Which player made you interested in tennis in the first place? [Archive]

Stroba

Dec 9th, 2004, 06:51 AM

The question is ok, but this shouldn´t be a poll.

I wouldn´t say any particular player made me interested in tennis in the first place.

In the beginning of 90ies I enjoyed watching Graf, Agassi and Stich. When Pierce won the Ausopen in 95 (if I remember correctly) I perhaps started following tennis a little more frequently.

Nowadays i really enjoy watching lots of players but if I have to name someone, I would say Federer and Sharapova. Federers arsenal of shots is just unbelieveble and he makes it look so easy thanks to his great movement. Sharapova is true fighter and I always have been a fan of players with fighting spirit.

Dennis

Dec 9th, 2004, 07:06 AM

Monica Seles !!!

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 9th, 2004, 07:11 AM

...Nowadays i really enjoy watching lots of players but if I have to name someone, I would say Federer and Sharapova...
Then please vote for Masha.

Tichi

Dec 9th, 2004, 07:13 AM

I started following tennis when Dominique Monami and Sabine Appelmans were playing their best. But I became really interested once Kim made her famous run at Roland Garros, so I voted Kim!

Chunchun

Dec 9th, 2004, 07:15 AM

lena :)

my first ever match saw was lena v. chanda HK 03 :)

then i follow tennis :drool:

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 9th, 2004, 07:18 AM

...You completely ignored the older generations of players who I'm sure attracted more ppl into the game then the current crop of young players.
Actually Steffi Graf made me like watching tennis on TV in the first place.

But Masha S made me know about this WTAworld.com board and interested in travelling to see tennis matches at tournaments.

korben

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:00 AM

Probably Jimmy Connors :)

^bibi^

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:01 AM

these players are a bit young... for me it was Hingis and Graf... (heninhardenne too, but she was just a young girlk who won roland garros junior at that time...)

Mr_Molik

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:07 AM

pat rafter :)

Brαm

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:27 AM

Dominique Monami ;)
But I really started following the WTA tour when Kim reached the 4th round at Wimbledon 1999 :D

Stroba

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:00 AM

Then please vote for Masha.

I was interested in tennis already when Masha was a little kid. Have only known about Masha for about a year and a half.

I could have voted for Graf or Pierce.

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:02 AM

Thank you anyway!

Lemonskin.

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:22 AM

>_> it was Harkleroad vs Hantuchova, FO 2003. I was going for Harkleroad... so I guess Pebbles got me into it then!

Lemonskin.

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:24 AM

...but Maria Sharapova was my first fave.

Kuilli

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:43 AM

Bjorn Borg ;)

SpikeyAidanm

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:59 AM

Coetzer.

*Jool*

Dec 9th, 2004, 10:01 AM

Mary and Conchita back to 1994. (FO/Wimbledon)

Mathijs

Dec 9th, 2004, 10:18 AM

Anke Huber in 1992 or 1993, i really enjoyed the finally of the AO in '96 between her and Monica Seles, was a great match...., but Elena Dementieva got me really into Tennis back in '97 :)

Lapin

Dec 9th, 2004, 10:23 AM

Bjorn Borg and then Martina Navratilova!

lindsayno1

Dec 9th, 2004, 10:40 AM

lindsay at wimbledon 99!

TatiAnnahølic

Dec 9th, 2004, 10:42 AM

Anna

matthias

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:14 AM

no i feel very old!
not everyone on this board is 15 or so!
i´m 25
and the first time i felt in love with tennis was as Steffi Graf played Navratilova in German Open final, i think it was the first time Steffi beat Navratilova

GoDominique

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:20 AM

Other: Boris Becker. :)

Women, Steffi Graf.

But I would probably have been interested in following international tennis even without them. :)

Greenout

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:21 AM

You obviously have no clue what tennis has been like. You completely ignored the older generations of players who I'm sure attracted more ppl into the game then the current crop of young players.

:lol:

No shit!

The player that made me interested in tennis was Gabby Sabatini. :)

SilK

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:23 AM

I think it is really bad that Anna Kournikova and Martina Hingis are not in this poll! What is that all about? :cuckoo:

tennislover

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:23 AM

Graf.

I started being interested in tennis when I started rooting against her......

Allez-H

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:24 AM

Martina Hingis made me love the game :hearts:

GrantyBoy

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:24 AM

Steffi Graf

Experimentee

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:39 AM

:rolleyes: at the choices
Most people have been following tennis for more than 5 minutes.

I voted for Venus because she made me follow tennis a bit more, but I really started with watching Sampras and Agassi in the early-mid 90's.

VivalaSeles

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:44 AM

Monica Seles :)

TheBoiledEgg

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:55 AM

Gabriela Sabatini :drool: :hearts: ;)

Spunky83

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:56 AM

Steffi Graf

CooCooCachoo

Dec 9th, 2004, 12:08 PM

Martina Hingis :hearts:

SilK

Dec 9th, 2004, 12:09 PM

Martina Hingis :hearts:

Same Here :wavey:

AlwaysGraf

Dec 9th, 2004, 12:34 PM

Yeah, you ignored the older generations.

Steffi Graf is tennis to me!

Bероника

Dec 9th, 2004, 01:38 PM

Gabriela Sabatini made me start watching tennis.

Monica Seles made me getting really excited and obsessed about tennis.

So I say thanks to both ladies,who are not included in the poll,by the way.

Dementinator

Dec 9th, 2004, 01:52 PM

Well as "Old Fart " Captain Dementinator ,hell , i can even remember when all this used to be just Fields!!! The choices are a little difficult for me , I used to love Gabby and Adored watching Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva playing doubles what a pair they were!! I expect a lot of "young Pups" dont even know who the hell they were!
So Probably Gabby etc got me really intersested for a start but now I am up here on the Bridge of The SS Dementieva!! ooo please excuse me but my arthritis i playing me up again ,and for the love of god why does the toilet have to be so far from the bridge!! not sure I can make it anymore...........

Sonja

Dec 9th, 2004, 01:55 PM

Gabriela Sabatini fired me up for womens tennis and then Monica Seles (though I watched it with Martina,Chrissie and others, too)

Amélie put the spark back in for me after Gaby retired, so I'll choose her but it would have been nice to see a bit broader poll. :)

kabuki

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:01 PM

Damn, I'm old.

