Relative Value of different Grand Slams

[TsarMatt]

^But, on the other hand, RG might become the jewel of the crown for everyone else, specially if it is done by beating Nadal in the process. For Nadal himself, however, there's nothing like this available.

Yeah, true 'dat.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Let me state a fact to this thread: The French Open gets more worldwide coverage than the US Open. Outside of North America, it is the bigger tournament. And I'm someone who thinks that right now, all slams are virtually equal (especially in players and tennis hardcore fans' eyes), with Wimbledon having a slight edge in prestige.

That's debatable. Would love to see stats. Anyway.. board meetings tomorrow so off to sleep!

It's really not. I explained to you how much of a factor time zone differences is in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and how the clay-centered South America is more consumed with the FO. That's a pretty significant part of the globe.

 

[El Dude]

If the US Open has slipped a bit, I wonder how much of it has to do with the decline in American tennis. After probably being the dominant nation in the After holding year-end #1 ranking in 17 of 26 years from 1974-99 (5 Connors, 4 McEnroe, 1 Courier, 6 Sampras, 1 Agassi), the US hasn't had an elite since Andre Agassi retired eight years ago. Andy Roddick was the closest thing, and he was more of a borderline elite player, at least after Rafa and Novak rose up and pushed him down the rankings.

I wrote about this last year, but there just hasn't been any top American players over the last few years. Mardy Fish? John Isner? Sam Querrey? The younger generation hasn't really blossomed, although Jack Sock looks decent. I suppose there's hope in Jared Donaldson or Francis Tiafoe.

 

[Kieran]

When did the US Open slip a bit?

 

[tented]

When did the US Open slip a bit?

It's a specialized surface (the only GS to use DecoTurf).

 

[Kieran]

When did the US Open slip a bit?

It's a specialized surface (the only GS to use DecoTurf).

But this doesn't mean it slipped (unless it was raining a little, of course :snigger )

The four majors rank the same, and maybe one or two pay more. To the players, the most prestigious is the one they want the most. In Rafa's case, that would be Wimbledon or Oz, and for Nole, it would be Paris. For Roger and Andy, and everyone else, it would be any of 'em, at this stage...

 

[tented]

[^ I was joking.]

 

[Kieran]

[^ I was joking.]

:lolz: Sorry brother - it's cold over here, got brain-freeze!

 

[brokenshoelace]

I don't think the US Open slipped, necessarily. If anything, we're reaching a point where all slams hold equal importance in the eyes of fans. Many of us here actually name the Australian Open as their favorite slam (myself included). That tournament has come a long way.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Is Wawrinka's Australian Open win (ignoring the circumstances of the final, in case someone wants to bring it up) less valuable than Novak's Wimbledon win? No. They are both worth the same in terms of points and importance. No player, expert or fan thinks: "Yeah, but Wawrinka 'only' won the AO. Novak won Wimbledon!"

However, if you give a player the choice to win one, they MIGHT opt for Wimbledon, hence its little bit of added prestige. That's it. Beyond that, I don't think there's any point of comparing the slams.

 

[DarthFed]

^ Spot on. The value of all the slams are the same, as in a player who wins the AO is not going to be considered lesser than one who won Wimbledon if everything else is equal in their careers. Now, it would probably be a case that both players would prefer Wimbledon over AO but that's all about prestige.

 

[shawnbm]

[^ I was joking.]

:lolz: Sorry brother - it's cold over here, got brain-freeze!

Sounds like it is high time to get inside and enjoy a nice warm brandy--McDaid's or Temple Bar would do the trick! :celeb: