How can anyone hate Roger Federer?

There's probably several camps of Federer haters. The most outspoken seems to be the Nadal contigent. They seek to elevate Nadal by tearing down Federer as much as possible. They cite their head-to-head record as evidence of Nadal's overall superiority. They don't look at career accomplishments or understand the concept of a bad match up. Kind of like arguing Krajicek or Lleyton Hewitt was better than Sampras based on head-to-head records.

That brings us to another camp of Federer haters. That's those who support a GOAT candidate. Sampras, Borg, Laver, Lendl, Agassi and Connors fans. Their preferred method of attack is to cite the "era" and "quality of competition". When Federer wins decisively it is because his competition is weak. When Federer wins a close match it is because his opponents are chokers. The believe that although seemingly tennis is constantly evolving and becoming more international the opponents in past eras were somehow superior and more plentiful.

Maybe the third most prominent group of haters is universal. There will always be those who hate success. This group has the habit of mistaking confidence for arrogance. They will twist around any words or actions Federer might take to paint him in a bad light and attempt to diminish his reputation.

I'm sure there's plenty of other reasons to hate Fed, maybe you don't like Switzerland or his head band or something.

Hahahahah!! you are sooo funny... Do you "met" him as many as Andy Roddick has? I mean, the guy actually "met" Roger 17 times, and he lost 15 times, and 3 of them in Grand Slam Final (Wimbledon 2, US 1).. If Roger doesn't exist, let's assume that Roddick already has 4 Grand Slam title.. He must hate him soooo much.. Actually, he's not.. He even said, "I'd love to hate you, but you're just too nice"... FYI, i'm not a fan of Federer, and if you're question was "do you love to see federer lose?", then the answer is yes.. but hate him, not at all, i respect him as a great champion... Nadal is the player that i like the most..

its not just a Federer issue, I've seen some pretty horrible things written about Nadal too. Sadly, for so many people, being a fan of one automatically means despising the other. Pretty stupid. We all have our favorite players as well as ones we're not so keen on. However, there are certain people on here who seem far more concerned with the players they hate than the ones they claim to support or the sport in general. They seem to use every question or answer they submit to spew hatred about certain players. They are so fixated on the players they don't like that they would be lost and their lives left empty and without meaning if their least favorite players were to retire. Being obsessed with your favorite player is one thing but being obsessed with a player you don't like is pretty pathetic.

The first thing you said is: 'i'm not one of those stupid fans, dont worry'. But immediatly after you say that you find it reasonable that someone can hate Nadal on the basis of his way of dressing, his style of play, etc. I can't understand it really guy... so let me tell you that you're wrong. I'm Nadal fan but that doesn't mean I hate Roger... I do not hate him and I sincerely hope him to win the French Open as long as Rafa is out.

They both are the best tennis player ever for me and the only people I hate are those who waste their time arguing about who of them two are the best and offending the one they are not fan of... it's so annoying!!

Well, it's all a matter of opinion, really. Not everyone has to like him. No one should be calling anyone ignorant, stupid, dumb, etc. just because they dislike Federer. I really hate it when some people say that, it makes me and other people think "Oh great, thanks, now I'm a moron just because I think differently from you."

But the reason why I hate him, is because I think he's pretty arrogant and disrespectful. And he makes excuses sometimes and doesn't give credit to his opponent after losing. Ever since he became #2 he became really really cocky.. and he always makes rude comments about the other young players who can beat him (Djokovic and Murray especially). Just my opinion.

But on a positive note.. the only thing I like about him is his style of play, it's really graceful and nice to watch.

I don't hate Federer; I just have this preference in tennis whereby I root for the underdogs, which often means I will be going for Roger's opponent.

I can identify with Mr. Spontaneity's answer...I really disliked Federer and wanted him to lose "because he wins everything".

But now that he is #2, I want to see him come back and take over #1 again.

Part of it is that I really don't like Nadal, I think he is fat and ugly and he picks his butt. As far as his personality and sportsmanship, he is great.

Another thing is that Federer plays such a classy, refined, beautiful and smooth game that is a mixture of controlled power and finesse.

It really is joyous watching Federer play.

I think it is this last reason that won me over to the Federer crowd.

Being in the US, I am a Roddick fan, but I just find it hilarious that Federer has almost NO problem with Roddick's otherwise dominating serve. He just blocks it back with backspin.

Federer has the most amazing mental game I've ever seen....but even he can get frustrated when someone like Nadal comes along that you just can't totally figure out.

BW

I can't get how anyone can be a tennis fan and then claim to hate any player. They have brought so much passion, excitement and talent to the game I can only appreciate them all. Looks, grunts and clothes make hate understandable? Incorrect.

Most of these feelings come from trolls anyway.

Your reasoning only applies to a part of the reason why the haters hate.. Unless u name it, I can't bother myself to think of other reasons that make others hate Federer.. But I believe there are just some ridiculous or nonsense reasons

Envy