Jorn

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:04 PM

Hingis :o ;) Later Zvereva. :)

Stijn

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:15 PM

Kim Clijsters

grafan92

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:29 PM

Steffi Graf.

geewhiz

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:32 PM

Stefan Edberg and Anders Jarryd. I liked watching them play doubles along with the likes of Flach & Seguso and McNamara & McNamee. Didn't really watch women's tennis that much back then.

bigshow21

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:40 PM

The Great Jennifer Capriati!!! :)

améliemomo

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:43 PM

As a french , I have the tennis culture because of Roland garros and also with all the french players in the Tour.

I began to kwow about tennis with Natalie Tauziat,sandrine testud,mary pierce but I appreciate this great sport because of Améli that is as great as a player also as a personn. :)

she became the first french player n°1 so RESPECT!!

nash

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:47 PM

Tracy Austin

rjd1111

Dec 9th, 2004, 02:47 PM

Which player made you interested in tennis in the first place?

Please vote and share your viewpoints.

Thank you!

Jimmy Conners

R&J

Dec 9th, 2004, 03:03 PM

Neither of those - it was Monica Seles.

Kurama

Dec 9th, 2004, 03:27 PM

Gabriela Zabatini

JLDementieva

Dec 9th, 2004, 03:32 PM

Steffi got me interested in tennis back when I was in elementary school. She was just so fun to watch on court, and I developed this obsession for tennis ever since.

TonyP

Dec 9th, 2004, 03:42 PM

For me, it was Pancho Gonzales. I followed the sportfromthe '50s all the way until the early 90s, then sort of burned out on it for awhile. Martina Hingis brought me back to it.

-Em-

Dec 9th, 2004, 03:54 PM

Chris, Steffi and Monica

Caz

Dec 9th, 2004, 04:02 PM

Martina Navratilova, then ASV, now a whole host of players! :D

Martian Melissa

Dec 9th, 2004, 04:06 PM

Martina Hingis!!

bandabou

Dec 9th, 2004, 04:07 PM

Serena and Martina H....mostly Serena.

danra

Dec 9th, 2004, 04:20 PM

Zina, Monica, Steffi

Alvarillo

Dec 9th, 2004, 04:41 PM

Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (since 1997...) and then Juan Carlos Ferrero !
and now i'm a big big big fan of this fantastic sport!

AjdeNate!

Dec 9th, 2004, 05:03 PM

Monica Seles.

martirogi

Dec 9th, 2004, 05:24 PM

hingis

Denise4925

Dec 9th, 2004, 05:27 PM

Billie Jean King

Martian Willow

Dec 9th, 2004, 05:32 PM

Martina Hingis. :inlove:

Havok

Dec 9th, 2004, 05:36 PM

Dokic

butch

Dec 9th, 2004, 05:45 PM

where is the "none of the above" option on the poll?

Steffi Graf initially
Amanda Coetzer

soos n the sis

Dec 9th, 2004, 07:53 PM

first time i saw Jennifer Capriati I was hooked.

alfajeffster

Dec 9th, 2004, 07:59 PM

Billy Jean King
GEEZ!!! I can't believe I had to read down this far to see this name!!!

BILLIE JEAN KING!

The Battle of the Sexes, September 1973!

Okay, I'm a dinosaur on these boards, but I'm still here, alive and swinging!

spindoctor

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:22 PM

Do I feel old or what? :o
Rod Laver

LeRoy.

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:27 PM

Monica Seles and Pete Sampras

The first ever tennis match i saw was the French Open 1990 final and the mens was the US open finals match

PointBlank

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:28 PM

I liked tennis when I heard Hingis won a junior slam..but I started liking tennis mostly because of Anna Kournikova and Smashnova

Denise4925

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:35 PM

GEEZ!!! I can't believe I had to read down this far to see this name!!!

BILLIE JEAN KING!

The Battle of the Sexes, September 1973!

Okay, I'm a dinosaur on these boards, but I'm still here, alive and swinging!
I must be more of a dinosaur than you alfa because I was in love with her even before the Battle of the Sexes, :lol: . I remember that Elton John wrote Philadelphia Freedom for her. That was her theme song.

Damn, I knew I spelled her name wrong as soon as I clicked "submit" :p :lol:

Calimero377

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:49 PM

Graf. ......

:yeah:

Philbo

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:54 PM

martina Navratilova

alfajeffster

Dec 9th, 2004, 08:55 PM

I must be more of a dinosaur than you alfa because I was in love with her even before the Battle of the Sexes, :lol: . I remember that Elton John wrote Philadelphia Freedom for her. That was her theme song.

Damn, I knew I spelled her name wrong as soon as I clicked "submit" :p :lol:Ah, but that was after he did that duet with Kikki Dee after the 73 Battle of the Sexes, and only after Billie Jean began as coach/player for the Philadelphia Freedoms World TeamTennis team WHICH, I might add, I went to see several times as a kid at the Spectrum in Philly. Watching tennis on those crazy colored carpets without lines was really a treat- BJK, Betty Stove, Francoise Durr, Virginia Wade, Jimmy Connors, Wojcek Fibak, Vitas Gerulaitis, among many, many other greats- GOOD STUFF! Okay- you're a Pteradactyl and I'm a Triceratops!:lol:

lilly

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:00 PM

Martina Hingis beating the crap out of someone while maintaining that smirk of hers. Made me wanna learn how this weird game worked and what the rules were.

Denise4925

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:05 PM

Ah, but that was after he did that duet with Kikki Dee after the 73 Battle of the Sexes, and only after Billie Jean began as coach/player for the Philadelphia Freedoms World TeamTennis team WHICH, I might add, I went to see several times as a kid at the Spectrum in Philly. Watching tennis on those crazy colored carpets without lines was really a treat- BJK, Betty Stove, Francoise Durr, Virginia Wade, Jimmy Connors, Wojcek Fibak, Vitas Gerulaitis, among many, many other greats- GOOD STUFF! Okay- you're a Pteradactyl and I'm a Triceratops!:lol:

No Alfa, you're talking about "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" which came out in 1976. Philadelphia Freedom was written in 1974, but came out in 1975 and specifically for BJK. See below:

"Elton John had always been a big sports fan, and for that reason, it was a great thrill for him, at a party, to meet one of his athletic idols: tennis pro Billie Jean King. They became good friends, and afterward, he always tried to attend her matches, whenever he could. Sometimes, Elton got in on the action, in celebrity benefit games.

