Despite dedicating their lives to athletic pursuits and achieving significant success, some of the world's top athletes confess to not actually enjoying the sports that have defined their careers. This sentiment ranges from a disinterest in watching the games to a deep-seated dislike for the physical demands and competitive pressures.
Michael van Gerwen, a three-time darts world champion, recently stated that he does not enjoy watching darts and prefers playing the game. He explained that while he might tune into live scores or watch a major final involving top players, he's not one to watch matches casually. This comes as he has seen his world ranking drop and new talents like Luke Littler rise in prominence.
Arsenal defender Ben White also expressed a similar detachment from football, admitting he doesn't watch the sport unless analyzing his own performances. He told The Overlap that he never watched football as a child and continues that habit as an adult, preferring to be out playing the game.
Tennis legend Serena Williams, one of the most dominant figures in women's tennis history, shared in 2012 that she "doesn't love tennis" and has "never liked sports, and I never understood how I became an athlete." She attributed this to a general dislike for physical exertion and working out.
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has described his relationship with tennis as "love-hate." He revealed that he was more drawn to basketball as a child and was encouraged by his parents to pursue tennis. While acknowledging the unique challenge of tennis, he stated, "I just love basketball, I love the sport."
Snooker player Mark Williams, a three-time world champion, admitted in 2019 that he "hated" snooker, particularly during a tough period in his career. He expressed more enjoyment in playing golf during that time. While he has since achieved further success, including reaching a World Championship final in 2025, his earlier comments highlighted a significant disconnect.
Heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury has spoken about a "love-hate relationship" with boxing, describing it as an "addiction" that provides immense highs but also severe lows. He has retired and un-retired multiple times, citing the sport's detrimental effects on his body, mind, and soul, yet finding himself consistently drawn back.
Former Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto echoed the sentiment of detachment, stating he "doesn't watch football" and that his interests lie in friends and music. He argued that one doesn't need to be overly obsessed with a sport to succeed at a high level.
Perhaps the most candid admission comes from eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi, who wrote in his autobiography, "I play tennis for a living even though I hate tennis. I hate it with a dark and secret passion and always have." The reasons for his strong feelings remain somewhat personal, but the demands of a professional tennis career, including over 30 weeks on tour annually, are known to be intensely stressful and life-consuming.