View Full Version : Do you have anyone to talk tennis with profoundly?
Maza1987
16-10-2011, 22:15
Essentially, what I mean is, whom do you talk tennis with in real life, if anybody at all? And I don't just mean in passing or dropped into a conversation, but serious down and dirty (lol) tennis talk?
The reason I ask this is because tennis is rather a marginal sport in the UK and not too many people closely follow tennis away from Wimbledon and do not have a deeper appreciation for the sport. Unlike football or even Formula One.
Whilst these days we have forums and Twitter to discuss with like minded individuals, there is nothing quite like talking pro tennis with another fan who is as knowledgeable as you on the subject. In my social circle there is only one person who is truly a tennis fan and I can talk to him about any aspect of pro tennis. I work in a health spa and this member comes in every Sunday night. When he comes in he spends more time in the reception talking tennis with me than he does in the gym or pool :laugh:. But we both really enjoy it. He also understands the simply superlative skill set (physical and technical) of Andy and there are not too many British tennis fans who, I feel, actually fathom or comprehend just how unique and talented Andy actually is.
To summarise, it simply makes me feel good every Sunday night when I can exchange my thoughts on pro tennis with somebody in real life. Nobody in my family is a mega tennis fan, nor friends or workmates. So it's a relief there is someone.
So do you have anyone to talk pro tennis with who is a true tennis nut? Or are you stuck with us e-buddies to converse with?
Thank you.
P.S. I hope I have posted this in the right section. :)
RoastLamb
16-10-2011, 22:27
I talk about tennis with my husband. A lot. Too much. All the time. It's a wonder he doesn't get sick of me.
And then he tells me off when I don't remember all the correct rankings. Tsk.
I also discuss tennis with some of the people I play with in my tennis leagues.
VamosVixs
16-10-2011, 22:31
There is one guy I work with and we always speak about tennis. No one else in the office is interested but they are pleased when Andy does well. I am so glad to have this place. :thumbup:
There's one guy at my work who's in to his tennis, but we don't get a chance to talk a lot as we are so professional...
Golden Lady
17-10-2011, 08:07
All I can say is thank heavens for my Mum! Our weekly phone chats always include much tennis discussion. She got me into the game when I as a child and we've shared the joy ever since!
However, it's so good to be able to share with you guys every day.
VamosVixs
17-10-2011, 12:14
There's one guy at my work who's in to his tennis, but we don't get a chance to talk a lot as we are so professional...
:laugh:
supergran
17-10-2011, 15:09
Husband does listen to me but not as closely as he used to!! Have good chats with son occasionally and with his mother-in-law who is a long-standing tennis fan and supporter of Andy. But as I don't see them regularly rely on here really. Daughter in U.S is not interested and I get the impression she thinks my support/interest/passion re Andy is a little unseemly!! Good thing she doesn't see me at matches!!
My husband and daughter aren't particularly interested - they accept that every so often I get excited about things (like yesterday!)
My son is definitely more interested, but he doesn't live here any more, so we exchange emails at the important moments!
My husband is as much a fan of tennis as I am now, and he particularly likes watching Andy play. He likes Rafa too but cant stand the Joker or the Goat. He is very protective of Andy and rails constantly against the media when Andy is unfairly treated. My daughter enjoys tennis too and we have been to Wimbledon, Queens and Davis cup together. However she is a Federer fan and we have many lively arguments although of late she is only able to back them up with Fed's PAST achievements.
Sallydaisy
17-10-2011, 17:55
None of my family or friends are really interested in tennis - hence why I used to trek off to lots of Davis Cup and ATP events on my tod. The internet has really helped and I've followed a few forums over the years to keep up with what goes on. It's made a huge difference and I've made a bunch of lovely friends especially over the last 4 years via am.com and it's various forums!