One day, Billie surprised Elton with a special track suit, customized just for him. Elton was so touched that he promised to dedicate one of his "next big hits" to her. "Billie, I'm going to write a song for you," Elton said. "Just wait and see." She laughed and thanked him, assuming he'd quickly forget such an off-the-cuff vow.

A short time later, Billie was in Denver, embroiled in a crucial playoff game. Suddenly, Elton entered her locker room, bearing a hand-held tape recorder. With a nervous grin, he punched up a track he had just completed, and awaited her reaction. For many long minutes, the tune played on. And then she smiled. Billie Jean King loved the song.

Single copies of "Philadelphia Freedom" carry Elton's dedication to "B.J.K.," as well as to "the soulful sounds of Philadelphia" -- a clear nod to the Gamble-Huff-Bell school of R&B. The record was Elton's answer to dance music mania, and was, in fact, one of the largest-selling disco singles of all time." ;)

But, you're right. It was written when she was the coach of the WTT Team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. :)

Andrew.

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:06 PM

Goran got me into tennis a long time ago.

~Cherry*Blossom~

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:11 PM

Well Serena made me like tennis at the US Open 1999, But Venus made me follow tennis after Wimbledon 2000. So I voted Venus!:hug:

faste5683

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:14 PM

Monica Seles.

:wavey:

waratahsrock

Dec 9th, 2004, 09:21 PM

Maria Sharapova, was hooked from her Wimbledon QF onwards.

gRaFiC

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:00 PM

Stefanie

smarties

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:09 PM

Gaby :hearts: I kind of had a crush on her; I use to collect her press clippings and draw some pictures of her :unsure: :o

Aussie_chic

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:16 PM

This question is very relavent for me. I was never really keen on tennis when I was little. I only played for school sport. Then we moved to Perth and saw the Hopman Cup. I saw Martina play and was drawn to her. Since then I kept an eye on her results and since then I have been going to the Hopman Cup every year. Now i play more and also I have become a fan of many more players! (SUch as Molik since 2001)

deep bass

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:17 PM

I feel old perusing this list. Mine was Original Martina.

*roddicksinme*

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:11 AM

Steffi Graf :worship:

Amorc

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:39 AM

Hingis :worship: :worship:

SzavayFi

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:42 AM

Pete Sampras

Wenddy

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:47 AM

Well really, what of the older players? Borg was tennis for me, then Sampras. No women tennis for me untill my Queen Venus came on the court.

Kabezya

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:52 AM

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Wenddy

Dec 10th, 2004, 01:05 AM

For Women Tennis Venus.

tennischick

Dec 10th, 2004, 01:12 AM

Steffi Graf :hearts: :hearts:

fammmmedspin

Dec 10th, 2004, 01:14 AM

What an ageist question........history begins again in the eyes of each new generation...

Graf 1988 Wimbledon. Then Anke Huber aged 16 at Filderstadt (91? )beating Martina the First (the one before Martina the Second who seemingly is now too old to get into the poll....)

Chet

Dec 10th, 2004, 01:37 AM

Women: Svetlana Parkhomenko and Larisa Savchenko (maybe Bettina Bunge/Claudia Kohde-Kilsch as well)

Men: Henrik Sundstrom and Joakim Nystrom

Just kidding...actually Gabriela Sabatini and Monica Seles

Brαm

Dec 10th, 2004, 11:23 AM

I liked tennis when I heard Hingis won a junior slam..but I started liking tennis mostly because of Anna Kournikova and Smashnova

So you were born in 1990 and yet you remember Hingis winning a junior slam? :tape:

:cuckoo:

New_balls_please

Dec 10th, 2004, 11:25 AM

Dominique and then ASV ;)

Geisha

Dec 10th, 2004, 11:30 AM

Veenusss!!! Woohoo!

Dennis

Dec 10th, 2004, 11:44 AM

Which player made you interested in tennis in the first place?

Please vote and share your viewpoints.

Thank you!
Where is Monica in your list ?!!!!??!!

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:05 PM

Where is Monica in your list ?!!!!??!!
You can vote for Monica in another thread below:

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322

geegables

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:09 PM

huuuuuuuuuuuuge justine henin hardenne fan. the girl was the best fighter i ever saw and the backhand was amazing! she got even better when her forehand was also her strength and then she did great stuff with her serve...she really got me into womens tennis i think

**Jelica**

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:33 PM

The first player that I was ever a fan of was Monica Seles..I used to watch her on Yugoslav TV when I was a really little kid, like 4 or 5! I wasn't a very good fan tho', cos as soon as she wasn't playing in 1993, I was Steffi's fan instead! I was only just 5 or 6 then tho, so that's my excuse for not being a loyal fan..after that, I was never really a fan of one player again until 2001, and then I became a Justine-fan! :) And, I haven't become a fan of another player while she's not been playing so I guess I'm better now..:)

Dennis

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:43 PM

You can vote for Monica in another thread below:

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322
Thanx !!

tennislover

Dec 10th, 2004, 12:54 PM

:yeah:

:lol:

brunof

Dec 10th, 2004, 01:23 PM

Natasha Zvereva and her cool sunglasses! :cool:

~MaRt~HiNgIs~F@N

Dec 10th, 2004, 02:48 PM

MArtina Hingis

alias

Dec 10th, 2004, 03:23 PM

Hingis and Kournikova

DEETHELICK

Dec 10th, 2004, 03:27 PM

Arantxa SV

However Jen's victory at the AO 2001 made me take interest a little more. But it was when I saw Elena D the previous year at the YEC and USO 2000 that i thought here is a girl with a great game and beauty.

FrauleinSteffi

Dec 10th, 2004, 05:48 PM

Steffi Graf & Chris Evert & Jennifer Capriati

Becool

Dec 10th, 2004, 07:55 PM

Serena

Mana

Dec 10th, 2004, 08:01 PM

The one and only Nadia Petrova!

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 12th, 2004, 09:19 AM

Really nice to see that Venus does play an important role in women's tennis.

daniela86

Dec 12th, 2004, 11:57 AM

martina hingis !!!! :kiss: :kiss: :kiss:

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 13th, 2004, 04:23 AM

martina hingis !!!!
And have you voted for Martina in the following thread?

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322

go hingis

Dec 13th, 2004, 04:27 AM

Martina Hingis

Jackson.

