I have taken a long time to write this review. It’s because I simply could not decide which ten players to choose as my fav ten. After I’d finished the tricky part of choosing players, I spent some time researching their careers on the net. All in all, I had a great time writing this review and I hope you have a wonderful time reading it too.
*Tennis stars:
*Roger Federer:
Why he is my favourite:*
-> He’s won more tennis matches than one can possibly remember.
-> His composure on-court is unparalleled.
-> As a person he seems to be very modest and gentlemanly.
Stats and trivia:
-> He has been ranked as the numero uno tennis player since Feb 2004
-> Federer was presented the inaugural "Golden Bagel Award" in 2004, a light-hearted award based on a trivial statistic given to the men’s professional tennis player who serves up more "bagels" (sets won 6-0) than any other player in any given year. Federer gave out 12 "bagels" in 2004. He also served 23 "bread sticks" (6-1 sets won). Since turning 18, Federer has not been bagelled himself
*Pete Sampras:
Why he is my favourite:*
-> I used to hate him when I watched tennis initially, because he used to stick his tongue out ! ! But I changed my mind about him quite recently, when I watched his games with an unbiased attitude.
-> He’s definitely one of the greatest tennis players ever.
Stats and trivia:
->He finished the year as No. 1 on the ATP Rankings for a record six years.
->Sampras had thalassemia minor, an inherited disease that causes anemia. This means that he used to get fatigued easily. He was able to control his condition and win matches.
*Martina Navratilova:
Why she is my favourite:
*-> She started playing tennis eons ago and won many matches at her prime. But, most significantly , she played tennis (and won) when many people her age sit at home and complain about their various maladies.
*Stats and trivia:
*->She retired just recently after winning her 59th grand slam title in the mixed doubles event at the US Open.
->She is a self described bi-sexual and is a campaigner for gay rights.
*Cricket stars:
*Rahul Dravid:
Why he is my favourite:
*-> He exemplifies the famous adage- "hardwork pays"
-> He’s a good team player and a consistent performer
*Stats and trivia:
*->He is the only player to score a century against every Test playing nation away from home
->Dravid was nicknamed ’Jammy’ by schoolmates because his father worked for Kissan
*Sachin Tendulkar:
Why he is my favourite:
*-> He’s the best batsman in the world (among the current crop of players).
->One can see enthusiasm and love for the game written on his face whenever he steps out on the cricket field.
*Stats and trivia:
*-> He has the most runs, most centuries and has played more ODI’s than anyone else.
->Tendulkar is ambidexterous. He writes with his left hand but bats & bowls right-handed.
*Brett Lee:
Why he is my favourite:
*-> He’s one of the best fast bowlers ever.
-> I became his fan after I watched his interview with Simi Garewal in which he came across as a very cool and sweet guy.
*Stats and trivia:
*->His fastest recorded delivery to date is at 160.8 km/h or 99.9 mph
->He is part of a rock band called Six and out.
->He supports a number of charities including the Salvation Army, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and the Make a Wish Foundation.
*Football stars:
David Beckham:
*Why he is my favourite:
*-> He’s got everything - rock-star personna, good looks, professional attitude to name a few.
-> He’s faced a huge amount of public criticism whenever he has performed badly, but he has been able to take it in his stride.
*Stats and trivia:
*-> He was the highest payed sports person a couple of years back.
->Beckham never appeared in the 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham except in archive footage.
*Ronaldinho:
Why he is my favourite:
*-> He seems to have learnt how to play football before he learnt to walk.
-> I first noticed him in the 2002 world cup when he scored an unbelievable goal against England, the hapless English goal-keeper looked so stunned.
*Stats and trivia:
*->He’s won FIFA’s world player of the year award twice.
-> His real name is Ronaldo Assis de Moreira, and he is called Ronaldinho to distinguish him from co-star Ronaldo.
*The truly inspirational ones:
*Lance Armstrong:
Why he is my favourite:
*-> Cycling was a relatively unknown sport until he came around.
-> His life story is unbelievable. He overcame cancer to win a prestiguous cycling title.
*Stats and trivia:
*->He has won a record seven Tour de France titles.
-> He is a symbol of hope for people with cancer and he has founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help those afflicted with the disease.
Jesse Owens:
*Why he is my favourite:
*-> He is one of the best remembered Olympic athletes. Being an African American in an era when racial discrimination was only too prevalent, he had to overcome stiff odds to win his medals.
*Stats and trivia:
*-> He won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
->His real name was James Cleveland Owens. He was given the name Jesse when at school , because his teacher did not follow his accent when he said he was called J C.