Is professional Tennis really more physically and mentally demanding than pro Boxing?

[BangEM]

Djokovic first serve is not nearly as good as Federer's. Djokovic is always hard to break even though he doesn't have an incredible serve. Same thing with Nadal. Actually Nadal served better against Federer than Djokovic did.

Yes it did. Djokovic like so many times before was so good on the crucial points. Federer was overall the better player in the final, won more points..etc. But Djokovic mentally stayed strong to grind out the key points, that's very typical Djokovic.

There's a reason why Djokovic is now 4-0 against Federer in 5 set battles. Djokovic and Nadal win so many matches because of their mental toughness.

Djoko served better in the final than Nadal did in the semis. The thing about Nadal's serve is that he adds a lot of spin to it and apart from clay surface, it isn't really effective on grass. But Djoko has better placement and speed with his serve.

Federer has never been a great 5 sets player throughout his career and it has more to do with how unathletic he's than mental. Nadal and Djoko on the other hand are supreme athletes and they move very well. Both are also built for 5 sets.

[Rockybigblower]

Whilst tennis can be both physically and mentally demanding...a match like Federer vs Djokovic is rare. For the most part the top tier are blowing past second level players on their way to the final. Similar in a sense to champions fighting cans. Amir Khan vs Billy Dib is a 6-0 6-0 6-0 game.

[HitmanTommy]

Djokovic first serve is not nearly as good as Federer's. Djokovic is always hard to break even though he doesn't have an incredible serve. Same thing with Nadal. Actually Nadal served better against Federer than Djokovic did.

Yes it did. Djokovic like so many times before was so good on the crucial points. Federer was overall the better player in the final, won more points..etc. But Djokovic mentally stayed strong to grind out the key points, that's very typical Djokovic.

There's a reason why Djokovic is now 4-0 against Federer in 5 set battles. Djokovic and Nadal win so many matches because of their mental toughness.

Did you see Djokovic stare defeat in it's face when he was down 15-40 and the crowd going absolutely crazy cheering for Federer?

That type of mental toughness is unparalleled.

That's what separates world class elite athletes from the very good ones.

Can't teach that!

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Tennis requires a greater level of physical fitness but Boxing is without question far more physically demanding due to the fact it is two people inflicting physical damage upon one another.

[HitmanTommy]

Whilst tennis can be both physically and mentally demanding...a match like Federer vs Djokovic is rare. For the most part the top tier are blowing past second level players on their way to the final. Similar in a sense to champions fighting cans. Amir Khan vs Billy Dib is a 6-0 6-0 6-0 game.

That's a very good point. Fed vs Joke was a match for the ages. Will probably never see anything that top tier in tennis again. Glad to have seen it live!

[boliodogs]

They are probably equally physically demanding with one major difference. Boxers must take much punishment from their opponents while tennis players take no punishment like that. A boxer must take heavy blows to the head and body while tennis players take none.

[LetOutTheCage]

Do Tennis players get punched in the face and body?

This literally should be the answer to anyone who argues that Tennis is more demanding.

Yes you have to be very fit to play tennis...But ur not getting physically damaged from any mistake you make

[ruedboy]

Boxing is primal.
Your opponent is trying to knock you unconscious.
Pro boxers risk their lives when they step into the ring.
No other sport demands what boxing does.

[boliodogs]

Tennis requires a greater level of physical fitness but Boxing is without question far more physically demanding due to the fact it is two people inflicting physical damage upon one another.

I don't agree that tennis requires a greater level of fitness. In both sports the fitter you are the better you perform. Both train as hard as possible without over training. The best boxers train very hard and have a demanding training routine. Their success in the ring depends on it.

[Combat Talk Radio]

Tennis - and even badminton which I argue is more physically and mentally demanding than tennis - are solid workouts at best. Great exercise, good to keep in shape, hand eye coordination, strain on the ligaments, strain on the joints, all that.

Boxing is a completely different beast, not because of offense, but because of the synergy between offense and defense. Split second decisions in your mind about whether to throw or not, whether your opponent is going to throw, if they do throw will they throw low or high and whether it'll be a damaging shot or a touch shot, eye and ear on the clock, footwork, the ref's warning, the corner's feedback, your heart rate, being relaxed and not tensed up. All constant, for 36 minutes. That's not even taking into consideration whatever distractions you might be having outside of the ring that you're thinking about, or hand injuries, or muscle tears, or eyesight issues, or sparring fallout, or diet/supplement.

Boxing is brutal. It makes perfect sense to me why so many boxers that were successful in the 90's were just straight up on coke or crack (or both). It was probably the only way they could force their mind into the killer instinct necessary to just survive in there.