Dec 13th, 2004, 05:30 AM

Hingis :D :D :D

Her 97 Wimbly win was fantastic :drool:

beauty_is_pink

Dec 14th, 2004, 11:57 PM

Martina Hingis :worship:

SzavayFi

Dec 15th, 2004, 12:00 AM

there should be an OTHER choice

Chrissie-fan

Dec 15th, 2004, 12:11 AM

I voted for Jenny because she's my fave among current players,but it were Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors who got me interested in the game in the first place.

Which player made you interested in tennis in the first place?

Please vote and share your viewpoints.

Thank you!

Barrie_Dude

Dec 15th, 2004, 12:28 AM

Mine was Billie Jean King in 1973.... but she is not on the list so I voted 4 my favorite...... Capriati!

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 15th, 2004, 12:37 AM

Mine was Billie Jean King in 1973....
Then please go to vote for her in this thread:

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322

because nobody has voted for her yet.

exoneuk

Dec 15th, 2004, 12:37 AM

Never was REALLY that interested in it until I went to the Nottingham Open in 97. Been every year since. I had to check the results on Ceefax to find out who was doing what and from then on, I've been a tennis fan since.

Shame I can't really find the time to go to Eastbourne or B'ham to watch the women's events :sad:

peanuts

Dec 15th, 2004, 04:30 AM

martina hingis!!

long live chucky!! and welcome back to the tour!! :)

le bon vivant

Dec 15th, 2004, 04:44 AM

Venus AND Serena.

greenfunkTHREE.

Dec 15th, 2004, 08:25 AM

i got hooked on to wta. is cos. of myskina. she was the 1st person i ever watched. :D and i think she's cool!

Josefina

Dec 15th, 2004, 10:01 AM

Gabriela Sabatini
+
Amélie Mauresmo

schris

Dec 15th, 2004, 02:27 PM

Steffi Graf :)

MinnyGophers

Dec 15th, 2004, 02:28 PM

I would say Steffi Graf!
But right now Justine and Momo.
but I can live by just watching Davenport, the WS....

Chrissie-fan

Dec 15th, 2004, 03:41 PM

I have now. Thanks.

And have you voted for her in the below thread?

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322

silverwhite

Dec 15th, 2004, 03:43 PM

The Williams sisters. :)

jdog3008

Dec 15th, 2004, 04:08 PM

Goran :fiery:

Linnie

Dec 15th, 2004, 04:10 PM

Billie Jean King :) Really!

I agree that there shouldn't be a poll for this question. It just assumes that all the posters on the board are young ;)

henmanhill

Dec 20th, 2004, 12:49 AM

You obviously have no clue what tennis has been like. You completely ignored the older generations of players who I'm sure attracted more ppl into the game then the current crop of young players.

That's right. You should have had a "none of the above" button too!

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 20th, 2004, 01:07 AM

That's right.
Any poster who wants to vote for the "older generation" can do so in the following thread:

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322
You should have had a "none of the above" button too!
But I prefer to have a player's name instead.

Alek

Dec 20th, 2004, 02:04 AM

SELES, Monica

:bowdown:

Alek

Dec 20th, 2004, 02:06 AM

oh, it changed now lol. then none of them :confused:

RedFilaJ-Cap#1

Dec 20th, 2004, 02:08 AM

I am not going to lie. It was Venus. When I was younger Wimbeldon you used to come on tv and there was nothing else to watch. I used to watch Venus play and then started liking tennis more and more until I saw Jen. Then i really started to love tennis!!

cartmancop

Dec 20th, 2004, 02:12 AM

Venus for sure... her summer run in '00 got me interested in the game for the first time.

Dec 20th, 2004, 03:16 AM

Natasha.

Scotso

Dec 20th, 2004, 03:45 AM

Mary Pierce

VeraNuVirgosFan

Dec 22nd, 2004, 02:33 AM

Where are the Myskina's fans? Please vote for your fave!

Josh810

Dec 22nd, 2004, 03:03 AM

Where are the Myskina's fans? Please vote for your fave!
I think many stay away from GM because of the overwhelming hate for her. Oh, well.

xin_hui

Dec 27th, 2004, 12:47 PM

i voted for kim, before really taking in the title of the thread.:lol:

i agree that the players listed here are too current. for me, it was martina hingis. if not for her, i wouldnt be following tennis or be on this board at all:)

lukehingis

Dec 27th, 2004, 12:58 PM

Martina Hingis no question. But voted for LenaD since she's my favourite active player (perhaps not for long with Marty's possible comeback?)

moby

Dec 27th, 2004, 01:03 PM

steffi graf... in 96

lukehingis

Dec 27th, 2004, 01:03 PM

Martina Hingis no question. But voted for LenaD since she's my favourite active player (perhaps not for long with Marty's possible comeback?)

Princess Fiona

Dec 27th, 2004, 04:36 PM

I remember watching Wimbledon (but not 'intently') as a child... :) And then I remember Jennifer Capriati's Wimbledon run in 1991 (beating the legend Martina Navratilova as a 15 year old prodigy)... And later that year I became an Anke Huber fan!! ;) (After watching her win Filderstadt on TV :) ) Soooo... J.Cap/Anke tie? ;) :)

VeraNuVirgosFan

Jan 7th, 2005, 01:13 AM

Just want to let you know that the leader of this Poll, Venus, might have seen the results of this Poll yesterday.

A Hong Kong poster helped me to pass my letter to Venus yesterday, and I included this Poll results in my letter.

Purple_Llama

Jan 7th, 2005, 05:35 AM

Gigi Fernandez :D

R&J

Jan 7th, 2005, 05:37 AM

Monica Seles

DutchieGirl

Feb 18th, 2005, 05:56 AM

At first, it was Hingis. Coz I was watching the Ao and they said she's only 14 and I was like "OMG! There's a girl winning matches at the AO who's younger than me! :eek:" And then I had many faves (Coetzer, Clijsters, lots of others) but in the last year they all got injured or retired (well ok not all, but alot of them), so my interest really dropped. But I went to the AO this year to watch Misa Krajicek, and now I'm interested again! :D

Martian Jeza

Feb 18th, 2005, 05:58 AM

1. Monica Seles ( I was 10 years old when I discovered her )
2. Martina Hingis which is my tennis idol.

3. Daniela Hantuchova.
4. Ana Ivanovic.

leigh

Feb 18th, 2005, 06:08 AM

Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis. :)

bello

Feb 18th, 2005, 06:17 AM

GABRIELA SABATINI for me too.......she should win this poll!!!!!

abbygael

Feb 18th, 2005, 06:19 AM

I started to play tennis when I saw Lindsay strike the ball and dominates tennis in 98 and 99.

