[Anteneprorid]

As I've gotten to know most of you, I've learned who your favorite players are. Now I want you to make it more official. So here is your chance to list your five favorite players. You can either list your five favorite men and five favorite women or a combination of your five favorite men and women. I want to limit this to present players only, so sadly Andre Aggasi and Anna Kournikova won't make my list...

1. James Blake- His story, his class, and his inability to capture the big win are all why he makes my number one spot. If I could interview one person in any sport, he would be who I would choose.

2. Marcos Baghdatis- When he is smiling, laughing, and playing tennis it is going to be a good night of entertainment. He's been part of three legendary five set matches, sadly he hasn't won any of them...

3. Robbie Ginepri- Probably one of the worst players in my group, but he was part of the 2005 US Open that got me hooked on to tennis.

4. Andy Roddick- I used to despise him, because of his arrogance, and crass attitude while on the court. I wish he'd grow up, but I can't help but root for him to win another title.

5. Ivo/JMDP- Kind of a tie. I like both players. Ivo because he's easily the most frustrating player to see in your draw. JMDP because he's the new wave of tennis.

Just missing the list- Nadal, Safin, Fish, Isner, Delic, and Haas.

So who's in your five?

[FateHostera]

I'm really going to have to think about this!

[Breevereurl]

Forever: Lindsay Davenport. My girl. Made me a crazy tennis fan many moons ago. No matter how many babies she pops out, she'll always be my number one. Nuff said.

1. Alisa Kleybanova. My new love! My retro reminding chunky old school raw Lindsay-like Russian that I just fell in love with. First player in a long, long, long, long time that I've gotten really excited over.

2. Victoria Azarenka. I've been having my eye on her since her junior days. Wicked game, even if it is a bit much at times. She's got a grunt that can peel paint of walls, but I like how she's taken her time to rise up the rankings. And I love that she's mixed slam doubles champion twice, proves that she's got more game than just wacking a ball.

3. Maria Sharapova. I've had a love-hate relationship with La Pova since the beginning. Liked her, hated her, dispised her, felt sorry for her and started to like her about 16 months ago. Her game is text book big babe which is what I love but what probably did it for me was to see her mature from this ice princess of a teenager to this slightly goofy, even dorky, but nevertheless lovable young woman. That and the fact that her and I can spend time discussing shoulder injuries.

4. Dominika Cibulkova. She's a shorty like me (I'm only 5'2") so I was sold the first time I saw her in early 2008. She's a scrambler but not a backboard, she's aggressively smart out there. I love her game, style, and the way she carries herself.

5. Lucie Safarova. Lefty. Idolized Lindsay. She had me at first sight back in 2005. She's streaky as hell, but has so much potential. She drives me nuts, but I still adore her. And she's got my on court fashion attire: too short Nike skirt to go along with her ever present thigh strapping. She's my crazy Lefty Czech!

Just missing the cut: The MIA Tatiana Golovin, The Hot Mess Anna Chakvetadze, The Other Hot Mess Alona Bondarenko, and my beloved Vera Zvonareva (we both keep stock in kleenexes since we're both cryers).

[Gastonleruanich]

Easy!

1. Venus Williams--hands down.
2. Kveta Hrdlickova Peschke--still waiting for that divorce.
3. Tamira Paszek--for two obvious reasons.
4. Max Mirnyi--but he's gotten horribly depressing.
5 TIE. Marin Cilic--on the rise. Big time.
5 TIE. Andy Murray--also on the rise.

[FateHostera]

1. Roger Federer - The only reason why six years ago, I started watching men's tennis again. Yeah, I share my love for him with many people on this site, let alone around the world, but that doesn't mean that I can't still get excited every time he plays.

2. Jarkko Nieminen - Saw him play for the first time about six years back and was just enraptured by his balance and shotmaking ability, the ease and fluidity with which he hit every ball. And I thought (think) he's really cute.

3. Elena Dementieva - Still get so much grief for her former serving woes... effing commentators can't mention the words "bad" and "serve" in a sentence without coming right to Elena's offense. She's erased the deficiencies and is playing some of the best tennis of her career. Two Olympic medals, two Grand Slam finals, an amazing amount of talent, and great legs. Love her.

4. Gilles Simon - I've been a fan for awhile now, before it became almost trendy to be a supporter of French Fry, but I can't say that the last six months didn't make me an even bigger fan and a believer. I love his demeanor on court- he can supply some of the best facial expressions in the game- and I appreciate how he'll stay out on court and grind with the best of them.

5. This was tough. No ties for me, though... if I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do it right. So #5- Richard Gasquet. I'm still waiting, Richard. Still waiting for that consistent, big result. Thanks for getting up two sets to none then losing it. Thanks for cramping against Hewitt at the USO a couple years back in the fifth set, but continuing to produce some of the most electrifying shots of the tournament. I'll be here for when you get it all together.

