Article re: Williams Sisters & Olympics

[tennis_ocd]

The ITF recognizes the importance of an olympic metal in a players resume - a gold being almost grand slam like, and have resulted to holding participation hostage to lesser tournaments. For 2016 it'll be a required 4x availability.

I want to see the best and most enjoyable to represent the US. McHale or Serena? Really??

[TMF]

Originally Posted by THUNDERVOLLEY

Apparently you did, since you were troubled enough to post....when you could have skipped the thread. Ah, but you must maintain your troll cred, so here you are.

And who care about what you say. Troll !

[Tcbtennis]

Originally Posted by Tennis_Hands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRUjr8EVgBg

A Ray Charles American classic! I love this rendition. I actually bought this song on my iPhone a few months ago.

[mellowyellow]

So does anyone know how Serena qualifies? I would really like for this to be explained and searching doe not seem to turn anything up.

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Originally Posted by tennis_ocd

I want to see the best and most enjoyable to represent the US. McHale or Serena? Really??

There's only one best hope for American women to win at the Olympics--it is all so clear, but few are willing to admit it.

[cghipp]

Originally Posted by Tcbtennis

For individual countries the medal count is what is important. The U.S. needs Serena on the team if they have any chance of collecting a medal in tennis. Especially since it is being played on grass, there are no other American women apart from Serena and Venus who have a chance to earn medals. Not even close.

For a select group of countries, the medal count is important. The majority are actually there for something closer to the actual purpose of the Olympics.

In Beijing, only 43 countries won five or more medals of any kind, out of 204 participating nations. 116 countries won no medals. China and the US won 100 and 110, respectively. I think we can let one or two potential medals go as a tradeoff for having some semblance of integrity in our selection process.

[cghipp]

Originally Posted by El Diablo

"busting their butts for Fed Cup" may be a bit of a stretch. Both Fed Cup and Davis Cup players are paid, and for the lesser players the amount may not be trivial.

It was more effort than some other players were willing to subject themselves to.

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by cghipp

For a select group of countries, the medal count is important. The majority are actually there for something closer to the actual purpose of the Olympics.

In Beijing, only 43 countries won five or more medals of any kind, out of 204 participating nations. 116 countries won no medals. China and the US won 100 and 110, respectively. I think we can let one or two potential medals go as a tradeoff for having some semblance of integrity in our selection process.

I agree. But perhaps we could allow the sisters to be on the wrestling team?

[jokinla]

Originally Posted by drakulie

I agree. But perhaps we could allow the sisters to be on the wrestling team?

Is competitive eating in the Olympics yet, perhaps hot dogs.

[tennis_ocd]

Originally Posted by jokinla

Is competitive eating in the Olympics yet, perhaps hot dogs.

Perhaps the ITF can require participation in four courtside hot dog contests as an Olympic requirement.

Curious, what do playing in the Fed Cup and Davis Cup have to do with playing for your country in the Olympics?

[Tcbtennis]

Originally Posted by cghipp

For a select group of countries, the medal count is important. The majority are actually there for something closer to the actual purpose of the Olympics.

In Beijing, only 43 countries won five or more medals of any kind, out of 204 participating nations. 116 countries won no medals. China and the US won 100 and 110, respectively. I think we can let one or two potential medals go as a tradeoff for having some semblance of integrity in our selection process.

I understand your point and do not completely disagree. In fact, France may not let their #1 women's player, Marion Bartoli, compete because she hasn't competed in Fed Cup for years. And she did make it to the Wimbledon final a few years ago. So they are taking altough stand. The Williams sisters have played Fed Cup (most likely to be able to compete in the Olympics). And the process does allow for some leeway. 

To your other point, the U.S. is one of the 43 countries that earned more than five medals. In fact, our TV coverage is so American biased because we want to see our boys and girls win medals. Serena Williams is by far one of the best tennis players currently playing today and is a 4 time singles Wimbledon champion (4 time doubles champion). 

Maria Sharapova is as Russian as I am and only competed or "made herself available" for Fed Cup to play in the Olympics for Russia. Let's not cut off our nose to spite our face. The U.S. has a deep tennis history with many of the best players to ever play this game. We have 2 of the best grass court players currently in our midst and it would be a shame if these women were not allowed to compete. 

[brettsticker86]

If the rules are clearly laid out and there is no discrepancy in the fact that they did not follow the rules, it's pretty clear. You break the rules, you pay the consequences. Having said that, idk what the rules are and if they have in fact broken them.

[NadalAgassi]

Originally Posted by TMF

The WS didn't win the single gold for their country in 2008.

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug...sp-olytennis18

Sisters win doubles gold
BEIJING 2008
Venus and Serena Williams beat Spanish duo, 6-2, 6-0, repeat what they did eight years ago at Games.

Facts have never been your strong suit (well nothing is really, other than trolling and bad spelling).

[Magnetite]

If the U.S.A wants a realistic shot at the gold medal they should put in Serena.

I'm not so sure about Venus right now though.

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Originally Posted by Tcbtennis

In fact, our TV coverage is so American biased because we want to see our boys and girls win medals. Serena Williams is by far one of the best tennis players currently playing today and is a 4 time singles Wimbledon champion (4 time doubles champion). 

We have 2 of the best grass court players currently in our midst and it would be a shame if these women were not allowed to compete.

Agreed. The U.S. Olympic team, or fans can talk all day about the "spirit of competition," or whatever, but the number one priority is winning gold, and there's no question that in order to increase the odds of that, you have to use the best American women of a generation (or more). There's just no question.

[cknobman]

I am a stickler for the rules. If you dont follow the rules and dont meet the requirements you simply should not get to play, period.

America is a victim of its own morals. Our country has all kinds of problems from financial to criminal, political, etc... because we dont hold people accountable for their actions. There is always a "but" and always a reason to break/change/bend the rules for a "circumstance".

[Tennishacker]

Originally Posted by cknobman

I am a stickler for the rules. If you dont follow the rules and dont meet the requirements you simply should not get to play, period.

America is a victim of its own morals. Our country has all kinds of problems from financial to criminal, political, etc... because we dont hold people accountable for their actions. There is always a "but" and always a reason to break/change/bend the rules for a "circumstance".

Yes, how many went to prison from the latest financial crisis?

I remember the last Olympics in China, vastness of empty seats during the semis of the women's draw.

[tennis_ocd]

Originally Posted by cknobman

Our country has all kinds of problems from financial to criminal, political, etc... because we dont hold people accountable for their actions.

Add the problem of winning olympic gold because we don't hold Serena accountable for her dedication to becoming the best US women's single's player... or she had the gall to do it in a way that the ITF disapproves.

[cknobman]

Originally Posted by tennis_ocd

Add the problem of winning olympic gold because we don't hold Serena accountable for her dedication to becoming the best US women's single's player... or she had the gall to do it in a way that the ITF disapproves.

This post is wrong in so many ways it not worth pointing out.

My point is if the Williams sisters have met the criteria (which is defined pretty clearly) to represent USA in the olympics then they deserve to be there.
If they have not then the other players who have met the criteria deserve to go.

[chmee]

Originally Posted by drakulie

They should also bend the rules and allow Serena to serve from inside the baseline.

lol

For me the best players should be nominated. Regardless of some 'rules' the USTA/ITF have announced. Only the rankings should count.

And I do not think Davis/Fed-Cup are lesser events as suggested above. They are in my view highlights of the season. If players do not want to enter, it is their choice.

There is no logical connection to the olympic games however, where the best athletes should compete. In another individual sports like tennis the qualification is often decided by special acchievements (ie 90m in jawelin throw), rather than part taking in team events.