and what I find entertaining more than a style of play. These guys at their peak playing each other, when you had those long brutal points with Federer on the attack and Nadal/Djokovic staying in the point by the skin of their teeth is far more entertaining than watching any of them completely dominating an opponent.
French Open Tennis 2017
- Thread starter marc2003
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Caporegime
Not sure why you are calling it a gimmick. In every sport, the best players to watch are the ones with flair, the ones who do it with style. Usain Bolt is the best 100m runner ever but there is something more to him as well. The best footballers are the most creative as well as consistent.
Nadal and Federer don't have a "gimmick" to their technique. Nadal is just an animal on the court with the amount of power he has. That makes him exciting to watch. Federer just floats around the court with amazing footwork and his technique with the racquet is sublime. He is a joy to watch. Contrast that with Murray and Djokovic who doggedly return the ball when most others wouldn't and I know who I would rather watch. Both are excellent players but if you talk to people about the four of them you don't hear most people getting as excited about Murray and Djokovic. If you do, thats cool.
I totally agree, watching them breeze past the lesser players was impressive but it was the games against each other that have been easily some of the best matches of tennis ever.