:thumbup:
I find it funny when I go to the bank to pay DC money into the AMFF account. Sometimes the cashiers are tennis savvy and they look and say is that THE Andy Murray. When I say yes I usually get one of 3 options - either a long chat about how he's doing, one or two who say they can't stand him but stop in their tracks when I ask if they've met him and what did he do to them (ha!), or they look at me as if I'm mad!!!
It's incredible, and sad, how many people ONLY go on what they read in the papers about Muzzah (or worse, listen too closely to the pundits during Wimbledon!) and I've launched into a few people over their misconceptions.
:shamed:
It's always been the same though - despite what many think I can definitely remember much negativity about Tim and Greg and loads of British players before them. Unfortunately, there were so many years when British tennis wasn't good and only seeing Wimbledon (minus a Brit in the 2nd week) just reinforced the general view that it wasn't worth following.
I'm not deterred, never have been, but having access to a forum like this is a godsend and I'm really happy you're all here to share tennis chat and banter (and the sofa on Murraycoaster days!).
:grouphug:
Lets just say my hubby endures my tennis talk , hes not a fan at all . He tries to show a bit of interest , but thats more for the " happy wife , happy life " thing I think
My oldest son loves it , and was the one who got me watching Andy when he was a junior.
Both my boys went to Rogers Cup with me , youngest is a Fed fan :facepalm: and the older one is an Andy fan like me. :cheer:
My daughter has no interest at all , but I am proud to say that her little one , my 2 year old grandaughter will tell you who gramas fav player is :big grin:
None of my friends are into tennis at all so I don't talk about it to them. Thankfully my mum does like tennis (and Andy is also her favourite player) so I can talk about it with her. Unlike me though, she can watch Andy matches without any nerves!
hfwardhouse
18-10-2011, 11:22
My friends all think I'm mad - apart from Tina who comes with me to DC and Wimbly if we get tix. My Mum's interested (politely), Mr HFW watches with me sometimes and sighs if it coincides with something he wants to watch, and Minnie's enthusiasm is growing again - especially now she's playing herself!
The forum and the friends I've made in the last few years, has been absolutely brilliant - don't know what I would've done without you all - love it!
Like Sally, when I pop into the bank one of the tellers usually stops what he's doing to have a natter about Andy - he's been to Wimbledon too!
RoastLamb
18-10-2011, 13:56
One of the women I play tennis with on Tuesdays, her hubby took her for a surprise 50th birthday pressie to Wimbly in 2008. And she got to see Rafa play, lucky duck. They own a sports restaurant and put up a whole window of Wimbly framed photos and goodies she picked up there. She loves to talk about pro tennis (she loathes Djokovic though so I wince sometimes) and often talks about it between points and can totally put me off my game. :rolling:
VamosVixs
18-10-2011, 14:00
My mum likes tennis but watches the womens tour all the time, she never watches the mens.
My husband humours me by pretending to listen to my incessant tennis chat but he only really gives half an ear - does that all the time mind you, not only when I'm talking tennis! The strange thing is that, whilst I only played tennis at school and never even made the team - he played at county level and even played the final of the Schools' Trophy at Wimbledon where he lost to Mark Cox! You'd think he'd show a bit more interest wouldn't you? All the rest of my family just laugh at 'Mum's Murray obsession' so it's great to have so many like-minded friends to talk to here on the forum!
My other half is interested but not passionate - he saves that for rugby (mind you that's religion!). Some of my colleagues in work know I'm a tennis and Andy fan and do make an effort to follow what's happening to him. I have to be careful not to drone on if they do start a tennis conversation but I think I've got myself under control these days!
