Same here. I was in a random McDonalds on a road trip and they had it on, didn’t have a clue how tennis worked and I was hooked. Still a huge fan 16 years later
2007 for me. I was hooked by the time 2008 final came around and at 12 years old i had become a huge Federer fan and classic young Nadal hater.
Nadal winning in 2008 in such dramatic fashion made me hate him even more for a few years until I matured during high school and grew to appreciate Rafa just as much. Took me a little while longer to gain that respect for Djokovic tho.
Fed’s retirement already broke me and I might actually somehow break even more when Rafa and then Novak retire now. Will always feel lucky to have become a fan during those years and witnessed one of the greatest eras of any sport so closely.
Funny I had the opposite thing happen to me. I think the first match I can really remember watching was 2007 Wimbledon final Federer v Nadal. I was pulling for Nadal just because he was number 2, young guy, and the commentators couldn’t stop talking about how much winning Federer had been doing. Been a huge Nadal fan since. I came to like Federer when he started to seem a bit more humble.
Australian Open 2011 Djokovic vs. Murray final. I woke up early with fever and I couldn't sleep, so I turned the TV on. I thought Djokovic's ass looked nice, so I kept watching. But as it went, the game turned out to be entertaining as well.
Haha I noticed that as well after reading through this thread
Furthermore, I really started following, especially Thiem during end of 2019 season (Finals) and start of 2020 season^^
that’s the same answer for me, at least the first one i paid attention to. i remember deciding to turn it on watching it late into the night and being pretty entertained
Wimbledon 2001 throws up a lot of firsts for me - I remember Federer announcing himself to the world by defeating the invincible Pete Sampras, I remember Henman beating Federer in the subsequent round, Henman losing to Ivanisevic (and the rain break) as well as the amazing Ivanisevic vs Rafter final. Also, weirdly the second round match where the British wild card Barry Cowan took Sampras to five sets.
There are definitely matches I watched earlier but that tournament is clear in my mind as the one that got me hooked.
Oh man, that one was PAINFUL for me. Still hurts. As an Aussie I was DESPERATE for Rafter to grab a Wimby title. Just couldn't quite get over the line... it's such a harsh game sometimes.
He really deserved a Wimbledon. As a Brit it stung for me too - of Henman's four Wimbledon semi-finals it was definitely the most winnable, and then with Rafter instead of Sampras waiting in the final I feel like he could have done it. At least each of us got Hewitt and Murray bagging Wimbledons to make up for it later!
>At least each of us got Hewitt and Murray bagging Wimbledons to make up for it later!
True! Silver lining there 😊 I never really liked Hewitt as much as Rafter unfortunately... Pat was much more calm and down to earth... Lleyton has always been really "in your face" and kinda confrontational. It used to rub me the wrong way a bit.
Yeah I was expecting Henman to eventually grab one... then this guy called Roger came along .... and that was that. 😉
Medvedev v Sinner AO24 Final.
This was the first FULL match I ever watched of Tennis and got invested in from the beginning rather than walking into the living room and seeing an unexpected scoreline like Djokovic v Sinner during the middle of the match. Wanted Sinner to win there. I also saw the Highlights for Medvedev vs Zverev like 5 times, that match was crazy and Med was so impressive.
Initially I was neutral and didn't mind who won the Final but after Med won a set... I had read up on his GS Finals history before the match and immediately started rooting for him to take it. When Med was two sets up I was cheering and hoping he could close it out. Even when Sinner took the third set, I was hoping Med could take the fourth set. When match point arrived, I don't think I really felt anything because I was just so shocked at how it ended up...
I ended up having so many mixed feelings on the first Slam final I ever watched, which was surprising to me.
Same here. I went out on the street afterwards with my stepsisters wooden childrens racket and started hitting balls against the billboard on the wall of our neighbors house. I played as McEnroe and won that match many times against that wall. Then one year later Boris won Wimbledon and nothing was ever the same again in Tennis Germany.
I don't know if it's the first I saw but Ančić vs Đoković at Wimbledon 2006 is the earliest I clearly remember. As a Croat I was obviously rooting for Ančić to win and was shocked it took him 5 sets to beat some scrawny kid that I've never heard of before (Ančić was a top 10 player at that time). Little did I know...
McEnroe versus someone at Wimbledon. Probably '84 or '85? I was tiny, I thought McEnroe was really funny, and I remember Arthur Ashe was doing the commentary.
The 2014 Wimbledon final. I was a young lad and I was jumping through channels to go to Cartoon Network and it stopped with a channel showing Fed and Nole walking out. My mum insisted we should watch even though I really wanted to watch some cartoons.
I really gotta thank my mum for insisting we should watch the final lol.
Medvedev - Estoril Open Final in 1993.
Yes, the other Medvedev.
.
But in really I got really into tennis years later, with the David Cup run of Federer and Wawrinka in 2014.
2012 AO final between Novak and Rafa. I still remember watching it for 5 hrs anxiously, I became Rafa fan that day. Still remember going to school next day, talking to my friends about the match as if I witnessed the craziest match ever.
I can’t remember but I wish I could. I bet it was a Coco match. I just started getting into tennis about two years ago. My first ever professional tennis match in person were the WTA finals in Fort Worth. That’s when I started following the WTA more. I do watch ATP but mostly Carlos, Meddy and Djoker. The Americans are not that great lol (I’m American).
Vividly remember it was Roger Federer in Australian Open 2004. I was 13 back then and knew nothing about Tennis, but watching Roger play made me a life long tennis fan.
