Are Players Crazy for Entering the Olympics?

[the AntiPusher]

Of course he cares, nobody ever competed harder than Rafa, but losses are a part of the sport, unfortunately more so when players are in decline. I agree though that he should skip the Olympics. I doubt he's going to be even half in the kind of shape he needs to be in, and he's only being reckless with whatever he has left of his career as a top class player...

I know he wants to carry the flag for his country, I get that he missed that opportunity in 2012. Go carry the flag and then "exit, stage left immediately" back to the US to prepare for the open.

That would be the best thing that he can do but.......:huh:

I know ..Rafa won't do the smart move...Question..I know Fed fans and Djoker fans have to be :laydownlaughing about the way Rafa manages his schedule .. Maybe I will start a thread about "how foolish with his schedule is Nadal"

 

[Carol]

I know he wants to carry the flag for his country, I get that he missed that opportunity in 2012. Go carry the flag and then "exit, stage left immediately" back to the US to prepare for the open.

That would be the best thing that he can do but.......:huh:

I know ..Rafa won't do the smart move...Question..I know Fed fans and Djoker fans have to be :laydownlaughing about the way Rafa manages his schedule .. Maybe I will start a thread about "how foolish with his schedule is Nadal"

NO lease:

 

[Kieran]

I'm still trying to think of arguments in favour of tennis in the Olympics, especially since I still naively cling to the old fashioned notion of the Olympics being home to amateur sports. Of course it isn't now, but track and field, swimming, archery etc, these sports fit perfectly into the idea of a compendium box of games that aren't hugely popular on their own, but when you pack them together into an exciting TV schedule, can blow the lid off a tube of Pringles and bite the top off a bottle of beer, and kill an hour (or three) stone dead quicker than Usain Bolt can get away from the starter gun, or Michael Phelps can cut through water. It's a whole different experience than we expect from tennis...

 

[isabelle]

I'm still trying to think of arguments in favour of tennis in the Olympics, especially since I still naively cling to the old fashioned notion of the Olympics being home to amateur sports. Of course it isn't now, but track and field, swimming, archery etc, these sports fit perfectly into the idea of a compendium box of games that aren't hugely popular on their own, but when you pack them together into an exciting TV schedule, can blow the lid off a tube of Pringles and bite the top off a bottle of beer, and kill an hour (or three) stone dead quicker than Usain Bolt can get away from the starter gun, or Michael Phelps can cut through water. It's a whole different experience than we expect from tennis...

before Open area GS were no prof too....now it's different, same for OG, now pro have the right to play and I'm really happy that my fav sport is in, a gold medal is a must for any athlete, any sport

 

[Rational National]

I'm still trying to think of arguments in favour of tennis in the Olympics, especially since I still naively cling to the old fashioned notion of the Olympics being home to amateur sports. Of course it isn't now, but track and field, swimming, archery etc, these sports fit perfectly into the idea of a compendium box of games that aren't hugely popular on their own, but when you pack them together into an exciting TV schedule, can blow the lid off a tube of Pringles and bite the top off a bottle of beer, and kill an hour (or three) stone dead quicker than Usain Bolt can get away from the starter gun, or Michael Phelps can cut through water. It's a whole different experience than we expect from tennis...

Its actually quite farcical when you think of the approach taken with the major global sports that traditionally haven't been Olympic pinnacle sports

1) The biggest of all, Soccer, employs an under-23 with 3 overage players allowed...
2) Golf's re-admittance is being met with pull-outs left right and centre
3)It serves as an unofficial world cup for Basketball, yet, does not really get the juices flowing as it is really just a gold medal procession for the US
4) Baseball before being dropped I think didn't include anyone in the Majors - In the US team anyways
5) Rugby Union is now admitted but they have admitted the game of sevens, though more globally marketable than the longer form is still by far and away the little brother of the game and by no means as skilful.

I understand that for all theses sports there is an appeal to being part of the Olympics (funding, marketing, audience share, etc) but if its not the pinnacle then I think fundamentally they should be excluded from the roster.

Re: amateur status: I don't necessarily hold to that idea because professional sport shouldn't be 'dirty' in the modern era,. The idea that someone can commit to their sport full-time and make a living off it is great and I think it facilitates progression and commitment. My big concern is that if its not the pinnacle, then this is a bigger tarnish to the Olympic ideology

 

[nehmeth]

Protesting here.

Bat crap crazy should have been one of the choices.

 

[Kieran]

Protesting here.

Bat crap crazy should have been one of the choices.

