Up, up and away; Tennis professionals’ superhero alter-egos
Originated in the United Kingdom in the 1800’s, the game of tennis undoubtedly progressed in every aspect. Initially carved out of wood, sports companies are now producing technologically advanced racquets of all sorts. Apart from which, classic attire has
been substituted by ostentatious, nifty clothing.
With improved tennis court surfaces, monstrous stadiums, huge enough to hold over 23,000 spectators and players that ended up changing the game of tennis forever, the sportspeople are justified to feel at least a bit like superheroes. – After all, everybody
has a second self.
Presently ranked no. 1 in the World, Spain’s Rafael Nadal is nothing short of ‘Superman,’ for obvious reasons. At the age of 24, Nadal currently has nine grand slam singles titles to his name apart from his 2008 Olympic gold medal and a record eighteen Association
of Tennis Professionals tour titles.
Recently, the Spaniard came to be the youngest ever sportsman to bag a career grand-slam in the open era. Additionally, Nadal is the second player to have completed a ‘Career Golden grand slam’ after USA’s Andre Agassi.
Always dressed to kill, we now know Nadal’s attire is merely a disguise to cover up the Superman outfit underneath his clothes. Shh.
The name’s Federer, Roger Federer. Classy, elegant and composed, Federer is undoubtedly the ‘James Bond’ of tennis. With a career grand slam, a record 16 grand slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, a few ATP titles here and there and after having beaten Pete
Sampras’ record, Federer has successfully achieved all he’s ever wanted in terms of his career.
The legendary sportsman is now bent upon bagging a minimum of four more titles before retirement. Like Bond, Federer will probably strike in the most subtle of ways, in style.
Formerly ranked no. 4 in the World, Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro is quite evidently the ‘Batman’ of tennis. Del Potro triumphed through the 2009 U.S. Open as the underdog, only to defeat Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. Furthermore, the Swiss Maestro
Roger Federer was made to face defeat at the hands of the young Argentine in the final of the championship.
After being missing in action for most of the season due to a wrist injury, the ‘Dark Knight’ is expected to return for the 2010 Thailand Open, to be played in the month of September.
Notably known as the ‘Court Jester,’ Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is currently ranked no. 2 in the World. The sportsman is most similar to ‘The Joker’ in a not-so-morbid way (Well, at least unless he’s been defeated.)
Famous for his on and off court buffoonery, Djokovic presently only has one grand slam singles title to his name. “Why So Serious?” – Because you need to get serious Djoko. Your antics will only get you so far.
6 ft 2’ tall, Fernando Verdasco is a Xerox of ‘Zorro’ in the world of Tennis. The Spanish hunk showcased his abs in a Calvin Klein advertisement, apart from being featured in GQ Magazine. Currently ranked no. 8 in the World, Verdasco has five career titles
to his name.
Apart from concentrating on improving his game, with his s**y Latin accent, similar to that of Zorro’s, Verdasco is known to leave women spell-bound with his captivating looks.
Considering the fact that the professionals are presently training for the 2010 Thailand Open that looms, one could expect a whole lot of action while the tennis superheroes ‘whoosh’ around the court. – Boom, Pow, Wham.
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