Alcaraz: would rather win olympic gold..

[Incognito]

Carlitos would rather win Olympic gold than defending his wimbledon crown.

”The question, then, is obvious: would he prefer to successfully defend his Wimbledontitle or claim an Olympic gold in Paris?

“The Olympic Games are every four years and it’s a special tournament where you’re not only playing for yourself, but for a country, representing every Spaniard,” came Alcaraz’s reply. “I think this year I’d choose Olympic gold.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-roland-garros-2024-champion-feature

I would too. What if he Quits tennis in 2-3 years. Also, he has already won wimbledon. Is Carlos correct by olympics?

 

[Mediterranean Might]

It’s hard to put a value on the olympic gold. I think each player values it a bit differently, but in this case it sounds like Carlos wouldn’t pick it over Wimbledon if he hadn’t won it yet.

I’ve always believed Olympic gold sits above all tournament wins except for slams and I still stand by that

 

[johnmccabe]

This has been discussed many times here. Some couldn't care less about Olympics, others disagree.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Indeed, the Olympics is truly a prestigious tournament. Any ATG worth their salt would want to add the OSG to their CV. Without it their career is incomplete.

 

[UnforcedTerror]

It's only him and Nole out of the whole tour who would take it over Wimbledon or any other Slam.

 

[Deleted member 810491]

It's only him and Nole out of the whole tour who would take it over Wimbledon or any other Slam.

Link to all the other players on tour saying this?
I bet most would rather win a Gold medal than a Slam.
Nadal obviously would rather win 2024 Olympic Gold than a Slam, and he's already got TWO gold medals, and is only TWO slams behind the Slam Record.
Keen to see the quotes of players on this subject.

 

[tennis_pro]

NO HE WOULDN'T.

Hey look a Slamless player with Olympic Gold saying Gold is worth more than a Slam. In other news grass is green.

 

[mahatma]

Olympic gold is a big title. Wimbledon is a slam.

If he wins another slam - it’s his most successful season so far. If he wins Olympic gold - it’s still quite good but not as successful.

 

[Subway Tennis]

The most important men’s tournament this year is The Olympic Games men’s singles event.

All the top guys have made it very clear that this year they care more about that event than any other.

It’s what makes Djokovic’s injury even more frustrating imo. I feel sorry for Novak because 1000% that’s the event that he wanted more than anything and it’s where he would have been at his best. Hopefully he recovers in time for it.

 

[Mike Sams]

The most important men’s tournament this year is The Olympic Games men’s singles event.

All the top guys have made it very clear that this year they care more about that event than any other.

It’s what makes Djokovic’s injury even more frustrating imo. I feel sorry for Novak because 1000% that’s the event that he wanted more than anything and it’s where he would have been at his best. Hopefully he recovers in time for it.

Djokovic sucks at the Olympics. He should just skip it.

 

[Sentinel]

I know his mind inside out. He wants both

 

[ultimathule]

I'd rather he defend his Wimbledon crown. I'll watch Olympic tennis, but to me, swimming and track and field are the must-see events.

 

[messiahrobins]

Indeed, the Olympics is truly a prestigious tournament. Any ATG worth their salt would want to add the OSG to their CV. Without it their career is incomplete.

Graf Serena and Nadal have it and that makes it a huge deal. I have no idea why some claim its worthless.

 

[messiahrobins]

Olympic gold is a big title. Wimbledon is a slam.

If he wins another slam - it’s his most successful season so far. If he wins Olympic gold - it’s still quite good but not as successful.

Not sure thats true. in 2008 Nadal clearly wanted Olympic Gold more than USO and in his book i seem to recall him essentially say 2008 was his most memorable season because of te Olympics, which is controversial given his 2010.

I get both sides of the argument with this. Should tennis be in the Olympics? Probably not. To traditionalists it perhaps rankles. But by the same token on that basis the FO W and USO must carry more weight than the AO if you get the point.

To the newer generation the Olympics is huge, i was back in the 90's if i recall although the media tried to downplay it when Agassi won it when he was going through one of his off the rail periods and Sampras couldnt win it much to their chagrin.

