Davis Cup Quarter Finals

[GameSetAndMath]

Obviously, that is funny. But can he actually get an invitation, based on his resume? I should think that would be fair. Not for everyone, but for the likes of Rafa and Roger...you'd think they'd have them, anyway.

I don't think they will invite Roger if he did not even play a single DC tie since the last Olympics. If he played some and falling short of the required number, they may give an exception.

Further, I actually think it would be unfair to invite Roger violating the rules if he did not legitimately meet the requirements. After all, he is going there to represent the country and if he did not represent in DC ties, he should lose the eligibility as per the rules.

 

[Moxie]

I don't think they will invite Roger if he did not even play a single DC tie since the last Olympics. If he played some and falling short of the required number, they may give an exception.

Further, I actually think it would be unfair to invite Roger violating the rules if he did not legitimately meet the requirements. After all, he is going there to represent the country and if he did not represent in DC ties, he should lose the eligibility as per the rules.

I take your point, but I don't actually agree. If a player has reached a very high status in the sport, and a certain age, it might be fair to give them an invitation to the Olympics by virtue of their status in the sport. Tennis isn't like other sports where you go through qualifying for the Olympics. IMO, a player who has 1000+ wins on the tour, has committed X-amount of time to DC across his career, including winning one, should be considered eligible for a...let's call it "protected ranking." At this age, Roger is going to be judicious about where he plays, and random DC ties, just for the sake of the Olympics, seems punitive. I can see an exemption. Tennis makes a lot of exemptions for years served to the sport. If they're not going to play off to qualify for the Olympics, then I think some players should be considered eligible by virtue of status and overall service, especially if they're not stealing a spot for a more qualified player from their country. What are the chances that Switzerland is going to have 4 qualified players better than Roger in 2020?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I take your point, but I don't actually agree. If a player has reached a very high status in the sport, and a certain age, it might be fair to give them an invitation to the Olympics by virtue of their status in the sport. Tennis isn't like other sports where you go through qualifying for the Olympics. IMO, a player who has 1000+ wins on the tour, has committed X-amount of time to DC across his career, including winning one, should be considered eligible for a...let's call it "protected ranking." At this age, Roger is going to be judicious about where he plays, and random DC ties, just for the sake of the Olympics, seems punitive. I can see an exemption. Tennis makes a lot of exemptions for years served to the sport. If they're not going to play off to qualify for the Olympics, then I think some players should be considered eligible by virtue of status and overall service, especially if they're not stealing a spot for a more qualified player from their country. What are the chances that Switzerland is going to have 4 qualified players better than Roger in 2020?

I somewhat see your point. But, I don't like special treatments. At the minimum, they should create a new rule and say it will be applicable to all players from now on.

Swiss may not have worthy players (except Stan perhaps, but he is also not playing DC). That does not mean Swiss gets to send four lousy players. The four is only a maximum limit for a country. If a country does not have any worthy players, then some other country would get a chance as the total slots are limited. So, your second argument is somewhat shaky.

 

[Moxie]

I somewhat see your point. But, I don't like special treatments. At the minimum, they should create a new rule and say it will be applicable to all players from now on.

Swiss may not have worthy players (except Stan perhaps, but he is also not playing DC). That does not mean Swiss gets to send four lousy players. The four is only a maximum limit for a country. If a country does not have any worthy players, then some other country would get a chance as the total slots are limited. So, your second argument is somewhat shaky.

OK, I somewhat get that...that Roger wouldn't just be taking the slot of a Swiss player, but a player from another country...is that they idea? If that's the case I would still argue that there are loads of players that make the Olympics cut that wouldn't make a serious MS or 500 cut, just because the line is country not ranking. I know this is slightly hilarious that I'm arguing for Roger and you against him, but I do think the point of the Olympics is that the best players should play. Other sports have jumped over the ones that qualified for the ones they think more likely to win. It's not that cut and dried.

 

[Federberg]

I'm against favouritism too. If Roger wants to play he should go through the stipulated process. Fair is fair

 

[Moxie]

Fair enough, but I think they said it's a possibility.

 

[DarthFed]

I agree that Roger should have to qualify like anyone else. And assuming he's still playing there is no doubt he will want to play in the 2020 Olympics. Should be on a fast HC I think, one last good shot at a singles Gold.

 

[Moxie]

I agree that Roger should have to qualify like anyone else. And assuming he's still playing there is no doubt he will want to play in the 2020 Olympics. Should be on a fast HC I think, one last good shot at a singles Gold.

Why do you think fast HC, in particular? I'm sure it will be HC, of course. What suits Nishikori's game? Or maybe I should ask: Nishioka's or Daniels'?

 

[DarthFed]

Why do you think fast HC, in particular? I'm sure it will be HC, of course. What suits Nishikori's game? Or maybe I should ask: Nishioka's or Daniels'?

I figure it will be somewhat similar to Beijing Olympics but who knows.