I loved Sampras too. Just the way he played and moved around the court still amazes me. He would be at the baseline one minute and at the net in the next, and you almost wouldn't even see him transition. Just an amazing player to watch. I loved his personality too; unassuming, yet totally confident. An amazing man.
Andy is such a tactician, a magician if you will. He's so good at what he does that many people miss the nuances of his game. He plays tennis like an analyst, like someone who understands the game on a very base level. It's like he knows what to do in a given moment.
I prefer watching Andy play the other Big 3, because that's when you can really enjoy his game. I love his personality and humor too. He seems like a genuinely nice person.
So, for me it's the way the play the game, and the way they talk about the game they play.
I like the game first too and personality comes second to me but I can't warm up to a player who I find a bit too self-centered I suppose. But mind you, I am not judging Federer based on who he truly is because all I know, he could be a wonderful person in real life. I am only taking what I see on court and in the presser. But my dislike of him is nothing intense by any means. There were lots of times when I ended up rooting for him and even felt for him on occasions. I do believe he's a great player despite negative H2H vs Nadal. He's done a lot to get overshadowed by just one H2h.
And yes, it's always lovely to watch Andy vs the top 3 as he tends to bring his best if he could against them, but there are also a handful players I like to see him against as they too bring out the best in Andy.
Sampras was a very unique player IMO because he had one too many signature shots to be quite unique. I don't think we'll see him anything like him again.
And thanks for being lovely about my players. I am glad you enjoy them too.