Id like the Olympics to be best of 5 sets. But i feel uncomfortable with it as the players are multi-millionaires whereas most athletes in the Olympic village are not even as wealthy as doctors or lawyers.

 

[messiahrobins]

NO HE WOULDN'T.

Hey look a Slamless player with Olympic Gold saying Gold is worth more than a Slam. In other news grass is green.

Alcaraz has 3 slams

 

[The Blond Blur]

Graf Serena and Nadal have it and that makes it a huge deal. I have no idea why some claim its worthless.

 

[ibbi]

I mean, if he values the Olympic Gold then he's right, obviously.

We are now coming into one more generation of top guys (we'll see how Sinner, Rune, and the others are with it. We know Shelton has already opted out...) who absolutely do, so it's becoming increasingly harder for people here to try and treat the event like it's nothing.

 

[18x20 ftw]

All I hear every day on ttw is Zverev no slams this, Zverev slamless that. Never once have I read here, “Well, he has an Olympic gold….” Not a Zverev fan, I’m just bringing this up as anecdotal evidence. It’s just the way it is, a slam is worth a bit more I think.

 

[Nappa]

Olympic gold medal is becoming increasingly desirable it seems among tennis players.

Youngsters kind of feel that it would mean huge in their future resume

My precious...

 

[Mainad]

Well, Olympics come round only every 4 years so he's probably thinking he must strike while the iron is hot because who knows what will happen 4 years down the line. He already has the Wimbledon title under his belt so can focus on repeating that another time if he wishes. Of course he can still defend it and go on to win the gold medal. Who knows but I suspect he's going to have some fierce competition for it this time round!

 

[ChaelAZ]

It is a sporadic honor for country, not just self, so it has a special place in all sports as an achievement and helps players stand out in tennis.

 

[tennisjedi]

I agree with Alcaraz. Prioritize the singles Olympic gold medal because the Olympics is every four years plus it’s played on clay this year. Other than 2012 when Olympic tennis was on grass, it’s always on hard courts. Winning a sog medal on hard is already rare but to do it on grass or clay is even rarer.

 

[FeroBango]

All I hear every day on ttw is Zverev no slams this, Zverev slamless that. Never once have I read here, “Well, he has an Olympic gold….” Not a Zverev fan, I’m just bringing this up as anecdotal evidence. It’s just the way it is, a slam is worth a bit more I think.

Z of 2021 was a mythical beast

 

[Mainad]

I agree with Alcaraz. Prioritize the singles Olympic gold medal because the Olympics is every four years plus it’s played on clay this year. Other than 2012 when Olympic tennis was on grass, it’s always on hard courts. Winning a sog medal on hard is already rare but to do it on grass or clay is even rarer.

Only 1 player did it on 2 different surfaces.

 

[Rovesciarete]

I mean, if he values the Olympic Gold then he's right, obviously.

We are now coming into one more generation of top guys (we'll see how Sinner, Rune, and the others are with it. We know Shelton has already opted out...) who absolutely do, so it's becoming increasingly harder for people here to try and treat the event like it's nothing.

Sinner saying pretty much the same. Times have changed, largely also due to the big 3. Kids grew up watching them…

 

[No_Kwan_Do]

How much you value an OG is entirely dependent on the individual. As to which means more to win between a slam or an OG, just ask Nadal, Murray, Graf, Capriati, Davenport, Serena, Kafelnikov, Agassi or Henin. You may or may not get a range of different answers.

Some are extremely patriotic and would drag their balls through broken glass for their country, others couldn't care less about the flag next to their name.

Carlos evidently values playing for and representing his country. Not only that, you maybe get 3 or 4 shots maximum at realistically winning an OG in your career.

 

[Nappa]

He can have the two maybe

 

[Hitman]

It clearly meant a lot to him. As much as I was happy that Djokovic finally won the gold, watching Alcaraz cry was sad to see, but he showed how much he wanted it.

He will bounce back, he is only 21. This was his first Olympics, many more to come. We have yet to see the best version of him. No question in 2028 he will be an absolute monster.

I believe his time will come. He is a fast learner.