JUST off the list: Jelena Jankovic
A little further off the list: Philipp Kohlschreiber, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Mikhail Youzhny, Amelie Mauresmo

All-time list includes: Steffi Graf, Sandrine Testud, Mary Pierce

[DurryVony]

My 5:

1. Federer - All time favorite player
2. Gasquet - Keep waiting for the breakthrough. Now I'm just hoping for at least one slam.
3. Blake - Seems like a cool guy
4. Gonzalez - Guess how many hands I use on my backhand?
5. This space for rent. I'm waiting on the up-and-comers to see which one I like best. Cilic and Gulbis are the most likely candidates. I like Roddick too.

[bonyrek]

1. Venus Williams--always and forever--I just can't stay mad
2. Elena Dementievea--I'm loving her the second time around
3. Andy Roddick--He has my game and build, so I have a natural interest
4. James Blake--love his aggressive style, but mainly on the list because he's smoking hot
5. Marat Safin--for one more year

On the rise: Michelle Larcher de Brito, Coco Vandeweghe, Jelena Dokic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
In freefall: Jelena Jankovic

[BaselBimbooooo]

1. Serena Williams - Always and forever
1. Andy Roddick - Always and forever
3. Amelie Mauresmo - I'm so glad she won Wimbledon
4. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - There's nothing he can't do on the tennis court.
5. Simone Bolelli - So many reasons, so little time to write about them

[DoterForeva]

Current:

Men -

1. Novak - the fifth set of the '05 USO match with Monfils is all I needed to see. Most hated him for it. I knew we had a future champion. But, it helps he has really matured as a person since then.
2. Gasquet - beautiful, all court, all surface game, power and finesse, rally or volley, and that fragile little mind. What's not to love?
3. Kiefer - the bad boy. Love it!
4. Cilic - favorite of the up-and-comers.
5. Simon - we are almost the same height and almost the same weight (except for me in the winter), and look what he's doing. Gotta respect it.

Honorable mentions - All my lefties, from Nadal to Verdasco to Melzer to Young (who has fallen from my top 5), I am lefty, I love lefties. Also, must mention Hrbaty and Bolelli.

Women -

1. Ana - the most beautiful woman in tennis and she plays big babe style. Just great!
2. Sharapova - the more she was attacked, the more I loved her. Hope to see her back soon.
3. Dinara - flew onto this list in the last year. Her play combined with insightful comments off court.
4. Serena - Love the fierce Serena! The fact she wears her heart on her sleeve puts her slightly ahead of...
5. Venus - simply regal!

Honorable mentions - Wozniacki - the real deal in waiting; beginning to like Cibulkova; I like, but am getting frustrated by, Kirilenko.

[EnvellFen]

1. Dinara Safina- I LOVE her. I think everything that she does is adorable. Plus I like her game and mentally she reminds me of myself, less so now more before.

2. James Blake- I like his game and his mentality on the court. He just goes for it and I really respect that. Plus (yes it's stupid) he's the only other tennis player I know, besides myself, who has scoliosis.

Those two are way above the rest but here are the others

3. Federer- I actually like him a lot more now that he isn't winning everything (I found that boring) , beautiful game.

4. Mauresmo- I like her game and allways have rooted for her to get over that hump and play like she is capable of

5. Maria Sharapova- can't really explain it I just like her.

Honorable mention: Donald Young: Please start playing like I think you can.

[doogiehoussi]

1. Maria Sharapova
2. Samantha Stosur
3. Lleyton Hewitt
4. Marat Safin
5. K. Bondarenko

Jamila Gajdosova will eventually replace in my presently playing players when Marat retires and Amer Delic will be the next to move up.

[cookiemonster]

i have a LOT of favourites, so this was hard to chop down.
in no particular order...

- Gasquet - I've loved this kid since he got on tour, it's just too bad he hasn't pulled out consistent results.
- Safin - drives me nuts but i love him. same as above.
- Rafa - i absolutely love how he goes after every ball and i personally prefer how he balances out Federer's pristine, prestigious facade.
- Simon - after he beat Tursunov last year at Indianapolis, that was it.
- Ancic - I know he hasn't pulled in the best results, but i just like the guy. a lot.

those who came close: Monfils, Tsonga, Ferrer, Andreev, Cilic, Djokovic, Blake.

but i think those five are the ones i severely root for.

[formobilagsw]

This is hard. How can I limit myself to 5?

Currently....(and yesterday and tomorrow.....)

1. Venus Williams....forever my girl. No matter how many losses, no matter how hard those losses, she's forever my girl. The Wimby Queen

Now the rest are in no particular order:

2. Serena- Evil Serena, Funny Serena, Sexy Serena, bitchy Serena, lazy Serena...it doesn't matter. It's all about Serena. Love her, love her tennis and miss those catsuit outfits!

3. Jelena Dokic-This comeback story keeps getting better and better and better and better. "Aussie Jelena". Now how could that not bring a smile to your face?

