The Olympics Don't Matter

TTMR · 08-05-2012, 07:42 AM

Look, I'm not trying to detract from Murray's win here, but let's be honest, this event has never been played by all the top players nor taken as seriously by them. The fact that Nadal isn't here speaks volumes. There is no tradition to Olympic tennis; it's an exhibition, albeit a less raucous one. The Olympics are only worth 750 points. Less than a damn Masters, yet people are making such a big deal over it, as if this match is a game-changer for Murray. Federer had a brutal semi-final, and at his age, needs to conserve himself for things that matter, like Cincy, the USO and Basel. I think that's why he played one-strike tennis...

Which brings me to my next point: This tournament should not have been played at Wimbledon. It was grass for one day, and became clay the next. Nadal would have waltzed to this title. I've been a landscaper for years, and I know you simply can't replant and successfully grow lush, pristine grass in a matter of weeks. It was a joke, and on that second day I knew an aggressive player wouldn't do jack here. The Olympics should have been played at O2, where the courts are perfect all year round.

When it all comes down to it, in a really big moment, we've seen time and time again Murray collapses under the pressure. Winning a mickey mouse title like this isn't going to change anything. Even Monte Carlo has more prestige. Murray will fold like a cheap tent come USO time, and a real champion will own the glory.

zagor · 08-05-2012, 07:46 AM

You do realize most people will not realize this is sarcasm?

Still, it would be interesting to see if you have the same attitude toward Nadal fans calling a 1500 points worth year end event a cheesy meaningless exo.

ViscaB · 08-05-2012, 07:47 AM

Why bother to make a thread about it if it all doesn't matter.

Ico · 08-05-2012, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViscaB

Why bother to make a thread about it if it all doesn't matter.

To counterbalance your kind's incessant trolling after the match.

TTMR · 08-05-2012, 08:02 AM

Let's also remember that the organizers deliberately opened the roof in order to benefit Murray, despite the high likelihood of recurrent precipitation. They gambled and got lucky this time, but on a day like this the roof should have remained closed.

zagor · 08-05-2012, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ico

To counterbalance your kind's incessant trolling after the match.

Actually, the OP isn't counterbalancing anything, he's a massive Nadal fan ridiculing Fed fans for downplaying the importance of a SOG (despite the fact that a number of Fed fans congratulated Murray on his big victory).

smoledman · 08-05-2012, 07:49 AM

I agree, the surface turned out to be a joke.

Seany · 08-05-2012, 07:49 AM

People don't seem to realize the O2 is not a tennis arena...They just slap a surface down for 10 days November, then it's back to music concerts etc...

I do agree that the Olympics should have been held there if possible though.

tank_job · 08-05-2012, 08:06 AM

I agree with this thread.

An Olympic Gold is worth equal or less than an ATP tour 250 event in prestige.

And the pathetic field Murray got through is disguising the fact that Murray is already declining and will never make it past a slam QF again - book it.

veritech · 08-05-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank_job

I agree with this thread.

An Olympic Gold is worth equal or less than an ATP tour 250 event in prestige.

And the pathetic field Murray got through is disguising the fact that Murray is already declining and will never make it past a slam QF again - book it.

LOL. i'll gladly take that bet with you.

TheF1Bob · 08-05-2012, 08:11 AM

I'd rather win Estoril than win this crap.

tank_job · 08-05-2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheF1Bob

I'd rather win Estoril than win this crap.

I'd rather sh!t glass than win this cr@p.

jaggy · 08-05-2012, 08:13 AM

Yea Federer and Del potro didnt care at all that they didnt get gold.

TMF · 08-05-2012, 08:14 AM

It's just another tournament. Frankly it feel much like a MS. However it's special for Murray because he's playing at home.

zagor · 08-05-2012, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMF

It's just another tournament. Frankly it feel much like a MS. However it's special for Murray because he's playing at home.

Nah, it didn't feel like that at all, Fed-Delpo SF had so much drama it was incredible.

tank_job · 08-05-2012, 08:16 AM

to top it all off, his win will have a massive asterisk over it because he didn't face Nadal, who, as well all know, owns Murray on grass, even with no knees.

TheF1Bob · 08-05-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMF

It's just another tournament. Frankly it feel much like a MS. However it's special for Murray because he's playing at home.

Exactly. The only thing I like was the Olympic tie break rule but apart from that, it was lame.

