Marat Safin nominated for the Hall of Fame - Justified?

[britbox]

So, Marat is a nominee for the Hall of Fame:

http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13952721/justine-henin-marat-safin-nominated-international-tennis-hall-fame

As a Safin fan, I think he's done enough to be in there.  2 Majors, other finals, a short stint at #1.

Other disagree, I read this online:

2 slams should not be considered HOF material especially for Safin since he was MIA for quite a long time stemming from injuries or his own doing.. Im sorry.. Yess even Chang shouldn be in the HOF.. At least not a Legit HOF.. Neither should Roddick (consistent top 10 players and 1 slam isnt good enough), Hewitt or others.. They didnt have HOF careers. The HOF should be reserved for the elite with long prosperous careers and more slam counts.

Thoughts?

 

[Moxie]

Like you, I'm a Safin fan.  When he won his 2nd Major, I remember looking up the list on Wikipedia.  You'd be surprised how short it is, even if you include everyone who has won 2 Majors.  So that's something.  Mauresmo just got in, and I think she has 2 Majors.  If they give bonus points for "character" and most-racquets smashed, that may have helped.  But here's another point:  he ushered in the era of "big-man" tennis, and to my mind, he's still the best of all of the guys over 6'4...a benchmark there of movement, shot-making, and much, much more than a big serve.

 

[Billie]

If the HOF should be reserved for the elite with long prosperous careers and more slam counts (how many?) then the list would not be really that long.  Basketball HOF has players who never won an NBA championship, but they get in anyway, on other achievements.  For me, Safin deserves the honor, winning 2 majors alone is a great achievement.

 

[isabelle]

I adore tsar Marat and I'm happy for him

 

[brokenshoelace]

Easily justified.

 

[atttomole]

Safin was a tennis genius and he won two slams, and I also think it is justified.

 

[britbox]

Safin was a tennis genius and he won two slams, and I also think it is justified.

Agreed. Popular appeal of Marat aside... if 2 slams and a #1 stint (albeit very short) isn't enough, then seeing as they induct people every year, then they are going to fast run out of candidates in a few years.

 

[Moxie]

atttomole wrote:
Safin was a tennis genius and he won two slams, and I also think it is justified.

Agreed. Popular appeal of Marat aside… if 2 slams and a #1 stint (albeit very short) isn’t enough, then seeing as they induct people every year, then they are going to fast run out of candidates in a few years.

They induct players and people who are otherwise influential in the sport.  I would hope they don't feel obligated to induct players every year, otherwise it waters down the accomplishment.