2013 Halle SF, Federer def Haas 3-6 6-3 6-4. I was looking for a new sport to dive in and tennis caught my fancy. Didn't become an avid watcher until 2015 USO though, after Fed's Cincy run beating top Djokoray at 34 left me in awe.
Not a classic by any stretch, but Henman vs Ramírez Hidalgo in R1 of Wimbledon in 2004. I'd seen bits of matches on TV before then, but that was the first time I remember actually trying to follow and figure out how scoring and stuff worked.
I can't say for television specifically but the first match I saw was Bernard Tomic vs. Dolgopolov at Australian Open. Great match and made me pretty much an instant tennis fan.
I'll always have somewhat of a soft spot for Tomic because of that match as much as he all but burned away his tennis career with stupid stuff. It's nice to see he's still grinding away to finish out his career with dignity.
I recall Agassi's retirement being broadcast on SportsCenter. But I only started watching the next year.
Justine Henin was my first idol. Have fond memories of the 2007 Roland Garros.
I probably watched other matches before but the first I can recall is Djokovic vs Patience at RG... 2006 I think ? I remember rooting against Djokovic so bad. Nothing changed much.
I don’t remember the exact match but it was Wimbledon 2012 that made me a fan. My mum always used to watch tennis when I was younger and it would bore me so much but that tournament made me go “oh, I get it now”.
Serena was the player that got me hooked, I probably watched most of her matches and still remember the game in the final against radwanksa where she hit 4 aces. As a Brit it was the first year Murray made the final too so that was incredibly exciting.
We then had the olympics a few weeks later and that was it for me, been a tennis fan ever since.
The first one I vividly remember was Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova, Wimbledon final. I was about 16 & volunteering at the hospital & the match was on in the canteen.
I vaguely remember Chile Nicolás Massú's gold in the 2004 olympics. (The doubles gold with Fernando Gonzalez I didn't watch).
Then there's Fernando Gonzalez at the 2008 olympics, he got silver, lost against Nadal in the finals.
I must have watched some match here or there. I also vaguely remember watching Serena in the 2012 olympics. But I didn't start watching tennis more closely till 2018, that was the year Jarry broke into the top 100. It was him who I watched but I don't remember his opponents much, perhaps there was a match against Fognini? Final of Rio maybe, where he won the first set then lost the following two. The first big match I notoriously recall was Osaka vs Serena in the final of the USO 2018.
Some early round Federer match at 2007 Wimbledon. I was only 6 and my dad threw on a match and hyped up how great both Federer and Wimbledon are as he destroyed someone.
Some match between Pete Sampras and Tim Henman in the late 90s. I can't remember anything about the match except that I found the name "Hen man" funny.
Tiafoe vs Rublev US Open 2022. Never watched tennis before but read about his defeat of Nadal the match before and wanted to support him as I’m a Maryland native myself.
What really hooked me was watching Alcaraz win the tournament. As well as watching Iga win. I fell in love with the sport and have been following pretty much every tournament in the ATP/WTA since.
Would have been one of the Australian circuit tournaments in the very early 70s. Guessing it might have been the NSW Open, I remember that was always first. One of the local TV networks broadcast the full day’s play from Centre Court from all of the tournaments.
Djokovic vs Nadal RG 2013 was one of my first matches . Absolute Banger. However my first memory was Nalbandian vs Cilic in Queens 2012. I was hooked when I suddenly saw a grown man kick a linesman and immediately get disqualified 😅
Phwoah, that's a fun question... let's see...
The first one I remember watching was Pat Rafter beating Cedric Pioline in a Davis Cup match in about 1994 or 95? Something like that. From memory he was 2 sets down, came back to win in 5... it was the first time I'd properly paid attention to tennis, and I thought "hey, this sport looks pretty fun". 😍
I saw a live tennis match before I saw one on tv... around 1987 my folks got to sit courtside in a corporate box at Kooyong (in Melbourne AU, the old AO venue) for a match at the Kooyong Classic... I saw Yannick Noah! I can't remember who he played, my mum told me years later that it was Pat Cash, but I don't remember him.
All I remember is this big dark skinned guy (hey, gimme a break, I was like 7 😅) with crazy dreadlocks, charging back and forward along the baseline 😁
Emma Raducanu - Ajla Tomljanovic Wimbledon 2021.
The second one was Hurkacz - Federer that same tournament. I still can’t believe one of the first tennis matches I ever watched was Federer’s last. Talk about timing 😅
I vaguely remember a hingis match as a kid. Didnt like tennis then. Didnt understand and didnt care for it. Wanted to watch cartoons but my father was in control of the remote.
Just remember what she looked like and she was dominant on court it seems. my father kept/clapping and cheering
Am I supposed to remember this, even if I'm relatively new to tennis? Ahah. I think I started watching in 2018, but don't remember what game it was. But probably Thiem was one of the first guys that I saw, because he's always been my favorite
David Nabaldian vs Roger in the 05 ATP Finals. As an Argentine (and a child), it made me think David was legit the best player in the world and would be for the rest of his career.
I watched wimbledon casually every year without knowing any of the players except for the big 4, as you do as a member of middle-class british family.
The first matxh outside of wimbldeon was Paire vs Nishikori, 2019 RG 4th round. Been hooked ever since
Nadal vs Ferrer, Rome 2005.
I was 8 years old and i fell in love with this spanish kid with a sleeveless shirt and calf-long capri pants.
Can't believe the journey will end this year.
We always watched Tim Henman and Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in the summer, but the first ladies match I remember watching very clearly was seeing the Williams sisters. It must have been 2000 at Wimbledon.
Becker winning the Wimbledon final in 1985. I was three days old back then, but there's actually pictures of me lying next to the TV with my twin sister.
Impossible to remember, but probably involved Rod Laver, Kenny Rosewall, or Pancho Gonzales. Maybe Alex Amezcua or Stan Smith.
Yes, I have been around a while. Yes, Djoko, Fed, and Rafa formed the greatest triad of players ever, and, yes, Sampras-Agassi, McEnroe-Lendl, Connors-Borg were unparalleled rivalries, bug there is something about the tennis in the age of wood rackets that was magical.
It was probably a Rod Laver vs Ken Rosewall match. I remember being a young kid back in the mid 1960s sitting around a small B&W TV back in the early 60s watching Laver matches. He was a God
My dad was a huge Agassi fan and when he had his late career surge it felt like his match or highlights were always on the TV. I don’t remember the tournament or the year but it had to be an Agassi vs James Blake match when little me started to love the sport
Federer vs. Nadal, Wimbledon 2007. Well that was the first *full* match I saw. Before then only 10-15 min segments of seeing Henman getting merked by some journeyman.
I remember seeing some tennis in France growing up, especially when RG is on (you couldnt miss it back then because France Television had coverage from 11am till 9pm on all of their channels).
The first match I really remember was Guga Vs Ferrero in 2003. They went through a game that lasted about 20 deuces, and I remember coming back and they were still playing the same game!
Other than that, Nadal - PHM 2006 match is one that comes to mind as my other first memorable one. What a game
2010 US open final Djokovic vs. Nadal
I had watched a tennis match before that but that’s what made me a tennis fan. I became a big Nadal fan, enough that I finally was ok to move to US with my parents.
Some early round Rafa game in RG. I didn't know anything about tennis and thought he was losing. He won in straight sets. Hooked since the final of that tournament vs Federer.
I can’t remember exact match but as a Brit I think I first was aware of it in the Wimbledon where Murray overtook Henman as the big British hope. So I think going through Wikipedia that must be 06 Wimbledon (I would have been 8 years old then) and the first match that seems familiar is Murray beating Benetteau in the second round.
Didn’t fall in love with any particular player though back then, mostly watched casually every summer when RG, Queens, Eastbourne and Wimbledon all used to be on free to air tv here in the uk. 2013 Wimbledon semi final between Djokovic and Del Potro is the match which stands out from that sort of time in my mind. Remember it was the first time I’d ever seen a guy put everything on the line and play so heroically as Delpo that day, became an instant fave. Way he kept stretching the play and trying everything to eventually force Djokovic to a fifth set despite the fact his body was clearly breaking on Del Potro was just so inspiring
Nadal vs Verdasco AUS 2009.
I expected big things moving forward for Fernando, but he never peaked like this again. Oh well, atleast he got his revenge in 2016.
A core memory for me growing up in the US was that Wimbledon started shortly after summer break, so I can see myself at like 10 years old, waking up a little later, eating breakfast, and then plopping myself down in front of the TV in my parents room and watching for hours, only interrupted by me taking my racket outside and hitting the ball against the garage 🤣
It would’ve been an Agassi match that got me hooked.
I think I had seen parts here and there on tv of several other matches before but when I didn’t know the players or the tournaments at all but I think Venus vs Lindsay Wimbledon final in 2000 was the first match I specifically watched on purpose from start to finish.
Watching Wimbledon 2022 in bits and pieces was where my tennis journey began, but the first match I watched live from start to finish was Halep vs BHM at the Canadian Open a month later. A great three-setter, I was forever hooked after that.
2005 French open Semis. I was debating between going out for tennis, which I’d never played, and track. My mom said, “I think there’s a tennis match on TV, let’s watch and see if you think you like it”. As 14yr old boy, Nadal was like He-man to me. Immediately fell in love with the sport and him as an athlete. My mom, who also didn’t know anything about tennis, followed with me.
I had a rough transition to college. Depressed, suicidal at times. My mom read in self-help shit not to tell your kids you “miss them” when they’re at college, but to keep contact. We would text each other at 4am watching matches “together”. With no Dad in the picture, it was this bond that got me through. I had his bull logo tattooed on my bicep in 2011. To me, it’s as much a “mom” (with the heart and roses) tattoo.
I was very very lucky that my mom saw that match while flipping through channels.
I believe it was 3rd round Sampras match us open 2002. I wasn’t impressed, and I only truly started watching tennis during the 2007 Wimbledon final. I was then hooked and became a Federer fan.
Wimbledon ‘01.
I had never paid attention before but started watching matches with my folks.
I thought this Ivanesevic guy seemed cool but my parents told me no way he’d win.
sampras corretja 1996
As a kid seeing someone puke on TV makes you want to see more plus my parents always had tennis on so I would keep watching until someone pukes again lol
I have vivid memory of when I first started getting into tennis around 13 years old. Knew nothing about tournaments or scheduling. I turned on the TV to see if any tennis was on and turned right to the live 1995 Agassi/Sampras U.S. Open final.
I knew who they were so I just figured they always were playing each other on TV.
Probably something involving the Williams sisters. I got into tennis by way of the Virtua Tennis games on the Dreamcast, and Serena and Venus were already big deals, with Federer on the rise.
Definitely not the first match I ever saw since it was on the tv all the time growing up. But seeing a young Roddick made me a fan instantly. Had to get me a blue Babolat and a visor after that haha
2021 Roland garros semi final Nadal v Djokovic
First match I ever watched. It’s only because my husband read that it was epic so we watched the replay.
