[warfreakbix]

Beginning of the year CNNSI already annointed three: Hewitt, Safin and Roddick. Hewitt for his heart, Safin for his wit and personality and Roddick because he's American (I think). Anybody else and why will they bring back fans to ATP?

 

[Angele]

I think James. Hewitt, Safin and Roddick (although I hate to admit it) all have, how could I say this... not faults but something that could turn the public against them James however seems more... perfect :angel: He's a good player, good looking, really sweet... If he could raise his ranking and have a good showing at the U.S open he could become the new media darling.

 

[Layla]

I agree with that. James is very intelligent and knows a thing or two about manners. I like that in a player. But he desperately needs better results.

 

[Dissident]

James is good, yes. But his results would have to be a LOT better. Roddick is energetic and everything else, but he had his boom already and results are somewhere to be found. If Safin goes back to his top form, he is the biggest name there. His attitude (explosive) is something the tennis is in need. But he could be explosive without being silly too. Chose the right time to explode and the right time to keep it going. Hewitt is kind of robotic for public appeal, I guess. Dont get me wrong, his game is just tooooooooooooo right. You know what I mean? All his shots are so mechanical, perfect timing, sometimes its even boring: he doesnt need any improvising.
Guga is someone who would take loads of people to courts. If only his talent was better recognized... People tend to put him among the so called "clay-court specialists". Damn, I HATE that name.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Hitman, if Guga was american, we wouldn't be having half of those Guga conversations...

Unfortunately the American media is louder than everyone else, and they are very very very xenophobic and look over real talent, in desparate search of something mediocre and American born.

Moving on to the topic at hand:

If James can break into the top 20 or 15, he has a great deal of appeal - women like him, he is respectful, kind, well spoken, easy to root for, etc. etc.

We need players like Hewitt and Safin though, who one either loves or hates..

Lots of people hated Connors or McEnroe, and that helped make things interested for people, as they always had someone to root for or against.

As much as people bitch about him, the game needs Hewitt. He's consistent, he has a lot of fire power, he is easy to either root for or against depending on what you like, he always puts on a good show - the guy is worth every penny you pay to sit on a court and watch him, and that is the way that it should be.

If Roddick can break into the top ten, and do better at slams, he'll peak the american fan base, which seems generally unable to enjoy athletes from other countries or something ....

Though wether or not the ATP has a lot of fans really depends where in the world you live....

I don't suppose that people in Spain have spent the last ten years bitching, have they?

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

APpologies - I have nothing against Americans, but I hate the American media.

That should explain half of my comments...

 

[U.S. AIR FORCE]

Unfortunately the American media is louder than everyone else, and they are very very very xenophobic and look over real talent, in desparate search of something mediocre and American born.

I guess living in America gives me access to more American newspapers and magazines, because I've read a lot of promising things about players from other countries. Roddick is going to get the most attention because he is American, and the media is looking for a replacement to Pete and Andre.

But...judging by the poor tickets sales for some of the European events on the WTA tour, perhaps their media isn't doing enough to widen the fan base to players outside their country? So, I don't think this is strictly an American issue if its an issue at all. Every country is looking for a player for them to hype and call the next Pete or Steffi.

I have read some dumb ass comments about American tennis though, don't get me wrong. I remember reading something by John Weirthem, of all people, who said this year he thought Hewitt would get injured and Roddick would win a slam. Looks like its the other way around. Hewitt is winning the slams and Roddick is well...showing up for them at best. Unfortunately some commentators and journalists make predictions without looking at stats, records, etc. first. But there are plenty of American journalists who know what they talk about. But most of them aren't with the Newspaper that have worldwide publication, unfortuantely.

Personally, I enjoy cheering for the Swedes and Hewitt over the American men. I enjoy watching them more. :angel:

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Well I can't read Spanish or Portugese, and most of the media I read is American, so from my point of view, its the loudest

That is where my comments spew from hehe

 

[Dissident]

Well, Guga gets big coverage here, yes. But its not like everyone will say he´s God like they do to Roddick in the US. The coverage is different. Becca has a point, yes.
The difference is that the american hype gets spread world-wide. Our coverage is for internal use only. Thats why it seems we dont do it.

 

[Daniel]

Hewitt and Guga

 

[Angele]

Lleyton, if he was marketed more and properly, and was more open with the media would definetly have the power to bring in a lot of fans