Imagine harboring a secret dislike for someone, so strong that it borders on animosity. That's the situation former tennis pro Sam Querrey has revealed, confessing he 'absolutely hates' a fellow player he considers a 'tool.' But here's the catch: he's not naming names!
In a recent episode of the 'Nothing Major Show,' Querrey, alongside Jack Sock, Steve Johnson, and John Isner, delved into the intriguing topic of tennis's less-than-lovable figures. Querrey, who hung up his racket in 2022 after reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 11, admitted to a deep-seated dislike for one particular individual. However, the 38-year-old remained tight-lipped about the player's identity, citing the fact that the individual is still actively competing.
"There’s one guy I like absolutely hate. But I can’t just say it right now, the guy’s still playing... He doesn’t necessarily know I hate him, but he’s a tool," Querrey, a 2017 Wimbledon semifinalist, stated on the podcast. It's a bold statement, isn't it? But what could have possibly caused such animosity?
While his co-hosts pressed for a name, the ten-time ATP champion stood firm. Instead, he offered a tantalizing anecdote: “Practice totally stopped for us to yell at each other for like six minutes. I stayed. I never stay." Think about that – a seasoned professional so enraged that he abandons his usual composure and engages in a heated shouting match! This wasn't just a minor disagreement; this was a full-blown confrontation. Sock even chimed in, suggesting that the unnamed player must have seriously crossed the line to elicit such a strong reaction from Querrey: “It takes a lot for Sam to get really, really perturbed."
And this is the part most people miss... While Querrey remained discreet, Steve Johnson wasn't as shy. He openly named former Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic and Lukas Rosol, the player who famously stunned Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2012, as players he wasn't particularly fond of. Johnson even humorously described the experience of playing doubles with Jack Sock, revealing a competitive intensity that could be, shall we say, overwhelming. “If you somehow pissed Jack off on the doubles court, you were done. He was just going to take over the court," Johnson joked.
Sock confirmed this, adding, “It wasn’t the worst thing. I just used it as motivation. I’m not a big fan of Karlovic… or like Rosol back in the day. He was brutal.” So, while Querrey's mystery nemesis remains shrouded in secrecy, the conversation opened a window into the rivalries and personalities that simmer beneath the surface of professional tennis.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is it unprofessional for players to harbor such strong dislikes for their competitors? Or is it simply a natural consequence of the intense pressure and high stakes of the sport? And more importantly, does knowing about these rivalries make watching tennis even more compelling? What do you think? Who do you suspect is the player Querrey 'absolutely hates,' and why? Let us know your theories in the comments below!