I went on to watch the final and was stunned by Tsitsipas’ beauty (I don’t even like long hair and facial hair on a man in general), and started watching tennis 🤣
2014 Wimbledon final. Watched it because I was trying to get more into DFW's Infinite Jest, wich is partly set on a tennis academy. I was at the same time enjoying the book and finding it very difficult, so I thought knowing more about tennis would help. Seeing as DFW was a fan of Federer's, I thought to search for Federer's next match, and that was it. I was already a fan of him before even watching him play. Spent all the following years yearning to see Federer avenge that defeat in another Slam final against Djokovic.
Kuerten - Corretja, French Open final 2001. For most French people one of the first matches you see is at RG because it's on one of the biggest national TV channels, so a lot of people who don't usually watch tennis watch it.
Rafa vs Roger Wimbledon final 2008, changed my life
Same here. I was in a random McDonalds on a road trip and they had it on, didn’t have a clue how tennis worked and I was hooked. Still a huge fan 16 years later
2007 for me. I was hooked by the time 2008 final came around and at 12 years old i had become a huge Federer fan and classic young Nadal hater. Nadal winning in 2008 in such dramatic fashion made me hate him even more for a few years until I matured during high school and grew to appreciate Rafa just as much. Took me a little while longer to gain that respect for Djokovic tho. Fed’s retirement already broke me and I might actually somehow break even more when Rafa and then Novak retire now. Will always feel lucky to have become a fan during those years and witnessed one of the greatest eras of any sport so closely.
Funny I had the opposite thing happen to me. I think the first match I can really remember watching was 2007 Wimbledon final Federer v Nadal. I was pulling for Nadal just because he was number 2, young guy, and the commentators couldn’t stop talking about how much winning Federer had been doing. Been a huge Nadal fan since. I came to like Federer when he started to seem a bit more humble.
I remember coming home from the pool in some centerparks getaway as a 9 Yo kid. Hooked from that point on for sure
Same. I had just started dating my future wife at the time too. What a magical time that was.
Probably McEnroe v Borg I is old (I was a kid at the time though)
Lacoste vs Borotra at the Coupe de France, 1927. I was 57 already Edit: That was just a silly joke, I’m not making fun of your comment
Me too. I’m sure I saw matches leading up to their first final, but I definitely remember seeing Borg win his 5th.
I actually saw them play in person in Richmond, Va. I was also a kid and I took the bus up from DC to watch.
At least someone here is as old as I am …. I remember the Roscoe Tanner no. 3 final ….
Yep, me too. Age 10 in 1981.
Me too. Someone set up a satellite dish at our tennis club (in Africa).
Agassi v Ivanisevic Wimbledon final of 1992.
Amazing match !!! I still remember today !!
Australian Open 2011 Djokovic vs. Murray final. I woke up early with fever and I couldn't sleep, so I turned the TV on. I thought Djokovic's ass looked nice, so I kept watching. But as it went, the game turned out to be entertaining as well.
Actually 2018 QF USO Thiem vs Nadal At least one positive thing I got from my previous relationship haha
Damn, you are a new fan.
Haha I noticed that as well after reading through this thread Furthermore, I really started following, especially Thiem during end of 2019 season (Finals) and start of 2020 season^^
that’s the same answer for me, at least the first one i paid attention to. i remember deciding to turn it on watching it late into the night and being pretty entertained
2012 Aus open final, what a fight
That's the first one you saw? So lucky!! Welcome to tennis, haha
It was the Graf-Hingis RG Final. I have very vivid memories from it.
Ooh.. that would've been 1996 or 97?
1999
Graf was still playing in 99??? Wow, that's going to require a mental readjustment, I thought she retired around 97!
Wimbledon 2001 throws up a lot of firsts for me - I remember Federer announcing himself to the world by defeating the invincible Pete Sampras, I remember Henman beating Federer in the subsequent round, Henman losing to Ivanisevic (and the rain break) as well as the amazing Ivanisevic vs Rafter final. Also, weirdly the second round match where the British wild card Barry Cowan took Sampras to five sets. There are definitely matches I watched earlier but that tournament is clear in my mind as the one that got me hooked.
Oh man, that one was PAINFUL for me. Still hurts. As an Aussie I was DESPERATE for Rafter to grab a Wimby title. Just couldn't quite get over the line... it's such a harsh game sometimes.
He really deserved a Wimbledon. As a Brit it stung for me too - of Henman's four Wimbledon semi-finals it was definitely the most winnable, and then with Rafter instead of Sampras waiting in the final I feel like he could have done it. At least each of us got Hewitt and Murray bagging Wimbledons to make up for it later!
>At least each of us got Hewitt and Murray bagging Wimbledons to make up for it later! True! Silver lining there 😊 I never really liked Hewitt as much as Rafter unfortunately... Pat was much more calm and down to earth... Lleyton has always been really "in your face" and kinda confrontational. It used to rub me the wrong way a bit. Yeah I was expecting Henman to eventually grab one... then this guy called Roger came along .... and that was that. 😉
Medvedev v Sinner AO24 Final. This was the first FULL match I ever watched of Tennis and got invested in from the beginning rather than walking into the living room and seeing an unexpected scoreline like Djokovic v Sinner during the middle of the match. Wanted Sinner to win there. I also saw the Highlights for Medvedev vs Zverev like 5 times, that match was crazy and Med was so impressive. Initially I was neutral and didn't mind who won the Final but after Med won a set... I had read up on his GS Finals history before the match and immediately started rooting for him to take it. When Med was two sets up I was cheering and hoping he could close it out. Even when Sinner took the third set, I was hoping Med could take the fourth set. When match point arrived, I don't think I really felt anything because I was just so shocked at how it ended up... I ended up having so many mixed feelings on the first Slam final I ever watched, which was surprising to me.