RVD

Feb 18th, 2005, 06:25 AM

VENUS! :)
Bank Of the West Classic, '97, in my home town of Oakland. She was literally playing at the Oakland Coliseum as I was passing by it on the freeway (AND while it was on the radio). I remembered hearing about a little known sensation whose father was brash and bold, and I immediately took to them. Then, I heard and saw Serena and was SPRUNG!! :eek: :hearts: :drool:

I remember being very young watching capriati and Monica, but they just didn't do it for me. :shrug:

tennisvideos

Feb 18th, 2005, 06:38 AM

Evonne Goolagong when she won the 1971 Wimbledon Final ... of course I was just a young kid but I also remember the tickertape parade for her in Narrandera (20 miles from her birthplace of Barellan). That got me excited about tennis in the first place.

Then when I was a teenager I got a glimpse of Francoise Durr in the late 70s with her extraordinarily unorthodox style and that was it - I was hooked! :)

Hayato

Feb 18th, 2005, 06:39 AM

None of these in the options :p

oddkayla

Feb 18th, 2005, 06:41 AM

The legend that is Steffi Graf

VeraNuVirgosFan

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:25 AM

Is Venus The Most Popular Player Here?
Maybe the above Poll results can partly answer your question?

deja_entendu

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:40 AM

Ceecor

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:41 AM

Grrr ................this poll is so agist! lol

Bettina Bunge

JenFan75

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:50 AM

My favorite player was Anke Huber when I first started following tennis but she retired soon after. :sad:

I also liked Jen (of course) and Seles ^^

So I guess Anke got me into tennis...she was sooooo pretty :hearts:

le bon vivant

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:51 AM

Hingis obviously, she was making complete fools of girls who appeared to be twice her size, I mean who else, in a Slam final, swats at her opponents shots which are clearly going out, just to ridicule them? :haha: loves it

lol, highly impressive when you're outclassing mental giants like Amelie Mauresmo and Jana Novotna, and outplaying all time greats like Mary Pierce, Conchita Martinez and outclassing a 17 year old Venus Williams. :)

Ceecor

Jul 26th, 2005, 06:29 AM

Jana Novotna like crosswords

alibaby

Jul 26th, 2005, 09:40 AM

[QUOTE=K-LinaŠpremFan]Which player made you interested in tennis in the first place?

Please vote and share your viewpoints.

Thank you![/QUOTE
hmm,this is a tough question...i would say,there were more than one player.as my interest in womens tennis grew,from the start of the 90ies in fact,there were definitely mary joe and gigi fernandez,who i really admired!great personalitys,too..also iva majoli,who was definitely my "star"for the next years to come,although many matches have been really "nerve-wracking",but that was HER style!so,all in all,this would be my group.i hope,i forgot none..

~lollipop_girl~

Jul 26th, 2005, 10:40 AM

No doubt about it: Hingis, but she's not there (disappointed) so i'll have to go for Masha!!!

Hayato

Jul 26th, 2005, 10:42 AM

none of those.

Lennval

Jul 26th, 2005, 10:48 AM

Lena D

VeraNuVirgosFan

Jul 26th, 2005, 11:00 AM

No doubt about it: Hingis, but she's not there (disappointed)
You can vote for Hingis in the following thread:

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322

~lollipop_girl~

Jul 26th, 2005, 11:08 AM

You can vote for Hingis in the following thread:

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322

Ok thanks heaps!

ampers&

Jul 26th, 2005, 11:09 AM

Well, I've always liked tennis. Even before this newer generation of players. But my interest in woman’s tennis started to wane before the emergence of the Williams sisters. I was fascinated by them. Everything about them was different form the game I use to know. They forever changed the face of the woman's game.

No Name Face

Jul 26th, 2005, 11:11 AM

Serena Williams, back in 1999.

Portobello

Jul 26th, 2005, 11:39 AM

Actually The Williams,I'd supported Venus for a while then I don't know why but I feel bored(very bored) so I turned to "football" instead :confused:
Maybe the life cycle or something like that,U crazy sth so much but one day it might gone.
But it's "Maria" make me interest it again so I voted Maria ;)

petey_pan

Jul 26th, 2005, 12:05 PM

Steffi and Martina Navratilova when i was like 2 coz my mum loved steffi and my gran loved martina lol and they had this big rivalry going on so that got me into it - but independantly kournikova hehe - was my fave for years - and then when Alicia started doing well i REALLY got into it

flea

Jul 26th, 2005, 12:05 PM

MARY for sure !!! (Roland Garros 1990, her first...I was only 10 but I remember it..!!) :drool: :angel:

alex14

Jul 26th, 2005, 12:42 PM

definetely Martina Hingis, when i was 9, i watched her win the australian open in 1999, and win it 3 times in a row so young, i was shocked, and i wanted to follow in her steps lol...not happening, but yeh she got me playing tennis! plz come back!!

Volcana

Jul 26th, 2005, 01:19 PM

The players on that list ... LOL

For me, Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King

Lucy

Jul 26th, 2005, 01:32 PM

hingis in wimbledon '97 (i think)

deja_entendu

Jul 26th, 2005, 01:33 PM

lol, highly impressive when you're outclassing mental giants like Amelie Mauresmo and Jana Novotna, and outplaying all time greats like Mary Pierce, Conchita Martinez and outclassing a 17 year old Venus Williams. :)

Aww, she still gets you pissed off I see :haha: :bounce:

Although I imagine it's harder to beat five different players in Slam finals, than three -- against your sister, a fat ass, and the midget of the top 10.

:hearts: Go Marti! :hearts: :drool:

honeyke

Jul 26th, 2005, 01:34 PM

Steffi Graf,Kim Clijsters and Andre Agassi!!!!

jfk

Jul 26th, 2005, 02:00 PM

Sabatini and Capriati at first. Something about them...the shots they hit and the flair they had on and off court. The Graf/Seles rivalry was great but it didn't necessarily lead me to follow the tour so closely. I appreciate it more now in retrospect. Same goes for the Graf/ASV years.

