See, I think Federer is an awesome tennis player, possibly the best there has ever been, however, I also find his newer matches boring. He was amazing when he went up against Sampras and Agassi; that raw intensity is something that I just don’t get to see much from him anymore, and that makes me sad. Because ANGRY, INTENSE Federer was awesome. OK, fine, his matches with Nadal are a thing of beauty.
And since I mentioned Sampras I just want to talk about how he and Agassi’s decade-long-rivalry made me fall in love with tennis. Their matches were phenomenon, and the two of them only decided to participate in the Davis Cup when both were guaranteed a position. They switched the position of no.1 several times within a year, and they always pulled the best performance from each other. This is like the stuff of EPIC. So very awesome.
In short; you are only as good as your competition. And neither Federer nor Marat was good competitors in this match.
Nadal vs Federer for the Finals. YES! They better attempt to kill each other in the match.
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chasethestars
chasethestars
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Oh and I just had to driveby-comment because of your remark about how competitors elevate each other's play; so true. Especially since my latest fandom is HnG? XD But, yes, of course it applies for all sports and games, and even life in general, I'd venture to say.
I'm currently watching the 1996 Sampras vs. Corretja US open quarterfinals, and that is what you call awesome tennis. Over 4 hours of game play, and Sampras vomitting and still playing. It was an awesome match.
HnG!! EEE! I LOVE HnG! I love it so VERY much! I re-read the manga on a yearly basis. And YES! Sports series have a special spot in my heart. I'll watch anything if it is even remotely related to sports. Boxing, go, tennis, bastketball, cooking, if it is a competitive sports I'm there.
The Rival is always the person that drive the character to be better. Every single opponent is a chance for the main character to grow and become stronger. Opponents are respected because without them there is no growth.
Gods, I CAN'T wait for the Final!
Yeah, I miss the awesome matches too! Last year's Wimbledon wasn't too bad? But you really need equals to have a great match, and our top two now are just too much at a disadvantage/advantage on their specialty courts.
Though the Australian was brilliant this year; watching Djokovic and Tsonga demolish the top 2? Whoa. And the final itself wasn't too shabby either.
I know!! My first manga/fandom/whatever ever was Slam Dunk, and since I've been a sportsperson for over 10 years now, sports fandoms will always have a special place in my heart. Heh. HnG is just.. no words. I really don't think it gets any better than that in terms of being a metaphor for life and the epitome of rivalry and partnership.
*fingers crossed* Hope!
Equals! Exactly. The matches are always so much more intense and interesting when the players with equal skills push each other to the limits. I know players have their preferred court; however, I think it has become truly ridiculous just how badly their game can go just because of the damn court.
Djokovic and Tsonga in the Australian Open was just sheer awesomeness. I just wish Tsonga's luck would get better, his list of injuries are really screwing up his chances of playing in tournaments. See, the other reason I was ticked off about the Semifinals was that Marat won against Djokovic yet did NOT perform against Federe. GRR!
SLAM DUnK! EEE! Oho gods, I CRIED my eyes out reading that series. Love it so much. Sports fandom appeal to me because it is populated by characters who loves a sport/game unflinchingly and with so much passion that it is their life. There is something so pure about their love and their passion that you just get caught up in it, and somehow, as you watch these people struggle to be better, to be the best you begin to fall in love with the sport, and when they lose, oh gods, when they lose it is crushing.
HnG made cry buckets, and yes, it is the perfect metaphor for life, rivalry and partnership. The level of commitment, sacrifice and passion is just awe-inspiring. HnG works for me because while Hikaru and Akira have talents, they worked off their ass to be better. Hikaru pretty much give up his friends and his childhood for go, and Akira, well Akira gave up everything for go at a very early age, and these boys, these boys will bleed for go if they have to. And it is the sort of passion I want from my sports series.
HOPE!
(ETA: If you are looking for a sports series to watch I recommend the Hajime no Ippo anime series, the sports in question is boxing. It is a sports series that just hits EVERY SINGLE button a good sports series should. I cried, I laughed, and heart was hammering against my breast cage during the final match. I consider it my favourite sports anime series of all time).
I loved their match! They were both hitting absolutely ridiculous shots!
We all know that Safin is supremely talented. Unfortunately, he's so damned inconsistent that it just.. sputters and dies when he faces the best. There's also a case to be made for how the older pros who've been around longer and had more opportunities to have their ass kicked by Federer are more intimidated and mentally blocked when playing him these days. Because, yes, what a waste to have beaten Novak and then failed like that.
SD was also my first yaoi/slash fandom. *g* Ah, good times. And Deep Purple, the SenRu dj by Prin, is gorgeous. Well, you've summed up the essence of sports manga better than I could ever put it, so what else is there for me to say? Heh.
HnG is.. On a more frivolous note, I was talking to a friend about it and she, who's never been in fandom, noted the homoerotic tension between Hikaru and Akira. Glad to know that it's not our slasher tendencies that're biasing our judgement! But, really, I love the boys; go is their life. And each other, of course. How can anyone not adore and respect and fangirl over people like that?
(I've been hearing things about it, I seem to recall. Thanks for the rec!)