People say that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are friend despite their rivalry. Do you think the same hold?

Question

true for Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic. Are they friend or are they just can't stand one another and will get into a catfight in the locker room when no one is around?

Answer 1

I think they are very respectful to one another... the commentators that are on tour yr round mention all the time how gracious and humblem both of them are and how they respect each other and it does seem like that.. sort of like Pete and Andre, they played so many matches, Pete one some and well as Andre yet besides their matches there was no rivalry off the court.

Answer 2

Most professional tennis players don't hang out with each other, for fear of losing their competitive edge over someone they know. However, you'd be surprised at often they get together at events, even big ones! There is a huge difference between being "friendly" and "friends"; almost all tennis players are friendly towards one another (McEnroe and Lendl are exceptions, though, from what I've heard, that has thawed over the years, once they stopped playing, professionally).

I don't think any of the women get into cat fights.

That goes for the men, as well.

As with any good professional athlete,

they let their skills do the talking

(Martina Hingis is a rare exception,

but we all know how much trouble her mouth got her into!).

FWIW, I have been a volunteer at a few pro tennis events, and have seen, met, and chatted with individual players and small groups of them. The vast majority are decent, friendly, and warm to each other and everyone else.  Some are shy, and some just want to be left alone; that doesn't make them "bad" or unfriendly. Without question, Todd Martin was the nicest tennis pro I've had the pleasure to talk to on a one-to-one basis. I won't tell you which current American male tennis player is among the worst, as it might shock you!

Answer 3

Oh yeah there totally buddies, but they have a huge amount of respect for each other for what they bring to the table.They've said themselves that their much closer than they were when they first met, but they always had that respect. As for Sharapova I honestly don't know if she has very many friends on tour because it's like when you look at her she has this "i'm better than you" look about herself, but maybe that's her game face and she might be cooler off the courts, it's hard to say.

Answer 4

I don't think Maria Sharapova has friends. When she talks and plays tennis it seems like theres always a stick up her butt.

Answer 5

yea i think they friends...but at the same time its all what happens on the court..as everyone say that nadal beat federer...lol go nadal! aka rafa

Answer 6

I disagree! If you watch the Tennis Channel sometimes they show the tennis players at parties hanging out, including rafa and roger. Of course its gonna seem like they are not friends, but whenever the atp or wta throws party i have seen video of sharapova chillin out with other players on tour.  Totally not true about fights.

Answer 7

skaizun please tell... i do hope its not james blake that man seems like such a ncie guy and all the other pros say so.

I dont think Ivanovic and Sharapova would be great mates, its pretty clear Jankovic and Ivanovic arnt friends (although they say nice things about each other its pretty clear theres no love lost). I have heard Sharapova keeps to herself alot in the locker room and is mainly surronded by her father and team. What shes like off court I don't know, but I think maybe she has a different personality to Ana? I can't see them being mates, they are just so different (go maria tho haha).

Answer 8

I agree with Jess, I believe they respect each other, but I don't think one would necessarily categorize them as friends. I saw an interview with Tommy Haas once where a reporter asked him if he is friends with the other guys on the tour. He said it's one thing to get along with the other guys, but it's important to keep a bit of a distance to retain your "edge" on court.

Answer 9

Would you want to hang out with Sharapova?

Pass the Mortein.

Answer 10

i dont know much about WTP, but for Rafa and Roger, they dont think of themselves as like arch rivals or anything like that. They think of each other like encouragement to play better and work harder. At least that is my opinion.

Answer 11

They have a lot of respect for eachother and their rivalry isn't a bitter one, but I think "friends" may be a stretch.

Answer 12

I think Roger and Rafa respect eachother but i doubt they would go to each other's parties and "hang out." Tennis players have one thing on their mind- winning. They don't want to befriend their rivals.