4. He may not be winning every single thing he plays in....but Roger for me will always be a true artist out there on the courts, dancing, making music, weaving magic in a way that no other player can. So now...he can be challenged...but he is still lethal and will still win. I'll enjoy him for however long he is out there.

5. This spot belongs to a lot of players. Some I've been watching and lost hope in but am keeping my eyes on like JAMES BLAKE...Some I've been enjoying their tennis and believe that one day they will be the next best thing (like Alize Cornet and Sara Errani) and it especially belongs to Dinara Safina whom I used to watch ALL the time, believing that one day she will be a "top" player. I used to call her the "hulking slug" because she was so big, but her movement was horrible and sluggish. Her attitude and on court behavior resembled Marat's too much and no one truly believed she'd really come out the way she did. When she made that fantastic run last year and got to number three in the world it was SO thrilling! But now....she's a top player and she's always in the limelight now. So...on to better things and I'll love her even more when she gets her first slam and reaches number one

And of course my all time favorite player, Andre Agassi..I still miss him on the tour but I love the way that the other players are so influenced by him. I love that Verdasco is working with Gils and that Moya cites Agassi and his fitness routines for the reason he is still alive in tennis....love it love it love it ...love it ALL!

[verybigf]

1. VENUS - ROGER
2. VENUS - ROGER
3. VENUS - ROGER
4. VENUS - ROGER
5. VENUS - ROGER

Seriously

1. VENUS: my # 1 forever and ever. Before her I only watched tennis on and off (Steffi and Monica were my faves), but Venus got me hook, line and sinker.

2. ROGER: never followed ATP tennis until this guy, fell in love immediately

3. Serena: Although I would not go out and use a pic of Serena only,(unless Vee is included because I somehow feel like I'm cheating on Vee) as a avatar or desktop, I consider her a fave. Love her fighting spirit and heart.

4. BEPA: my poor weeping willow

5. ANA: My future #1 and tied with Caro, Alize, Nadal, Del Potro & Nalbandian

RECENTLY FEELING : ElenaD - the feeling comes and goes but it's mostly love, MariaS -started out loving her, then not liking, then back to loving.

Yeah lots more than 5 but I've got a lot of love to give

Foxy

[soprofaxelbis]

1. Andy Roddick. Always and forever (even though I want to strangle him sometimes).
2. Rafael Nadal. I love the contrast between his on-court aggression and his off-court personality. (Besides, he's taken some of the air our of Roger Federer's rise ).
3. Venus Williams. I love the big sister way she looks at her sister after beating her. Almost apologetically.
4. Andy Murray. His tenacity. And that hair!
5. Lleyton Hewitt. There's just something about them Aussies.
5. How could I forget about Dinara!? Sorry Lleyton but you're officially #6.

[encunnibriG]

1. James Blake-A large part of the reason why I started following tennis closely. I love his game (no matter how frustrating it is) and his character.

2. Venus Williams-Not sure why I like her, but I sure do.

3. Rafael Nadal-I love the extreme spin with aggression, the genteel off-court personality, and the bandana-messy hair-sleeveless shirt-pirate pants combo (can't wait to see it back).

4. Serena Williams-If you like one Williams, it's hard not to like the other.

5. Andy Roddick-This spot is up for grabs, but it's Andy's for now.

[Assauraarguck]

1. James Blake - a classy guy and not bad to look at either (I still miss the dreadlocks).

2. Vera Zvonareva - ever since I saw her play a final against Lindsey on the green clay - was really impressed with how cleanly they both hit the ball.

3. Roger Federer - just love to watch his game.

4. Fabrice Santoro - fun to watch

5. Karolina Sprem - not sure she'll ever go far but I still like her.

May make my list soon - Cibulkova, Gulbis

[seooptiman]

1. Venus Williams
2. Roger Federer
3. Serena Williams
4. Andy Murray
5. Nadia Petrova

[paypaltoegold1]

Andy Roddick - loved him from the beginning.Great personality,great serve & he's hot!

Lleyton Hewitt - Like his attitude & character.

Goran - Liked his personality.

Sam Querrey - Promising young star.

Serena Williams - Nice personality & great player.

[Doctorpills]

Does Lindsay count as current?

Well, let's assume she doesn't:

1) Venus - class act, all the way, and just try not to smile when she's jumping up and down like a little girl at Wimbledon

2) Roger - again, class act, and I'm hoping he stays that way as he declines (bring back the smiles, Roger!)

3) Andy R. - his game doesn't do much for me, but the personality is priceless; love the brutally honest self-degradation, the wit (SARS = priceless )

4) Lleyton - straight-up badass; grinding, never-give-up style (also, first player I ever saw live!)

5) Jelena - hot-ass mess; love-hate relationship: love the humor, the smiles, the great defense, hate the injury drama, the whining (though there's been less lately )

Honorable mentions: Simon, Serena (be a better loser and I'd love you), Richie, Elena, Dinara, Murray

The basement : Nole, Maria, Ana