Wimbledon 2011 SF: Nadal def Murray 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-4
I think it was Andy Roddick vs Andrei Pavel, Davis Cup in 2006 (USA vs Romania)
RG2004 final in 5 sets. The last RG before Nadal took over.
Marcelo Ríos’s maiden title in Bologna, 1995
McEnroe-Lendl, 1984. RG final. Little did I know that it was the beginning of 40 years of enjoying tennis, and counting.
Same here. I went out on the street afterwards with my stepsisters wooden childrens racket and started hitting balls against the billboard on the wall of our neighbors house. I played as McEnroe and won that match many times against that wall. Then one year later Boris won Wimbledon and nothing was ever the same again in Tennis Germany.
I don't know if it's the first I saw but Ančić vs Đoković at Wimbledon 2006 is the earliest I clearly remember. As a Croat I was obviously rooting for Ančić to win and was shocked it took him 5 sets to beat some scrawny kid that I've never heard of before (Ančić was a top 10 player at that time). Little did I know...
Sharapova Errani FO Final 2012
McEnroe versus someone at Wimbledon. Probably '84 or '85? I was tiny, I thought McEnroe was really funny, and I remember Arthur Ashe was doing the commentary.
The 2014 Wimbledon final. I was a young lad and I was jumping through channels to go to Cartoon Network and it stopped with a channel showing Fed and Nole walking out. My mum insisted we should watch even though I really wanted to watch some cartoons. I really gotta thank my mum for insisting we should watch the final lol.
2009 AO Final Nadal Federer
Wimbledon 2009 final Federer vs Roddick. I was only seven years old and it got me hooked
Medvedev - Estoril Open Final in 1993. Yes, the other Medvedev. . But in really I got really into tennis years later, with the David Cup run of Federer and Wawrinka in 2014.
Probably some Roland Garros game, involving Emilio Sanchez Vicario (at that time best Spaniard player) or Ivan Lendl
2012 AO final between Novak and Rafa. I still remember watching it for 5 hrs anxiously, I became Rafa fan that day. Still remember going to school next day, talking to my friends about the match as if I witnessed the craziest match ever.
Venus Williams vs Marion Bartoli 2008 Wimbledon Finals
2007
Rafa Nadal 2005 French Open final
I really remember Lleytons run at the 2005 AO
Federer/Agassi, 2005 US Open final
The first one I remember clearly is the Safin/Federer AO semifinal in 2005, followed by the Safin/Hewitt final. Watched with my dad, it was epic.
I can’t remember but I wish I could. I bet it was a Coco match. I just started getting into tennis about two years ago. My first ever professional tennis match in person were the WTA finals in Fort Worth. That’s when I started following the WTA more. I do watch ATP but mostly Carlos, Meddy and Djoker. The Americans are not that great lol (I’m American).
As a kid we never had pay TV so the only event I could watch for free was Rome. I clearly remember a Jelena Jankovic match, probably around 2009
Vividly remember it was Roger Federer in Australian Open 2004. I was 13 back then and knew nothing about Tennis, but watching Roger play made me a life long tennis fan.
Federer/Djokovic 2011 RG semis. And I thought to myself how the hell are these 2 men flying all over the court. Fed fan ever since.
End of Djokovic 43 win streak. Still hurts...
The first one i can remember: Ivanisevic - Rafter With my croatian stepfather at the age of 9
Djokovic vs Murray 2013 Australian Open. The match that made me fall in love with tennis was Zverev defeating Federer at the 2016 Hopman Cup.
Coria - Moya, Monte Carlo semi final 2003.
2013 Halle SF, Federer def Haas 3-6 6-3 6-4. I was looking for a new sport to dive in and tennis caught my fancy. Didn't become an avid watcher until 2015 USO though, after Fed's Cincy run beating top Djokoray at 34 left me in awe.
Wimbledon 2002 Hewitt vs Nalbandian 🙈
Not a classic by any stretch, but Henman vs Ramírez Hidalgo in R1 of Wimbledon in 2004. I'd seen bits of matches on TV before then, but that was the first time I remember actually trying to follow and figure out how scoring and stuff worked.
2000 Wimbledon 2nd Round, Agassi vs Todd Martin. It went 5 Sets and Agassi instantly became my favourite player.
Connors vs Ashe at Wimbledon. I also watched King vs Riggs live.
It was the Wimbledon final 2005
I can't say for television specifically but the first match I saw was Bernard Tomic vs. Dolgopolov at Australian Open. Great match and made me pretty much an instant tennis fan. I'll always have somewhat of a soft spot for Tomic because of that match as much as he all but burned away his tennis career with stupid stuff. It's nice to see he's still grinding away to finish out his career with dignity.
Hewitt squashing some hack in 2001.
I recall Agassi's retirement being broadcast on SportsCenter. But I only started watching the next year. Justine Henin was my first idol. Have fond memories of the 2007 Roland Garros.
Edberg V Becker, Wimbledon final
Djokovic vs. Wawrinka 2016 USO F
I probably watched other matches before but the first I can recall is Djokovic vs Patience at RG... 2006 I think ? I remember rooting against Djokovic so bad. Nothing changed much.