I completely agree. It's like a virus in the schedule... :nono

 

[Carol]

In my opinion no one of the professional athletes should participe in the Olympics (Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Golf, etc etc) only amateurs but I understand that the professionals get a lot more attention and bring more money than the amateurs

 

[GameSetAndMath]

In my opinion no one of the professional athletes should participe in the Olympics (Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Golf, etc etc) only amateurs

Is this your way of ensuring that Rafa gets a gold medal? :snicker

 

[Carol]

In my opinion no one of the professional athletes should participe in the Olympics (Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Golf, etc etc) only amateurs

Is this your way of ensuring that Rafa gets a gold medal? :snicker

What Rafa has to do with my opinion? it's just IMO but anyway the professionals are participanting for years so if they win the Golden Medal good for them, don't you think? I'm sure that you would have liked that your boy would have won the G.M. playing the singles more than the doubles, isn't?

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

If trampoline , an activity only observed in America's Funniest Home Videos , is an Olympic sport, tennis is just fine. I am expecting hide and seek to be approved for the next games...

 

[Kieran]

In my opinion no one of the professional athletes should participe in the Olympics (Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Golf, etc etc) only amateurs

Is this your way of ensuring that Rafa gets a gold medal? :snicker

He already has one, buddy, and not a gold medal for couples tennis, either....

 

[El Dude]

In my opinion no one of the professional athletes should participe in the Olympics (Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Golf, etc etc) only amateurs but I understand that the professionals get a lot more attention and bring more money than the amateurs

Exactly this. That said, the NBA "dream team" of 1992 was fun to watch but it was also kind of ridiculous: they averaged 121-70 in their six games. It would be like Novak Djokovic playing the Olympics against players ranked outside the the top 50.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

tennis has a big place in the olympics. it is an original Olympic sport.

being played..

1896, 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1920, 1924,

not played..

1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984,

returning..

1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016.

included in 15 Olympic games, omitted from 13 Olympic games.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

all that amateur sport stuff just doesn't stack up. no one minds athletics where they earn big money in diamond league etc..

a lot of sports like modern pentathlon ?? I mean wtf is that ?..is fencing still in ?.

tennis adds some quality and global stars. or you can always focus on the beach volleyball lol..or synchronized swimming LOL.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Milos is not participating:

"It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my withdrawal from participation in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. After much deliberation with my family and coaches, I am making this decision for a variety of health concerns including the uncertainty around the Zika virus. This was a difficult, personal choice and I do not wish for it to impact the decision of any other athlete heading to the Games. I would like to thank Tennis Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee for their ongoing support. I am very proud to have competed for Canada at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and on the world stage at several Davis Cup events. I look forward to cheering on Team Canada this summer."

 

[Kieran]

all that amateur sport stuff just doesn't stack up. no one minds athletics where they earn big money in diamond league etc..

a lot of sports like modern pentathlon ?? I mean wtf is that ?..is fencing still in ?.

tennis adds some quality and global stars. or you can always focus on the beach volleyball lol..or synchronized swimming LOL.

The Olympic Games was always the star quality, and a place where stuff like Greco-Roman wrestling had its day in the limelight. Pentathlon too. Egg and spoon race and all, if they want it. But tennis has its own high spots, its own version of Gold and Silver, its grand slams, and its stars. It doesn't need the Olympics, and the Olympics never needed it...

 

[the AntiPusher]

In my opinion no one of the professional athletes should participe in the Olympics (Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Golf, etc etc) only amateurs

Is this your way of ensuring that Rafa gets a gold medal? :snicker

What Rafa has to do with my opinion? it's just IMO but anyway the professionals are participanting for years so if they win the Golden Medal good for them, don't you think? I'm sure that you would have liked that your boy would have won the G.M. playing the singles more than the doubles, isn't?

Hey if a few more players( hint hint djoker and Murray) pull out, then Rafa who isn't concerned because he isn't starting a family any time soon with his lovely girlfriend. Fed isn't concerned because his family is perfectly complete..my Lord twin boys and twin girls , what a lucky fella..maybe a Fedal:clap

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Olympics Odds for Men's singles.

Novak 1
Andy 3
Roger 10
Rafa 14
Stan 14

Basically, they are giving 50% chance to Novak, 25% chance to Andy and the remaining 25% chance to rest of the field.

 

[Carol]

Olympics Odds for Men's singles.

Novak 1
Andy 3
Roger 10
Rafa 14
Stan 14

Basically, they are giving 50% chance to Novak, 25% chance to Andy and the remaining 25% chance to rest of the field.

Who really cares about the Oods, look what happened in Wimbledon.......