Article re: Williams Sisters & Olympics
- Thread starter woodrow1029
- Start date
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
I don't think any "bad behavior" is at issue, simply that they haven't technically met the requirements.
Bud
Bionic Poster
Big dilemma for the ITF. The Williams sisters always pull in a ton of people to watch their matches... especially if they were to play doubles. Perhaps, the ITF can give Venus one of the wildcards available. I think Serena has already qualified for the Olympics.
Huber, Raymond, King or McHale should be allowed to play based on their participation and achievements.
Serena did help the USA win last month in the Ukraine. Venus is the biggest issue as her ranking isn't high enough for direct entry and her Fed Cup participation requirement has not been met.
Huber, Raymond, King or McHale should be allowed to play based on their participation and achievements.
Serena did help the USA win last month in the Ukraine. Venus is the biggest issue as her ranking isn't high enough for direct entry and her Fed Cup participation requirement has not been met.
Carsomyr
Legend
At first I thought he was using irony by saying that the sisters should get to play despite not meeting requirements and at the expense of other players. And then I realized he was completely serious. Who is this guy? This article is awful, whether you agree with his opinions or not.
They have met the requirements, which seem to just "be available," isn't it? If there is a loophole, it should be exploited. Sometimes loopholes are deliberately not filled to allow exceptions.
If someone things not, they can file a lawsuit. It is none of the sisters' business what others do. They have every right to exploit every loophole, just like everyone else.
If someone things not, they can file a lawsuit. It is none of the sisters' business what others do. They have every right to exploit every loophole, just like everyone else.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
I thought Serena had qualified as well due to meeting the ranking requirement. But, according to the article, a player has to make themselves available for Fed Cup during two different calendar years between Olympics (or something like that). Serena has played this year (2012), but had not played since 2007. So, since the last Olympics was in 2008, Serena has only made herself available during one calendar year between Olympics.
woodrow1029
Hall of Fame
Quoted for absolute truth!
Bud
Bionic Poster
I hear ya.. however, if you Google it, every news story says Serena has qualified. So, she must have just slipped in since she did make herself 'available' (although it didn't happen) to play Fed Cup within the past few years. The requirements are pretty murky.
DjokovicForTheWin
Banned
Who cares...
TERRASTAR18
Hall of Fame
for once i agree with you.....
mellowyellow
Legend
Would like to know when she was "available"? I find it hard to believe she was "available" and did not play. Can you be "available" with an injury?
cknobman
Legend
Follow the rules or there will be more problems with many other players in the future.
As for "needing" the Williams sisters for attendance I dont think that applies. WTA has been doing fine without them and this is the Olympics there will be tons of people there regardless of the Willimas sisters.
As for "needing" the Williams sisters for attendance I dont think that applies. WTA has been doing fine without them and this is the Olympics there will be tons of people there regardless of the Willimas sisters.
After what happened to Lisa Raymond with the Sydney Olympics, I am absolutely opposed to any rules being stretched, broken, changed, etc. to allow people onto the team who aren't strictly qualified. I think the girls who have been busting their butts for Fed Cup over the last few years are the ones who deserve to go.
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.
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
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.
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
True, but that dose of truth will stop some from dodging the obvious about America's chances.
tennis_ocd
Hall of Fame
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??
I want to see the best and most enjoyable to represent the US. McHale or Serena? Really??
And who care about what you say. Troll !
A Ray Charles American classic! I love this rendition. I actually bought this song on my iPhone a few months ago.
mellowyellow
Legend
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
G.O.A.T.
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.
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.
It was more effort than some other players were willing to subject themselves to.
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
Is competitive eating in the Olympics yet, perhaps hot dogs.
tennis_ocd
Hall of Fame
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?
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
Rookie
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.
N
NadalAgassi
Guest
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/18/sports/sp-olytennis18
Facts have never been your strong suit (well nothing is really, other than trolling and bad spelling).
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
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
Legend
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".
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
Professional
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
Hall of Fame
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
Legend
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
Professional
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.
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