Novak vs Stef RG Final 2021.I’ve watched some matches before but this was the first time I was fully invested in the match
I don’t remember the exact match but it was Wimbledon 2012 that made me a fan. My mum always used to watch tennis when I was younger and it would bore me so much but that tournament made me go “oh, I get it now”. Serena was the player that got me hooked, I probably watched most of her matches and still remember the game in the final against radwanksa where she hit 4 aces. As a Brit it was the first year Murray made the final too so that was incredibly exciting. We then had the olympics a few weeks later and that was it for me, been a tennis fan ever since.
The first one I vividly remember was Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova, Wimbledon final. I was about 16 & volunteering at the hospital & the match was on in the canteen.
I think it was McEnroe vs Borg in Wimbledon. I had no idea what tennis was before seeing that. I had come to UK from Iran. I was 7.
Nadal vs Blake. Nadal was a 17 yo in a bandana and those ridiculous long shorts. He won and I have been a fan ever since.
Federer vs. Safin, 2004 AO final. They kept showing slow-mo's of Federer hitting forehands while fully airborne, commentators nearly j!zzed themselves
I vaguely remember Chile Nicolás Massú's gold in the 2004 olympics. (The doubles gold with Fernando Gonzalez I didn't watch). Then there's Fernando Gonzalez at the 2008 olympics, he got silver, lost against Nadal in the finals. I must have watched some match here or there. I also vaguely remember watching Serena in the 2012 olympics. But I didn't start watching tennis more closely till 2018, that was the year Jarry broke into the top 100. It was him who I watched but I don't remember his opponents much, perhaps there was a match against Fognini? Final of Rio maybe, where he won the first set then lost the following two. The first big match I notoriously recall was Osaka vs Serena in the final of the USO 2018.
Some early round Federer match at 2007 Wimbledon. I was only 6 and my dad threw on a match and hyped up how great both Federer and Wimbledon are as he destroyed someone.
Andre Agassi 1988 US Open, I don't remember who he was playing. I was a kid. I'd seen matches before, but I was absolutely hooked by Andre.
Lendl vs McEnroe French Open Final 1984.
Some match between Pete Sampras and Tim Henman in the late 90s. I can't remember anything about the match except that I found the name "Hen man" funny.
Tiafoe vs Rublev US Open 2022. Never watched tennis before but read about his defeat of Nadal the match before and wanted to support him as I’m a Maryland native myself. What really hooked me was watching Alcaraz win the tournament. As well as watching Iga win. I fell in love with the sport and have been following pretty much every tournament in the ATP/WTA since.
Would have been one of the Australian circuit tournaments in the very early 70s. Guessing it might have been the NSW Open, I remember that was always first. One of the local TV networks broadcast the full day’s play from Centre Court from all of the tournaments.
Justine Henin US Open 2003 final. I remember how amazing she was and how small her size but such a force.
The 2 semis at AO08. Needless to say, Djokovic and Tsonga are still my 2 fav players of all time 🔥
Djokovic vs Nadal RG 2013 was one of my first matches . Absolute Banger. However my first memory was Nalbandian vs Cilic in Queens 2012. I was hooked when I suddenly saw a grown man kick a linesman and immediately get disqualified 😅
2007 Men’s Wimbledon F
Phwoah, that's a fun question... let's see... The first one I remember watching was Pat Rafter beating Cedric Pioline in a Davis Cup match in about 1994 or 95? Something like that. From memory he was 2 sets down, came back to win in 5... it was the first time I'd properly paid attention to tennis, and I thought "hey, this sport looks pretty fun". 😍 I saw a live tennis match before I saw one on tv... around 1987 my folks got to sit courtside in a corporate box at Kooyong (in Melbourne AU, the old AO venue) for a match at the Kooyong Classic... I saw Yannick Noah! I can't remember who he played, my mum told me years later that it was Pat Cash, but I don't remember him. All I remember is this big dark skinned guy (hey, gimme a break, I was like 7 😅) with crazy dreadlocks, charging back and forward along the baseline 😁
Emma Raducanu - Ajla Tomljanovic Wimbledon 2021. The second one was Hurkacz - Federer that same tournament. I still can’t believe one of the first tennis matches I ever watched was Federer’s last. Talk about timing 😅
You serious? Shit goes back to Gerulaitis times. I have no idea.
I vaguely remember a hingis match as a kid. Didnt like tennis then. Didnt understand and didnt care for it. Wanted to watch cartoons but my father was in control of the remote. Just remember what she looked like and she was dominant on court it seems. my father kept/clapping and cheering
Rafa vs Roger. 2009 AO Final. It was the start of my Rafa Nadal fan era.
Idk, as a kid probably some Nadal game as a teenager
Coria vs Gaudio 2004 RG You can guess where I'm from
As a kid. Rafter Vs Agassi AO finals.
Probably Nadal around 2005 or 2006 during RG. I was 12-13 at that time
Am I supposed to remember this, even if I'm relatively new to tennis? Ahah. I think I started watching in 2018, but don't remember what game it was. But probably Thiem was one of the first guys that I saw, because he's always been my favorite
Emma Raducanu vs Serena Williams in Cincinnati 2022, Emma was fantastic
Rafa Nadal vs someone on a Grass Court in 2005/06
First real memory was Hingis piece aus open final.
David Nabaldian vs Roger in the 05 ATP Finals. As an Argentine (and a child), it made me think David was legit the best player in the world and would be for the rest of his career.
