[sartrista7]

It was the Henin-Huber match which started me thinking on this. Justine's one of my favourite players; I think Anke is nice, but I've never particularly supported her. Yet, for purely and ickily sentimental reasons, I wanted Anke to win - her last tournament, before her home fans etc. I have a soft spot for Silvia Farina Elia in finals, even though I've never even seen her play, because she's had such bad luck in them. Venus is one of my faves, but (British mentality here, always go for the underdog) I always end up feeling sorry for her opponents and rooting for them to at least do better. Also, she's THE player to beat; if you beat her, it sort of signifies that you've arrived in the elite, so I probably wouldn't be devastated if she lost to an up'n'comer I liked. Regardless of what I feel about any particular top player, it's always great when the underdog wins - you just know that someone's day has been made. Lori McNeil against The Goddess Steffi at Wimbledon '94 - heartbroken for Steffi, esp. as I'd just got into tennis, but very easy to be happy for Lori. I love it when 'unknowns' pull off shock wins in front of huge crowds! <br />Iva's my ultimate fave, but I'd support Elena D/Lina (also faves) against her in a final, as neither have won a tournament.

And when your fave plays someone who needs the ranking points much more than she does. I always root for Tammy Tanasugarn at Wimbledon (and she never lets me down! )<br />Any thoughts? Would you support your fave regardless of their opponent/circumstances?

 

[cooolconchita]

i really felt sorry for patty schnyder against conchita at the fed cup finals of 98 where she lost 9/7 final set. i've always liked patty, but i felt sorry for her because martina was winning all her matches easily, and patty losing!

 

[cynicole]

sartrista7 - Great topic! I've been thinking the same thing.

It appears like I've been cheering against little Justine Henin a lot these past few weeks...and she's THE reason I've been paying this much attention to tennis this year. I haven't been this enthusiastic about tennis since Edberg was playing.

In a slam situation, I usually cheer against any player who already has a slam. When it's a match-up between two players who already have slams I go with either who has fewer or who doesn't have that particular title yet (like if Hingis were playing Pierce at Roland Garros, I would cheer for Hingis and at Wimby it would be vice-versa).

And there are other factors. I usually go with the shorter players because 1) they're at a natural disadvantage and are usually the underdog, 2) they're usually more creative and thus, for me, more interesting to watch and 3) affinity because I'm 5'2" and 3/4.

But there are times like when Hingis was dominant where I did cheer against her quite a bit. It gets boring when the same people keep winning. I much prefer this year...except I wish two other people picked up a couple of the slams so that we'd have another situation with four different winners.

This also means that I'm not going to be cheering for Venus or Jennifer any time soon.

I cheered against Henin at Filderstadt in a couple of her matches because 1) Chanda Rubin needed the points and 2) It could've been Anke Huber's last match in Germany.

I cheered against Henin at the Championships because 1) It was Anke Huber's last tournament and 2) Because Serena Williams needed the points a lot more. (I mean, do you want to see another Serena vs. Justine 4th Round slam match? Henin's staying in the Top 8 and Serena could use a spot in there as well...even if it is at the expense of Amelie Mauresmo, not that I don't like Momo. I like her too and wish her the best in Fed Cup.)

And then there are situations where I just cheer for what I think would be a better matchup. The thing about supporting a player like Henin is that she has so many dimensions to her game that she matches up well against practically everyone. I'll watch every time she plays.

[ November 02, 2001: Message edited by: cynicole ]</p>

 

[irma]

I always rooted for Steffi 100% no matter the circumstances, I couldn`t even root for another person even if I wanted to too(not that something like that ever crossed my mind)

I like Serena a lot and I always root for her except when she plays Kimmy and I hope that will be sunday <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

 

[SerenasMelons]

Hmmm its wierd because Venus and Martina are my favorite players. But in 1999, when Martina was (sort-of) dominating, I always rooted for Venus. I remember the 1999 US Open Semi's, I rooted for Venus all the way. And she lost.

Flash forward to the 2000 US Open Semi's, Venus had won Wimbledon, and was on this huge streak, but I rooted for Martina in the Semi's. And she lost.

Between the two of them, I always support the one who is less dominant.

Otherwise, I always root for my faves, Hingis, the Williams, and Henin

 

[NejedlyKanepi]

when two players i like are playing i typically go for the lower ranked player, even if say i LOVE the higher and just really enjoy the lower. say for instance kournikova plays likhotseva or bovina, i will totally root for likhotseva or bovina even though it breaks my heart to see anna lose *tear*.

<br />the day juan carlos ferrero and max mirnyi play eachother i will cry. because i wont know who to root far.

its so hard to have favs go against eachother

additionally, i would not root for myf av player if he/she is being excessively cocky and bitchy or rude and you know...

 

[moon]

I normally go for Serena, Venus, and Monica, no matter who they play, and I HATE it when they play each other. I can deal a bit more if it's a final.

When Venus played Monica at Acura, I felt like I had touret's syndrome.

"Get that one Monica! Oh no Venus!"