Are Tennis Players Underrated In Terms Of Athleticism?

[Vragrant]

Its not exactly a niche sport, very popular worldwide, but you never really hear them mentioned among great athletes compared to other sports.

I was watching the Australian Open, and the speed/agility/hand eye coordination demands are truly intense.

Also you have to have an unreal anaerobic capacity. Some of these guys are out there playing high intensity for more than 3 hours! Over 3 hours running diving jumping serving and returning 100 mile/hr grenades.

[eriX]

is Federer not considered one of the greats in sport?

[B-Low]

Serena Williams is one of the more famous individual athletes in America (or at least she was at her peak). She's always in Gatorade commercials, on magazine covers, has millions upon millions in endorsements, and I'm pretty sure she's been nominated for/won Female Athlete of the Year multiple times

The big-named tennis players are always considered great athletes. Problem is tennis just isn't that popular so there's only a few that get mainstream attention

[mr.big35]

I have played tennis it takes a toll on your body especially on your fore arms.

[KevinNYC]

Its not exactly a niche sport, very popular worldwide, but you never really hear them mentioned among great athletes compared to other sports.

I was watching the Australian Open, and the speed/agility/hand eye coordination demands are truly intense.

Also you have to have an unreal anaerobic capacity. Some of these guys are out there playing high intensity for more than 3 hours! Over 3 hours running diving jumping serving and returning 100 mile/hr grenades.

The issue is agility and hand-eye coordination are vastly under-appreciated when people talk about athleticism. People talk about Wayne Gretzky as an amazing hockey player, but how many people talk about him as one of the most elite athletes ever.

[B-Easy8]

Pretty sure throughout the majority of the world people know that tennis players are elite athletes.

Some matches go upwards of 5 hours. To do that and still hit the ball that hard is ridiculous.

[sundizz]

Well, I think it is because their athleticism is not as important as their skill.

A very skilled tennis player will almost always put a beat down on an athletically superior opponent.

Basketball: 5'7 pretty skilled and normal athleticism vs. 6'5 barely any skills but athletic.

In a game of 5 on 5 (in an intramural leage) most times the 6'5 guy would be as useful if not more than the 5'7 guy. He could rebound, etc etc. As long as he is decent his athleticism and size completely negates the skill (up to some level).

In tennis any 5'7 guy with good skills would put a beat down on almost any less skilled opponent. As long as you can make it through the match without dying (you need endurance) it's your skill that usually sets you apart. Serve speed is as much about technique as it is any other physical skill.

[ArbitraryWater]

Rafa and Nole are easily two of the greatest, most well conditioned and fit athletes in sports...

[alenleomessi]

[Andrei89]

In terms of Stamina, Tennis players are the most elite athletes in the world. 5 hours of Sprints...

[mr.big35]

In terms of Stamina, Tennis players are the most elite athletes in the world. 5 hours of Sprints...

they would make good soccer players.

[Budadiiii]

In terms of Stamina, Tennis players are the most elite athletes in the world. 5 hours of Sprints...

That's a laughable statement... tennis players are no where near being the most 'elite athletes in the world' ...

[Andrei89]

That's a laughable statement... tennis players are no where near being the most 'elite athletes in the world' ...

The fk would you know about it...

[Budadiiii]

The fk would you know about it...

Exactly what I thought... you just talking out of your ass per usual.

No one on planet earth thinks Tennis players have the best stamina of all athletes.

You've clearly never played sports.. have you? Or understand the dynamics of them.

Tennis players have the most stamina of all athletes.

****ing comedian you are guy.

[mr.big35]

That's a laughable statement... tennis players are no where near being the most 'elite athletes in the world' ...

can you play 5 hour long tennis match