I was an only child and my dad played at county level but by the time I was 9 he was 44 and apparently "too old" to play with me and none of my friends were interested. I was on the school team but not terribly good. Two girls played Junior Wimbledon and the school made it to some sort of semis or final at Wimbly too - there I spotted Fru MacMillan and his doubles partner (whose name escapes me) practising for Wimbly itself and I got and still have their autographs!
supergran
19-10-2011, 22:56
Had this conversation re Frew in Glasgow. His partner was Bob Hewitt. Remember them well. My long-term memory is excellent!!:laugh:
JAMES4578
20-10-2011, 06:48
Whilst I know a few who like tennis, they certainly don't have the same passion as myself so I'm very gratefull I can discuss things online and this place is fabulous! Parents did watch Wimbledon for instance quite a bit when I was younger but had a lost a bit of interest for a while before Andy came along. Whilst they will watch quite a few of his matches, certainly wouldn't stay up to the small hours! I did find out through a former colleague that someone who works in the same building is a big Murray fan who went to the US Open. However, we don't work in the same section and I don't actually know them personally.
I don't go to the bank very often but was there recently for financial advice and obviously my interests came up. The adviser seemed to be quite interested band was pleased when I informed them Andy had beaten Nadal though seems to be under the impression that the Japan Open was a major!
RoastLamb
20-10-2011, 12:28
So funny that some of you have had bank tellers talking to you about tennis. I was at the dentist a few months ago and for some reason got talking to the receptionist and turns out she is an AVID Rafa fan and very knowledgable about tennis. Had a great chat.
supergran
20-10-2011, 13:06
I actually have talked to my GP who is a tennis fan. I don't see him very much though but when I do he always asks me about tennis tournaments and Andy.
JAMES4578
20-10-2011, 14:36
Sometimes my GP has asked me about tennis. He mentioned before that his mother in law goes to Wimbledon but that he had never been invited.
david1610
20-10-2011, 15:01
It's incredible, and sad, how many people ONLY go on what they read in the papers about Muzzah (or worse, listen too closely to the pundits during Wimbledon!) and I've launched into a few people over their misconceptions.
:shamed:
:grouphug:
Put it like this, I was one of those who was in total shock when the old forum went down. This is where I can talk about Andy Murray. I have a father of a friend of my son who follows the results in GSs and Masters and who is not anti-Andy but considers him to be mentally frailer than the other three in the top four. Otherwise, not really. My kids just about put up with Dad's obsession though sometimes would like more attention when Andy is playing. But at least I realise that.
Oh and one of the best things about living in Portugal is not having to see the tabloids. I used to teach English to journalism students here and they were very impressed with how many British people read a daily newspaper - until they saw what some of those newspapers are like. Bit like the BBC. Some of the best bits tend to become known when you live abroad! But this is in danger of becoming a commentary on (literally) insular GB :)
RoastLamb
20-10-2011, 15:20
I think my kids are like yours, David. :rolling:
david1610
20-10-2011, 16:00
I think my kids are like yours, David. :rolling:
I must admit it had crossed my mind :) I have not told mine about your ice cream treats when Andy wins though.... :)
Had this conversation re Frew in Glasgow. His partner was Bob Hewitt. Remember them well. My long-term memory is excellent!!:laugh:
Show off..........erm did we meet in Glasgow???? :big grin: I remember the convo but coudn't remember who it was with!!! :shamed:
supergran
20-10-2011, 21:39
Show off..........erm did we meet in Glasgow???? :big grin: I remember the convo but coudn't remember who it was with!!! :shamed: Wonder why my dear?:wino:
Maza1987
20-10-2011, 22:21
I don't go to the bank very often but was there recently for financial advice and obviously my interests came up. The adviser seemed to be quite interested band was pleased when I informed them Andy had beaten Nadal though seems to be under the impression that the Japan Open was a major!
"Errghh, yeh mate, a major. Yep our Andy is a grand slam champ now". That's what you should have said.;)
I actually have talked to my GP who is a tennis fan. I don't see him very much though but when I do he always asks me about tennis tournaments and Andy.