TennisBatman · 08-05-2012, 08:37 AM

A major embarrasment for Federer...

Not the end result, but the score.

TTMR · 08-05-2012, 04:03 PM

Federer may say winning the Olympic gold was important to him because he had never won it and because he was representing Switzerland, but he's just being politically correct. Great champions have never excelled at the Olympics. It's a short week with a meager draw, mostly played best-of-three. It's been won primarily by has-beens and never-wases. Federer is more than satisfied with the silver in terms of representing the white cross. Why go all out trying to outgrind the pusher of all pushers when there is another Cincy just around the corner? A tournament played on a genuine fast surface (most years), I might add.

I think the fact that it comes around only once every four years is skewing perception and making this 24 year "tradition" seemingly more prestigious than it is. It's a 500 and change, and about as meaningful as the NFL Pro Bowl.

Mainad · 08-05-2012, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTMR

Federer may say winning the Olympic gold was important to him because he had never won it and because he was representing Switzerland, but he's just being politically correct. Great champions have never excelled at the Olympics.

Agassi 1996, Nadal 2008?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTMR

It's a short week with a meager draw, mostly played best-of-three. It's been won primarily by has-beens and never-wases. Federer is more than satisfied with the silver in terms of representing the white cross. Why go all out trying to outgrind the pusher of all pushers when there is another Cincy just around the corner? A tournament played on a genuine fast surface (most years), I might add.

Well, the 'pusher of all pushers' has won that one twice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTMR

I think the fact that it comes around only once every four years is skewing perception and making this 24 year "tradition" seemingly more prestigious than it is. It's a 500 and change, and about as meaningful as the NFL Pro Bowl.

Oh I suspect you'd be singing a different tune about its worth if Federer had actually won the gold medal he had so set his heart on winning!

08-05-2012, 07:42 AM	#1
TTMR Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,609	The Olympics Don't Matter Look, I'm not trying to detract from Murray's win here, but let's be honest, this event has never been played by all the top players nor taken as seriously by them. The fact that Nadal isn't here speaks volumes. There is no tradition to Olympic tennis; it's an exhibition, albeit a less raucous one. The Olympics are only worth 750 points. Less than a damn Masters, yet people are making such a big deal over it, as if this match is a game-changer for Murray. Federer had a brutal semi-final, and at his age, needs to conserve himself for things that matter, like Cincy, the USO and Basel. I think that's why he played one-strike tennis... Which brings me to my next point: This tournament should not have been played at Wimbledon. It was grass for one day, and became clay the next. Nadal would have waltzed to this title. I've been a landscaper for years, and I know you simply can't replant and successfully grow lush, pristine grass in a matter of weeks. It was a joke, and on that second day I knew an aggressive player wouldn't do jack here. The Olympics should have been played at O2, where the courts are perfect all year round. When it all comes down to it, in a really big moment, we've seen time and time again Murray collapses under the pressure. Winning a mickey mouse title like this isn't going to change anything. Even Monte Carlo has more prestige. Murray will fold like a cheap tent come USO time, and a real champion will own the glory. __________________ Bills looking good, will win Super Bowl.

08-05-2012, 07:47 AM	#3
ViscaB Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2010 Location: Singapore Posts: 2,115	Why bother to make a thread about it if it all doesn't matter. __________________ Hup Holland Hup, Visca el Barça i visca Catalunya. Hong Kong Photo gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/xavibarca/

08-05-2012, 08:02 AM	#5
TTMR Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,609	Let's also remember that the organizers deliberately opened the roof in order to benefit Murray, despite the high likelihood of recurrent precipitation. They gambled and got lucky this time, but on a day like this the roof should have remained closed. __________________ Bills looking good, will win Super Bowl.

08-05-2012, 08:11 AM	#11
TheF1Bob Legend Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Leicester Posts: 5,713	I'd rather win Estoril than win this crap. __________________ Les Misérables Scandal - Novak Djokovic was screwed by one Pascal Maria. Novak Djokovic is our rightful champion.

08-05-2012, 08:14 AM	#14
TMF G.O.A.T. Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13,951	It's just another tournament. Frankly it feel much like a MS. However it's special for Murray because he's playing at home. __________________ NadalAgassi: I think Serena's final slam tally will be something from 18-27. My best guess is 24 or 25 though; Nole(2010) will never win Wimbledon