August 17, 2010, - 10:01 am

Cool VIDEO: Roger Federer Shoots @ Human Target

By Debbie Schlussel

As a former avid junior tennis player (I got outta the biz in college), I used to be excited by guys like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Andre Agassi (his drug admissions have taken him down several notches in my mind, now).  They were exciting.  As a kid, my dad took me to see Jimmy Connors play Yannick Noah (of France via the Cameroon). It was fun to watch. They didn’t just have game. They had personality and spark. Now, the U.S. has no cool–or even successful–Americans in the top ten of men’s tennis.  Instead, dullards like Roger Federer dominate the game, and I’ve lost interest.  Federer even manages to make this really cool stunt–a modern day tennis version of William Tell’s act–a little duller than it should be.  Still, he definitely shows how accurate his shot is, using a human target in this video shot by his sponsor Gillette.  You gotta watch the second try, because you can’t really see it the first time around.

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17 Responses

I hummed the William Tell Overture while watching.

SG: Right on. I was thinking William Tell, too. Modern day, safer version, though. DS

Shy Guy on August 17, 2010 at 11:12 am

You looked up to McEnroe? That boy was an idiot and gave a bad name to Americans everywhere. He reminded me of a spoiled child each time he moaned and bitched about hitting a shot just outside of the line. A very bad sportsman.

Conners, on the other hand, was a much better role model.

O: Didn’t say I “looked up to” McEnroe. Just that he was exciting. And he was. As for role models, both McEnroe and Connors were spoiled brats who had tantrums. But they added excitement on the court (and off). DS

Oscar on August 17, 2010 at 11:24 am

Federer is a class act and quite possibly the most talented player in history of tennis.

McEnroe, Agassi, Noah, Becker, Nastasi, et al. were boorish man-childs who threw tantrums like toddlers both on-court and off and lowered the class of the game for everyone since.

100 proof American on August 17, 2010 at 11:31 am

He should have put an apple on the guys head and then knocked it off, to re-create the William Tell arrow shot.

Notice that he was NOT even wearing tennis shoes or clothes! I agree, he is as dull as watching paint dry, but you have to admit the Man does have game and incredible accuracy to be able to pull off that stunt/shot.

Who cares? on August 17, 2010 at 12:12 pm

Right up there with William Tell!

SHARIASUCKS on August 17, 2010 at 12:17 pm

The guy’s got great skills, but does anyone really care about tennis? It’s about as exciting as world cup soccer and golf. But, I would watch tennis given the choice between tennis and the WNBA (Woman’s Nappy-Headed Bull-Dyke Amateurs)

Jarhead on August 17, 2010 at 1:13 pm

DS WRITES: “I used to be excited by guys like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Andre Agassi (his drug admissions have taken him down several notches in my mind, now).”

WAY WAY WAIT, HOLD IT. Hold it. Hold on a second there.

Unlike the other ex-tennis stars of previous generations, Agassi not only admitted to his personal problems BUT ALSO is doing a most positive uplifting thing in his native city, Las Vegas. Andre’s charity continues to distribute countless mega millions to underpriviledged kids in the Vegas area for the sole expressed purpose of getting an education. Of making something of themselves.

In a recent interview, Agassi was quoted as saying “NO. It’s NOT a tennis camp. It’s for academics and academics only. It’s a school I’ve helped to create for kids who, while others may have given up on from an educational standpoint, I haven’t. They have potential and just need a helping hand. Thru my charity it expressly pays their way thru 1 thru grades 12. Actually, that’s one of the proudest things I’ve been able to accomplish, seeing my first class graduate a few years back with grades far higher than the city average. But again, it is NOT a tennis or athletic camp designed to create more athletes. I want kids to have the opportunity to receive the education that I didnt as a kid.”

Why is this bad and offputting and not commendable?

The point: Andre is putting his money where his head and heart is. Simple idea. Take urban Vegas kids regardless of their background and give them a chance to excell in the classroom. This is actually a conservative type of thing. It’s not looking primarily to the government as it is funded entirely with his own money as well as contributions from individuals.

Why using one’s own money to start a charter type school for urban kids to get a decent education, is something to put down and ridicule, I don’t know. Actually…it shows Andre has grown up a lot. Big time. More maturity than most jocks ever will be.

DS, PERHAPS…..conservative fat cats (i.e. Hannity, Beck, RUSH, Coulter, etc etc) should be using their own money toward this type of a project, to directly finance/sponsor those who cant afford a decent quality education the opportunity. Rather than merely hold phony “events” for soldiers kids, as you pointed out. They should be leading the way; they certainly can afford to.

But nooo….that’d be too easy. Too “compassionate”.

