Tennis players have idols too

The tennis players we admire today also had their idols as children. All of them were inspired by one or more tennis players who motivated and helped them improve in pursuit of their dreams of becoming professional tennis players and reaching the top.

Through the years, Roger Federer has been the example of many young tennis players. Some as Alexander Zverev or Matteo Berrettini, who admired him from a very young age, surpass him today in the ATP ranking.

“Roger has always been my favorite tennis player. Because of how he played the games, it seemed that it was very easy, as if he had fun with the ball. He was the one I liked to watch the most,” says Zverev for the Tennis TV channel. “He never seemed to exert himself, he played so soft and his feet were so light, that the first time I played against him, I thought: What is happening here? “, says the Italian Berretini. The Swiss also the idol of Denis Shapovalov. “I have always wanted my style of play to be similar to his,” says the Canadian.

Andrey rublev it is clear: “Rafael Nadal”. The Russian saw in Rafa an example to follow, but … And Rafa himself? The answer is none other than Carlos Moya. The former Majorcan tennis player is, in fact, Rafa's own coach since 2016.

Some tennis players sweep for home, like Stefanos Tsitsipás: “Konstantinos Economidis, was the only Greek tennis player who was at a high level, he was ranked 112th in the ranking and he was the main reason I got hooked on tennis. “Others, like Auger-Aliassime they dreamed of reaching a peak, where at that time there were not many tennis players of color. “I used to like that very much Tsonga. At that time there weren't many colored players on the tour. He and Monfils were probably the only ones and I saw myself identified in him and in his game“.

“When I was 9, Marat Safin he won the Australian Open by beating Roger in the semifinals, and Leytton Hewitt at his own home. It was spectacular, “he says. Medvedev. A Leytton Hewitt whose compatriot was an idol Alex de Minaur. “When I grew up I liked two tennis players Lleyton Hewitt and, curiously, Davydenko, his movements were really fast. When I was little I cut my hair to be as short as he is, “he says.

Nisikhori, instead he was dazzled by the tennis of Hicham Arazi. “When I was 11 years old I started watching tennis and I went to the Japan Open, he was playing and it was very fun to watch him play,” explains the Japanese.

Andre Agassi, idol of the masses

The American, winner of all four Grand Slams, inspired many of today's great tennis players.

“When I was very little, I really liked Agassi, because he was different. I liked his personality, it was him who made me love tennis. I always wanted to emulate him and look like him, I always bought his clothes, even when he wore his famous ponytail, my parents bought me a cap with a fake ponytail to look like him “, explains the British Andy Murray.

“Andre Agassi was my favorite tennis player,” he says. Cameron norrie. “He was a great server and his games were great,” he adds. Too Dimitrov He was a fan of his: “He was my favorite tennis player forever, I remember seeing him in many finals.”