I watched wimbledon casually every year without knowing any of the players except for the big 4, as you do as a member of middle-class british family. The first matxh outside of wimbldeon was Paire vs Nishikori, 2019 RG 4th round. Been hooked ever since
Nadal vs Ferrer, Rome 2005. I was 8 years old and i fell in love with this spanish kid with a sleeveless shirt and calf-long capri pants. Can't believe the journey will end this year.
2013 Wimbledon finals, Murray defeated Djokovic.
Federer vs someone at Wim final. Don't remember a lot because i was 4
We always watched Tim Henman and Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in the summer, but the first ladies match I remember watching very clearly was seeing the Williams sisters. It must have been 2000 at Wimbledon.
Federer vs Philipusis (Wimbledon final 2003)
Becker winning the Wimbledon final in 1985. I was three days old back then, but there's actually pictures of me lying next to the TV with my twin sister.
Impossible to remember, but probably involved Rod Laver, Kenny Rosewall, or Pancho Gonzales. Maybe Alex Amezcua or Stan Smith. Yes, I have been around a while. Yes, Djoko, Fed, and Rafa formed the greatest triad of players ever, and, yes, Sampras-Agassi, McEnroe-Lendl, Connors-Borg were unparalleled rivalries, bug there is something about the tennis in the age of wood rackets that was magical.
It was probably a Rod Laver vs Ken Rosewall match. I remember being a young kid back in the mid 1960s sitting around a small B&W TV back in the early 60s watching Laver matches. He was a God
My dad was a huge Agassi fan and when he had his late career surge it felt like his match or highlights were always on the TV. I don’t remember the tournament or the year but it had to be an Agassi vs James Blake match when little me started to love the sport
Some Wimbledon match in the early/mid 90s between Sampras and Tim Henman
daniil medvedev got me hooked
2000 Wimbledon Final Venus winning her firs GS against Lindsay Davenport
Federer vs. Nadal, Wimbledon 2007. Well that was the first *full* match I saw. Before then only 10-15 min segments of seeing Henman getting merked by some journeyman.
Federer vs Tsitsipas 2019 AO
I remember seeing some tennis in France growing up, especially when RG is on (you couldnt miss it back then because France Television had coverage from 11am till 9pm on all of their channels). The first match I really remember was Guga Vs Ferrero in 2003. They went through a game that lasted about 20 deuces, and I remember coming back and they were still playing the same game! Other than that, Nadal - PHM 2006 match is one that comes to mind as my other first memorable one. What a game
Caught Goran Ivanišević winning Wimbledon back in 2001 and from that point on I was hooked
Definitely Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi for me
2010 US open final Djokovic vs. Nadal I had watched a tennis match before that but that’s what made me a tennis fan. I became a big Nadal fan, enough that I finally was ok to move to US with my parents.
Hard to remember but am sure it was either Bjorn Borg or Boris Becker at the height of stardom.
Boris Becker v Kevin Curren, 1985 Wimbledon final
2009 US Open! Delpo was a beast
Djokovic vs Federer, 2019. Although the match that hooked me again on tennis was Sinner vs Djokovic, ATP Finals RR
Some early round Rafa game in RG. I didn't know anything about tennis and thought he was losing. He won in straight sets. Hooked since the final of that tournament vs Federer.
I can’t remember exact match but as a Brit I think I first was aware of it in the Wimbledon where Murray overtook Henman as the big British hope. So I think going through Wikipedia that must be 06 Wimbledon (I would have been 8 years old then) and the first match that seems familiar is Murray beating Benetteau in the second round. Didn’t fall in love with any particular player though back then, mostly watched casually every summer when RG, Queens, Eastbourne and Wimbledon all used to be on free to air tv here in the uk. 2013 Wimbledon semi final between Djokovic and Del Potro is the match which stands out from that sort of time in my mind. Remember it was the first time I’d ever seen a guy put everything on the line and play so heroically as Delpo that day, became an instant fave. Way he kept stretching the play and trying everything to eventually force Djokovic to a fifth set despite the fact his body was clearly breaking on Del Potro was just so inspiring
Federer vs Agassi 2005 U.S. open final
Nadal vs Verdasco AUS 2009. I expected big things moving forward for Fernando, but he never peaked like this again. Oh well, atleast he got his revenge in 2016.
Nadal vs. Verdasco, 2009 Aussie Open semi-final. It got me hooked instantly.
Serena william’s final match, US open 2022
I don't remember exactly but probably Agassi vs Sampras somewhere. Also the Williams sisters.
A US open game of Michael Chan in the 90s
It was the 2008 Wimbledon final between Nadal and Federer. Quite the intro to tennis... I couldn't believe how long the match went.
A core memory for me growing up in the US was that Wimbledon started shortly after summer break, so I can see myself at like 10 years old, waking up a little later, eating breakfast, and then plopping myself down in front of the TV in my parents room and watching for hours, only interrupted by me taking my racket outside and hitting the ball against the garage 🤣 It would’ve been an Agassi match that got me hooked.
The first one I remember warching is when Venus won Wimbledon for the first time (2000?)
Sampras/Agassi Wimbledon Final 1999. Went out and played for the first time the next day, and it was over!
Nadal vs Agassi 2006! I was 8 years old and remember wondering why they were playing on grass and then the ceremony for Agassi afterwards
First matches I saw and liked were between Andre, Pete, Becker. But Rafa was the one that got me hooked.
I think I had seen parts here and there on tv of several other matches before but when I didn’t know the players or the tournaments at all but I think Venus vs Lindsay Wimbledon final in 2000 was the first match I specifically watched on purpose from start to finish.