R: Agassi lied and got away with doing serious drugs. It’s ridiculous. And then he bragged about it in a book to make even more money. That’s despicable. As for Hannity and Beck, I’ve exposed what frauds they are on this site, esp. Hannity for his fake “charity” Freedom Concerts which make millions for his speaking engagement agent and himself to be flown on private planes, etc.
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/19630/big-business-who-owns-the-freedom-concerts-how-sean-hannitys-private-jets-luxe-suvs-suites-were-paid/
DS

Ron on August 17, 2010 at 1:31 pm

“As for Hannity and Beck, I’ve exposed what frauds they are on this site, esp. Hannity for his fake “charity” Freedom Concerts which make millions for his speaking engagement agent and himself to be flown on private planes, etc.”

YES, I gave you full credit for that. Just re-read it. You were cited. I knew that if I didnt, we’d hear about it.

“Agassi lied and got away with doing serious drugs. It’s ridiculous.”

You don’t seem to have much like….what’s the word…compassion, right? Like….one mistake…BAM. That person’s a scum forever. He already appologized. Not like he was the only druggie in tennis at the time. That’s life. You’ve never ever ever made one single mistake? Not at all?

“And then he bragged about it in a book to make even more money. That’s despicable.”

Lots of things are, true. The original interview wasn’t bragging, more of a setting the record straight, something he wasnt proud of. There’s a difference. So…difference of opinion. Agree to disagree.

HOWEVER.

You did NOT acknowledge the main point, SINCE his retirement, Andre has indeed poured his money into his foundation that helps urban vegas children receive an education. It is not a tennis camp, it is for children to receive an education.

If you have direct irrefutable evidence that Andre’s foundation is stealing money, not using it for what the stated purpose is, to have kids get a decent education, etc etc. Then that is a totally different matter.

If you dont have evidence, why not acknowledge that he’s more than atoning for his past mistakes by helping troubled kids get an education? That’s actually pretty commendable in the real world, court of public opinion, etc.

I can see why you sort of avoid calling out the other conservative leaders. I cant think of any off hand who’ve started a school for underpriveleged kids, and actually give a sizable portion of their money toward it. Nope. Can’t think of any.

Ron on August 17, 2010 at 1:47 pm

I am a tennis fanatic and it was AWESOME to finally read how bloody boring someone thinks Federer is. I like Federer, don’t get me wrong, but I have ALWAYS been bored by him and I remember him and his pretty ponytail before he became the greatest tennis player ever. He bored me back then too.

I have not watched it yet, but I was so excited by a tennis thread and someone with the guts to admit what a crashing bore Federer is. I do love to watch him play when someone is giving him a run for his $$, but I hafta admit I have not rooted for him to win in yonkers. I usually skip his matches.

Johnny Mac is the BEST tennis commentator. How lucky are we to have him? Have you ever heard the Brits commentate? ZZZZZZ. I was not a tennis fan when Johnny Mac was all the rage, but he delivers as a commentator. Oh, I loved him in the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” episode.

Tennis is in dire need for interesting personalities. It has become so boring and it’s a shame as it’s the best sport EVER!

Skunky on August 17, 2010 at 5:03 pm

Skunky – sorry, but tennis is not the best sport ever. Something much more entertaining to play is “How many muslim terrorists can I take out with a single 50 cal round?”

Jarhead on August 17, 2010 at 7:22 pm

    LOL, Jarhead! You’re correctamundo!

    Skunky on August 17, 2010 at 8:33 pm

How about the greatest American Tennis Player ever…Pete Sampras. He got my respect when he played Corretja while being sick and vomiting on the court. He kicked some Spaniard ass…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thBlpkJP9GY

Roger Federer is the greatest world tennis player because of ball control like that. He is not on the tennis court to win any Grammy awards. He also respects the tennis tradition for he always puts on a jacket after he wins a grand slam like Wimbledon.

Can’t wait for the US open. There will be some great matches worth my time. The Nadal vs. Federer thing is intriguing…..

Gino on August 17, 2010 at 8:29 pm

Andy Roddick boycotted the Dubai Tournament back in 2009 due to the Visa denial of Shahar Peer of Israel.
That is courage and class as far as I am concerned.

S: You are correct on that, and I covered it on this site. But he just fell out of the top ten in men’s tennis. I’m talking about the top players. If you’re not in the top ten, you basically don’t count in the tennis world. DS

Stephen on August 17, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    Debbie- Yes, Andy has fallen out of the top ten although I would not count him out….especially on hard courts.
    I would not be surprised to see him in the semi-finals at the Open.

    Stephen on August 18, 2010 at 12:16 am

Whats so wonderful about watching this video, is the fact that you are just as accurate at targeting Islamic, Muslim, zombies!

Amedeo Bianchi on August 17, 2010 at 11:42 pm

I have to say…. FAKE!

Sam on August 18, 2010 at 1:33 pm

Ok, I get why you are hating Muslims. I get it. Its us vs them thing. But why are you bashing on women in 1 out of 3 blogs? Women shouldnt do this, shouldnt do that!! Are you a dude in drag who hates women because they are really beautiful ?

Jalen on June 1, 2012 at 10:30 pm

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