The weak times when Martinez, Novotna etc. were allowed to practically dominate almost lost me. But once Hingis, Serena, Lindsay, and Jen were in full force, I followed it more than ever. It will be strange when Capriati retires, because I have never known tennis without her.

alfonsojose

Jul 26th, 2005, 03:55 PM

Hingis :sad: :bowdown:

SAEKeithSerena

Jul 26th, 2005, 03:56 PM

the williams sisters.

Timariot

Jul 26th, 2005, 04:43 PM

Agassi, when he won Wimbledon at 1992...didn't really get into women's tennis until Hingis era (I used to hate her back then and wanted to see her lose)...

Berlin_Calling

Jul 26th, 2005, 04:53 PM

none of the above? i started following tennis before people even knew who most of these players were.

faboozadoo15

Jul 26th, 2005, 04:55 PM

seles.

TF Chipmunk

Jul 26th, 2005, 04:58 PM

Hmm, actually, I first saw Andre Agassi play tennis in one of the summer swing tournaments on TV. That's how I got started playing tennis.

CrossCourt~Rally

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:00 PM

Well..not much choice for those of us over the age of 25 here... :lol: I would say..on the womens side it was Evert and Austin when i was a kid. But Capriati and Seles really made me a follower of tennis when i was in Jr Highschool :bounce: :wavey:

Shinjiro

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:12 PM

Chang, and Agassi.

SelesFan70

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:14 PM

Chris Evert :banana:

Sam's Slave

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:29 PM

what a shitty list! do you think everybody on this board is interested in tennis for only 1-3 years?

arantxa sanchez vicario made me interested in tennis.

Mattographer

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:39 PM

Jelena Dokic at Hopman Cup in 1999 :)

dania

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:43 PM

Andrei Pavel,but from the first WTA games I saw,I liked Mary Pierce.

*JR*

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:45 PM

For me, the great Chrissie vs. Martina rivalry re. the women's game, Connors vs. Borg for the men. And the fact that a certain ova-exposed blonde was err, "barely" :p mentioned ITT (and not once by herself) belies the myth the Annaholics sometimes peddle about how many tennis fans (not just "Anna fans") she created. :lol:

AlexB

Jul 26th, 2005, 05:47 PM

seles and ivan lendl

Calimero377

Jul 26th, 2005, 06:03 PM

VeraNuVirgosFan

Jul 27th, 2005, 08:49 AM

...But my interest in woman’s tennis started to wane before the emergence of the Williams sisters. I was fascinated by them. Everything about them was different form the game I use to know. They forever changed the face of the woman's game.
I agree with your viewpoints.

But who did you vote for - Venus or Serena?

As for me, Venus is my fave GS champion; although Steffi made me interested in tennis and Masha led me to this lovely WTAworld board.

Wimanna

Jul 27th, 2005, 09:28 AM

Dominique Monami :hearts:

Fearful Jesuit

Jul 27th, 2005, 12:50 PM

well, if we're talking about ladies, Gabriela Sabbatini, if we're talking about tennis, Guillermo Vilas (as you may noticed, I'm argentine and an old man :lol: )

CathyC!

Jul 27th, 2005, 01:06 PM

Women: Mary Pierce :hug:

Men: Jim Courier

_LuCaS_

Jul 27th, 2005, 01:08 PM

Irina Sparlea :worship:

deja_entendu

Jul 27th, 2005, 01:26 PM

And the fact that a certain ova-exposed blonde was err, "barely" :p mentioned ITT (and not once by herself) belies the myth the Annaholics sometimes peddle about how many tennis fans (not just "Anna fans") she created. :lol:

You're a retard, and that's the nicest way to say it. :wavey: What did Anna do to make you loathe her success so much? Do you hold resentment towards all people who were born with good looks? :tape: Wonder why...

Martian Jeza

Jul 27th, 2005, 02:24 PM

In the early 90ies : Monica Seles then in 1996 : I saw for the 1st time on TV the girl who has becomen my tennis idol : Martina Hingis.

DA FOREHAND

Jul 27th, 2005, 02:28 PM

Bjorn Borg, McEnroe, Conners

victory1

Jul 27th, 2005, 02:34 PM

I use to watch tennis casually until 1997 US Open. Venus Williams made tennis 1 of my favorite sports (American football & basketball are up there with tennis but they are seasonal). Serena Williams make it even sweeter.

Per

Jul 27th, 2005, 03:20 PM

Myskina!

In June 2004, I decided to see Venus' QF from Roland Garros. I always enjoy to watch Venus playing. Her opponent was a Russian player I didn't know at that time. Her name was Myskina, and Myskina won! I were suprised! And next Myskina won over Capriati in the SF and finally Myskina won the tournement after beating Dementieva!

Before "Myskina" I were not very interesting in the WTA-tour, but that beutiful Russian girl with her green "cat-eyes" make me very interested, and I have followed Myskina's matches and the WTA-tour since these June-days in 2004.

P.S. Why do so many people here hate Myskina? And hate other people's favourite player? I like and respect ALL the players: The Williams, The Belgians, Davenport, Mauresmo and so on. But Myskina belong to me heart!

Gretings from Denmark and
Per

deja_entendu

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:08 PM

P.S. Why do so many people here hate Myskina?

Because she'll beat the shit out of other top players and not even hit the ball hard while doing it. :worship: That makes her "untalented" apparently, of all things!

However, I will always support players who have true tennis talent more than those who get by because they were concieved by amazons. GOOOOOOO Nastya! :hearts:

venusfan

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:10 PM

I can honestly say that If Venus and Serena were to suddenly retire my entire love for tennis would be gone.. especially, women's tennis.. I do match the men every now and then though.

deja_entendu

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:14 PM

I can honestly say that If Venus and Serena were to suddenly retire my entire love for tennis would be gone..

Yes, that is fairly typical after all...

Knizzle

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:21 PM

Because she'll beat the shit out of other top players and not even hit the ball hard while doing it. :worship: That makes her "untalented" apparently, of all things!

However, I will always support players who have true tennis talent more than those who get by because they were concieved by amazons. GOOOOOOO Nastya! :hearts:

Myskina hits the ball very hard. I guess you've never seen her play.

deja_entendu

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:32 PM

Myskina hits the ball very hard. I guess you've never seen her play.