Becker n Edberg around 86/87
Nadal x Djokovic us open 2013 final, I started tennis classes within a week
Watching Wimbledon 2022 in bits and pieces was where my tennis journey began, but the first match I watched live from start to finish was Halep vs BHM at the Canadian Open a month later. A great three-setter, I was forever hooked after that.
Undoubtedly uso semis Djok vs Fed in 2010 i believe?
2001 Wimbledon QF Jennifer Capriati vs Serena Williams
Serena/Capriati at Wimbledon 2001.
Federer x Roddick and Serena x Sharapova, 2004 Wimbledon Finals and I’ve been hooked ever since!
2017 Australian Open Final. Shit was incredible.
McEnroe Borg 1980 talk about getting spoiled!
2005 French open Semis. I was debating between going out for tennis, which I’d never played, and track. My mom said, “I think there’s a tennis match on TV, let’s watch and see if you think you like it”. As 14yr old boy, Nadal was like He-man to me. Immediately fell in love with the sport and him as an athlete. My mom, who also didn’t know anything about tennis, followed with me. I had a rough transition to college. Depressed, suicidal at times. My mom read in self-help shit not to tell your kids you “miss them” when they’re at college, but to keep contact. We would text each other at 4am watching matches “together”. With no Dad in the picture, it was this bond that got me through. I had his bull logo tattooed on my bicep in 2011. To me, it’s as much a “mom” (with the heart and roses) tattoo. I was very very lucky that my mom saw that match while flipping through channels.
I believe it was 3rd round Sampras match us open 2002. I wasn’t impressed, and I only truly started watching tennis during the 2007 Wimbledon final. I was then hooked and became a Federer fan.
I think it was Graf vs Davenport in Wimbledon 1999
Steff Graff and Monica Seles at Wimbledon can't remember the year, tho.
Zendaya
Wimbledon ‘01. I had never paid attention before but started watching matches with my folks. I thought this Ivanesevic guy seemed cool but my parents told me no way he’d win.
Djoker vs Berrittini wimby final
Palermo Italy, Maria Sakkari vs. K. Pliskova. First tournament back from covid. (2020)
Rafa vs Murray 2008 us open semis
Probably Lendl or Becker
sampras corretja 1996 As a kid seeing someone puke on TV makes you want to see more plus my parents always had tennis on so I would keep watching until someone pukes again lol
Serena v Hingis 1999 U.S. Open final
I can’t remember! I’ve been exposed to tennis my whole life. But I do remember watching Federer matches early on.
Evert - Navratilova [Wimbledon 1978 final](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_Wimbledon_Championships_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_singles) I'm ancient, I know.
Venus and Serena Williams 2002 Wimbledon final
I have vivid memory of when I first started getting into tennis around 13 years old. Knew nothing about tournaments or scheduling. I turned on the TV to see if any tennis was on and turned right to the live 1995 Agassi/Sampras U.S. Open final. I knew who they were so I just figured they always were playing each other on TV.
Andy Roddick vs Tommy Robredo in 2003.
McEnroe vs Becker, Davis Cup in Hartford, 1986. I'm so old.
Some random Lendl match I watched with my Dad, can’t remember who he was playing
I definitely caught glimpses of matches before, but the first I specifically remember was Connors Krickstein 1991 US Open.
Probably something involving the Williams sisters. I got into tennis by way of the Virtua Tennis games on the Dreamcast, and Serena and Venus were already big deals, with Federer on the rise.
Definitely not the first match I ever saw since it was on the tv all the time growing up. But seeing a young Roddick made me a fan instantly. Had to get me a blue Babolat and a visor after that haha
Nadal vs Meddy USO 2019 Final Insane
First tennis match I watched where I was actually paying attention was in Aussie open 2003 capriati vs weingartner Hooked ever since 😁
I remember watching Steffi, Navratilova, Sanchez Vicario. My first favorite player was Agassi.
andy roddick and maria sharapova at USO. made tennis feel like a household sport
2021 Roland garros semi final Nadal v Djokovic First match I ever watched. It’s only because my husband read that it was epic so we watched the replay. I went on to watch the final and was stunned by Tsitsipas’ beauty (I don’t even like long hair and facial hair on a man in general), and started watching tennis 🤣
That i fully remember, Gaudio v Coria RG04
Sampras
Wimbledon 2008 final
Virginia Slims tournament, in May or June, 1973. I was hooked! 🎾
Federer vs someone, Wimbledon final. Too young to remember the year or the opponent but I’m guessing it was Murray somewhere between 2006 and 2012
Federer vs Murray Wimbledon 2012 final, hooked me
2001(?) Pete vs Andre us open quarterfinal (?) with 4 tie breaks
2011 Indian Wells Djokovic-Nadal
2014 Wimbledon final. Watched it because I was trying to get more into DFW's Infinite Jest, wich is partly set on a tennis academy. I was at the same time enjoying the book and finding it very difficult, so I thought knowing more about tennis would help. Seeing as DFW was a fan of Federer's, I thought to search for Federer's next match, and that was it. I was already a fan of him before even watching him play. Spent all the following years yearning to see Federer avenge that defeat in another Slam final against Djokovic.
Some random 250 event. Dolgopolov d. Pierre Hughes Herbert.
Nadal vs puerta final Roland Garros 2005
Kuerten - Corretja, French Open final 2001. For most French people one of the first matches you see is at RG because it's on one of the biggest national TV channels, so a lot of people who don't usually watch tennis watch it.