That's probably a good sign. :)
RoastLamb
20-10-2011, 23:04
I must admit it had crossed my mind :) I have not told mine about your ice cream treats when Andy wins though.... :)
Well, that's coz you're a good Dad who doesn't resort to bribery to keep the kids quiet during those all-important Andy matches. :shamed:
Speedy Hawk
23-10-2011, 10:29
Nope, just on here for me. My grandparents are casual tennis watchers. They watch and know a bit about tennis but they don't talk all little details like ranking, stats, how Andy plays, etc.
Well, that's coz you're a good Dad who doesn't resort to bribery to keep the kids quiet during those all-important Andy matches. :shamed:quite right threats are a far more effective method
supergran
23-10-2011, 13:42
quite right threats are a far more effective method Wow...love your avatar J. I am in awe!!:worship:
It's certainly a lot better than the one I commented on the other day! :lol: (although personally I'm not keen on the fast moving ones as they make me feel seasick)
It's a gif.t that he has...
I really don't have anyone at home to talk to about tennis. :sad: Hubby says the right things at the right times but really doesn't care for tennis. Sons put up with mums obsession. Mum talks about it & watches when he is on at a decent time but doesn't understand all the talk.
Hmmm - on the bright side, there are two guys who I have met through work who actually understand tennis and so on the rare occasions I meet them we can talk tennis. :clap:
One is a bank guy (must be something about bank personnel, speaking as an ex-banker). He is one of the most polite, nicest guys I have ever met. :big grin: (Bonus is that he actually likes Andy, although he could just be saying that as part of being polite) The other is the copier guy who I only see when we need to talk contracts or problems.
And J I love the avatar as well. :thumbup:
I don't know anyone away from the forums who is at all interested in tennis rankings, statistics, etc. The people I know are probably fed up with me always talking about tennis!
It's a git that he is...
Harsh but fair. SG will probably correct your grammar ;)
VamosVixs
23-10-2011, 18:08
Harsh but fair. SG will probably correct your grammar ;)
:laugh:
It's a git that he is...Harsh but fair. SG will probably correct your grammar ;)
:rolling: :rolling: :rolling:
Personally, I think editing quotes should be banned!
I'll let you be the first to stop doing it then :shades:
I'll try to be the first to stop doing it then :shades:
Good stuff. I'll be second!
Good stuff. I'll be second rate!
:rolling:
VamosVixs
23-10-2011, 20:42
:rolling:
WimbledonAce
23-10-2011, 20:53
I voted for the dumbed down answer but that's not strictly true but closest to what is. I have 1 friend at work who is fairly au fait with tennis and knows a good variety of players eg not just the top 4. We have quite a good discussion most weeks. There are a few others at work who show interest but their knowledge is flakey to say the least (eg did not realise that Roddick and A-Rod are the same person!) so I don't spend a lot of energy there. I have had to be a bit feisty on occasion too with the anti Andy people - I think they have learnt their lesson and don't comment anymore. Then I have my parents who I converted some years ago and they are prob more in the loop than me these days as have sky etc and can follow it all the time. Of course I taught them well so they know to support Andy at all costs and always refer to Federer as Evil Fed, hehe.
When I am staying at my Dad's he just grumps about Andy, when he reads negative stuff in the press. He tends to think Andy is spoilt - no matter what I say. :sad:
supergran
24-10-2011, 14:59
Harsh but fair. SG will probably correct your grammar ;) I wouldn't dream of it!!:facepalm:
Hmmm, my younger brother enjoys coming to watch live tennis with me but isn't an avid follower of tennis otherwise. When I was younger I think my parents would humour my love of tennis. I remember after a woodies victory at Wimbledon my dad would say yeah I probably know all the scores of that tournament :p
I guess casual dumbed down tennis conversations with some work colleagues and a few friends. But none of them really big followers! Albeit sometimes they show an interest in coming to watch live tennis
So yeah it was through Andy, the forums and social networking that I had more people to chat to about tennis and to go watch with. Also now that I play regularly, I have lovely conversations with my friends and coaches there sometimes too :)
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