Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal: Why Fed's Fans Are More Supportive

Fans who have been following tennis for the past decade have been fortunate to witness two of the greatest men ever to pick up a racket play against each other and feature in one of the most important rivalries of all time.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are very much alike off the courts. Both are likable characters, have great respect for each other and carry their private lives in a low-profile and controversy-free manner.

Most importantly, they are great humanitarians who understand the importance of giving back to the community, running major and important charity activities.

On the court, however, they could not be more different.

The great Swiss plays classy, effortless tennis that makes it look like he is floating on the court rather than running.

If his tennis is to be compared to another activity it would have to be writing poetry or painting a work of art.

The great Spaniard plays rough and aggressive tennis, based on great physical conditioning and tremendous willpower that makes him the mentally toughest player on the tour.

Playing against Nadal is a nightmare, as players know they will have to win every single point of the match, and that he will never give anything away.

If Nadal’s tennis is to be compared to another activity it would have to a bull fight or a UFC matchup.

Such different players obviously draw different types of fans.

Roger Federer’s fans tend to be more appreciative of the technical aspects of the game and of the beauty of the show that such unique talent can provide.

Rafael Nadal’s fans tend to praise more the competitive side of the game and enjoy emotional battles and demonstration of fighting spirit.

A true Fed fan willing to mock a Rafa fan would say that he or she would rather admire a flawless forehand technique than a flawless “six-pack” of abdominal definition.

A true Rafa fan willing to mock a Fed fan would say that the “so-called” greatest of all time is also the Spaniard’s greatest customer.

Both players will be very hard to replace, each for his own unique reasons.

However, as much as it is unlikely to happen, the “production” of another Nadal is a more feasible task. If an athlete can commit himself to developing the same frame of mind and working as hard as the Spaniard does, it is possible that we will see this kind of tennis player in the future, after Nadal retires.

On the other hand, developing a talent like Roger Federer is no easy task. People with his kind of gift are born that way. Talent can not be created or developed, and the players’ and coaches’ jobs are to capitalize on it so that they can become the best they can be.

At the end of the day, Federer’s fans have to be more supportive because they know how difficult it will be to find another player of his caliber.

Furthermore, they know Fed’s career is much closer to the end than Nadal’s career. They sense the urgency to enjoy every moment and pray for it to last as long as possible.

Besides, even the most avid fans of Nadal's who manage to think with their brains rather than with their hearts—and who understand a little bit of the game—know that nobody plays tennis like Roger Federer.