I've seen her play a lot more than you, sweetie :wavey:

Knizzle

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:35 PM

I've seen her play a lot more than you

If this were true you'd know she hits the ball hard.

deja_entendu

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:36 PM

Knizzle

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:39 PM

:haha: actually, apparently it's you that has not seen her play. She has a hard backhand, and that's it. Comparitively:

1 L. DAVENPORT hits harder.
2 M. SHARAPOVA hits harder.
3 J. HENIN-HARDENNE hits harder.
4 A. MAURESMO hits harder.
5 V. WILLIAMS hits harder.
6 K. CLIJSTERS hits harder.
7 P. SCHNYDER does not hit harder.
8 N. PETROVA hits harder.
9 S. WILLIAMS hits harder.
10 M. PIERCE hits harder.

You were saying?

I wouldn't say Justine hits harder shot for shot, but I agree with the rest. Just because she doesn't hit THE hardest doesn't mean she doesn't hit hard. Is that a HARD concept to grasp.

deja_entendu

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:45 PM

I wouldn't say Justine hits harder shot for shot, but I agree with the rest. Just because she doesn't hit THE hardest doesn't mean she doesn't hit hard. Is that a HARD concept to grasp.

Um please, Justine's serve/forehand are way harder than Anastasia's.

And SURE she hits hard dumb fuck in the sense that she's a professional tennis player, she can give the ball a good whacking, but COMPARED to the MAJORITY of top players and all but ONE top ten player, she does NOT hit hard, and therefore nobody in their right mind would call her a power player. Her strengths are her speed, backhand, and variety, and it would be ACCURATE to say that one of her WEAKNESSES is that she DOES NOT HIT THE BALL AS HARD as the rest of the girls.

:retard:

I have no idea what you're trying to prove, but you most certainly aren't going to prove it by suggesting that Anastasia hits the ball hard relative to any other top women's tennis player. Next.

Chrissie-fan

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:53 PM

CHRIS EVERT and JIMMY CONNORS :smoke:

Knizzle

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:55 PM

Um please, Justine's serve/forehand are way harder than Anastasia's.

And SURE she hits hard dumb fuck in the sense that she's a professional tennis player, she can give the ball a good whacking, but COMPARED to the MAJORITY of top players and all but ONE top ten player, she does NOT hit hard, and therefore nobody in their right mind would call her a power player. Her strengths are her speed, backhand, and variety, and it would be ACCURATE to say that one of her WEAKNESSES is that she DOES NOT HIT THE BALL AS HARD as the rest of the girls.

:retard:

I have no idea what you're trying to prove, but you most certainly aren't going to prove it by suggesting that Anastasia hits the ball hard relative to any other top women's tennis player. Next.

I KNOW what you're trying to prove by saying she's not a power player.

griffin

Jul 27th, 2005, 05:55 PM

However, I will always support players who have true tennis talent more than those who get by because they were concieved by amazons.

"Conceived by amazons"? Did someone figure out human parthenogenesis and not tell me :confused:

:rolleyes:

Hey, if you really meant "not as hard as other players" you should have written that in the first place rather than "not even hit the ball hard" The former is a reasonable statement, the latter makes her sound like Hingis ;)

deja_entendu

Jul 27th, 2005, 06:00 PM

Hey, if you really meant "not as hard as other players" you should have written that in the first place rather than "not even hit the ball hard" The former is a reasonable statement, the latter makes her sound like Hingis ;)

I apologize if others are incapable of understanding relativity :rolleyes:, because by such logic Amanda Coetzer and Nicole Pratt hit the ball hard, too. In fact let me retract that apology, I have no sympathy for those who are incapable of comparison and use a barometer of 0 mph to argue their point :lol:

*JR*

Jul 27th, 2005, 06:30 PM

You're a retard, and that's the nicest way to say it. :wavey: What did Anna do to make you loathe her success so much? Do you hold resentment towards all people who were born with good looks? :tape: Wonder why...
First, re. her "success" (@ the subject of this board, women's tennis) the numbers don't lie: 129 singles draws, 0 titles. Now she has parlayed good looks (nothing more, really, minus the make-up, and sometimes photoshop "alterations") into great financial success (basically as the object of juvenile sexual fantasies).

And somehow convinced legions of idiots, like those on kournikova.com, that somehow the fact that she had a lot of raw tennis talent in the 90's, plus those (merely good) looks make her a Goddess 2B worshipped. And no, I don't hold resentment towards ppl born with good looks, and think some (like Angelina Jolie) are wonderful human beings.

.Ivan.

Jul 27th, 2005, 06:37 PM

I can remember watching Venus play Martina Hingis at the US Open in 97 and thats when I first started watching tennis. After seeing that match I loved it but what made me be obsessed with it was seeing the Williams Sisters dominate at Wimbledon because from 2000-2003 one of them won it or they played each other. Now I can appreciate all the other top players but they first got me watchin.

griffin

Jul 27th, 2005, 06:41 PM

I apologize if others are incapable of understanding relativity

Understanding relativity and being able to read your little mind are two different things, dear :) And no need to apologize for your inability to use language clearly ;)

Rog, I get that someone's ability to overcome relative lack of talent and tennis success (in your view) with good looks and better marketing, and parlay that into vast popularity is upsetting to you, what I don't get is why you don't save more of your anger for the culture and values that make that possible (and I don't just mean giving her fans a hard time). She can't sell what no one's buying.

goldenlox

Jul 27th, 2005, 06:43 PM

Roger is an Anna fan. Like the guy who tried to swim to her house :rolleyes:

*JR*

Jul 27th, 2005, 06:56 PM

Understanding relativity and being able to read your little mind are two different things, dear :) And no need to apologize for your inability to use language clearly ;)

Rog, I get that someone's ability to overcome relative lack of talent and tennis success (in your view) with good looks and better marketing, and parlay that into vast popularity is upsetting to you, what I don't get is why you don't save more of your anger for the culture and values that make that possible (and I don't just mean giving her fans a hard time). She can't sell what no one's buying.
You make a fair point re. the larger culture. I've tried that here (basically in NT) re. for example, a post today in that "watermelon thread", about how repugnant I find the fact that the term "ghetto" still applies in 2005 to many areas even in America. And find that even those personally affected (or whose families are/were) tend 2B far more interested in "opportunities for escape" than in rendering such injustice obsolete. :shrug:

deja_entendu

Jul 27th, 2005, 07:12 PM

Understanding relativity and being able to read your little mind are two different things, dear :) And no need to apologize for your inability to use language clearly ;)

Yet YOU were able to infer EXACTLY what I meant, so why do you defend and empathize with those too thick to comprehend the meaning of my post?

Again, with the "logic" that you are defending and Knizzle was using, Amanda Coetzer, Nicole Pratt, and Sequera all hit the ball hard. If I refer to a women's tennis player being able to hit it hard, I'm obviously referring to her ability to hit the ball RELATIVE to other women's tennis players, and if you don't understand that, you are D - U - M - B. And Griffin, for you to say otherwise makes you appear dumb, too. Although this isn't the first time you've said something completely asinine.

Knizzle

Jul 27th, 2005, 07:20 PM

Yet YOU were able to infer EXACTLY what I meant, so why do you defend and empathize with those too thick to comprehend the meaning of my post?

Again, with the "logic" that you are defending and Knizzle was using, Amanda Coetzer, Nicole Pratt, and Sequera all hit the ball hard. If I refer to a women's tennis player being able to hit it hard, I'm obviously referring to her ability to hit the ball RELATIVE to other women's tennis players, and if you don't understand that, you are D - U - M - B. And Griffin, for you to say otherwise makes you appear dumb, too. Although this isn't the first time you've said something completely asinine.

You said Myskina doesn't hit the ball hard as if she just doesn't have alot of power a la Hingis, but that's VERY far from the truth. Even relative to the other top players she is not so far behind the other players in power or else she would go the way of Hingis which is getting dominated by the power players. Myskina's power can stand up to anyone's in a rally.

*JR*

Jul 27th, 2005, 08:05 PM

.....However, I will always support players who have true tennis talent more than those who get by because they were concieved by amazons. GOOOOOOO Nastya! :hearts:
Please identify those you think "get by because they were concieved by amazons."
:confused:

DA FOREHAND

Jul 27th, 2005, 08:17 PM

Lindsay's mom could hardly be called an amazon

griffin

Jul 27th, 2005, 08:30 PM

Yet YOU were able to infer EXACTLY what I meant, so why do you defend and empathize with those too thick to comprehend the meaning of my post?

Actually, until I read the ensuing argument, I too thought you meant she had no power (as one might say Dementieva has a weak serve) as opposed to simply having less power relative to the top ten (as one might say Mauresmo has a weaker serve than others in the top ten). And if you weren't so intent on having a screaming match with certain posters, you'd probably be able to realize and admit that you misspoke.

Although this isn't the first time you've said something completely asinine.

Why thank you - considering the source, I take that as a compliment :lol:

Aphrodite

Jul 27th, 2005, 08:31 PM

Gabby first got me interested in like 1991 she was my favorite, as well as the Maleeva sisters I thought it was so cool to have three sisters all in the top 10, and than I remember being impressed by Graf even tough she was never like my number one fav and when I discovered Amanda Coetzer in like 93-94 I got addicted.

Kworb

Jul 27th, 2005, 09:24 PM

Seles. I couldn't have been much older than 5 but I was in awe :worship:

I've only been on a tennis court once though, watching is enough for me :o

Elisse

Jul 27th, 2005, 10:10 PM

I had always liked tennis, but the one player who really got me hooked on the WTA tour was.....

:hearts: :worship: Gigi Fernandez :worship: :hearts:

Still sends a shiver down my spine everytime I watch old videos of her playing doubles with Zvereva! :drool:

Nastya's sister

Jul 27th, 2005, 10:14 PM

For me it was definitely Steffi Graf! Thanks to her I also wanted to learn German at the age of six. I thought she had the most beautiful hair and I loved to see her hitting that "magic" forehand.

VeraNuVirgosFan

Jul 28th, 2005, 08:54 AM

Myskina!

Myskina belong to me heart!
But the player in your avatar doesn't look like Nastya...
Gretings from Denmark and
Per
Greetings from WTAworld.com all around the world!

VeraNuVirgosFan

Jul 28th, 2005, 09:06 AM

Dear Administrator (griffin),

Is that Griffin, the Princess Dog, in your avatar?

It looks so sad, especially the eyes...

andrewbroad

Aug 28th, 2005, 12:43 AM

Well, I guess I had a casual interest in tennis in the days when Maud Watson was dominating Wimbledon, but it was Monica Seles who converted me to an avid tennis-fan at Wimbledon 1992! :worship:

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/ (http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/)
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/ (http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/)
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/seles/ (http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/seles/)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selesians/ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selesians/)

Marshmallow

Aug 28th, 2005, 12:58 AM

Venus williams. It was either the year 2000, or 2001 (post 2000) - but it was around the time of wimlbedon. Tim henman was quite big and in the papers, so i watched a few clips of tennis just because.... But when i saw venus playing - there was something about her, and the way she played. After seeing her play a few time, i actually not only picked up a racquet, but went about joining the local club (though i don't play anymore).

That said, i didn't follow tennis like i do now, till 2004. It was the Mauresmo-Serena match that really got me hooked. Mauresmo's style of play was amazing.

So initially Venus - but with the help of Mauresmo.

selyoink

Aug 28th, 2005, 03:50 AM

Justine Henin-Hardenne because I saw her great comeback win against Capriati at US Open semis in 03. Didn't actually watch the final but it was what made me decide to become a tennis fan in 04.

Justeenium

Aug 28th, 2005, 04:04 AM

geeeee,, i wasn't surprised to see Venus Williams leading this poll. Wonder why??

anyways for me it was the one the only Steffi Graf

VeraNuVirgosFan

Aug 28th, 2005, 04:19 AM

anyways for me it was the one the only Steffi Graf
You can vote for Graf The Great in another thread called "Which player made you interested in tennis in the first place?(from older generation)"

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=143322

Dementirilenko

Aug 28th, 2005, 09:08 AM

Well, I am watching tennis since I am a child. In former times I liked to watch matches of Guga Kuerten, especially at his great time during the French Open 1997 and the following French Open - tourneys wich he has won. This was the time when I started to get interested in this great sport. But last year, everything changed. I saw the quaterfinals at the US - Open. Dementieva played against Mauresmo and Lena won in a three set thriller. From this moment on I strarted to become a big fan of her and I started to watch tennis as much as possible to watch her and to support her. So this was the time when I started to become a big tennis - fan.