Federer doesn't need a Singles Olympic Gold

[Morj]

No one is saying that this means he's not the GOAT...Obviously he's GOAT by sheer fact that he's got records and achievements across the board. That being said the Olympic Gold is pretty much the last prestigious award he has yet to win. "Career Golden Slam" is when you've won the top 5 most prestigious tourneys, and I am sure that Federer would love to have that achievement under his belt.

But still, he doesn't "need" it to prove he's GOAT. He does "need" it to fill a hole on his resume.

 

[Bobby Jr]

But that is not how we view achievement in tennis.

It is an esoteric call. My point was (using subtle sarcasm) people do think Usain Bolt's gold is more amazing than say Ashton Eaton's. But the Olympic movement doesn't - the goal is the pinnacle achievement in whatever discipline you contest in whether it be swimming where they hand out medals like tic-tacs or the decathlon where an athlete has to compete in ten separate disciplines over two days and will only have two realistic chances in their career to win a medal.

We don't decide what an Olympic medal is worth. It may not line up in the way most tennis achievements traditionally are rated but a reverse comparison can be made with the points scenario. Fools say: the Olympics is worth less than the WTF because it offers only half the ranking points. But the reality is few players would rather have a WTF title than an Olympic gold. It is worth more for other reasons - ones which do not have any rhyme or reason when it comes to ranking points. Ranking points don't add up to achievement other than to form a ranking - they don't indicate definitively how great each tournament is as an achievement.

Conversely, Wimbledon and the Australian Open do earn the same ranking points but they clearly are not equal achievements in terms of how tennis players are judged historically and right up to this day. Again, it's only for the sake of simplicity that these two clearly different achievements are worth exactly the same when it comes to working out who the best player of the year was. By rights, when you look at how Wimbledon is judged in tennis history books compared to the Australian Open, it should be worth 50% more in ranking points terms. Or even more.

Now, back to the Olympics. With it being clear that tennis does not evenly rate all achievements either in terms of what they should be worth to your ranking points or how important/desirably they are to have on your resume to be considered great, similarly it seems barely a stretch to say and Olympic doubles gold should be regarded as just as great an achievement as a singles one.

Federer is an Olympic champion in tennis, period. If it being in doubles is such a blight on the achievement because it's not his main sport or is effectively a different event then he should get plenty of heart for being a more diverse athlete to have been the most successful tennis player in modern history and won an Olympic gold in effectively a different sport as well.*

(* or, he's so good he showed up and won the biggest event in doubles - it must have made the doubles specialists feel pretty stink)

 

[Smasher08]

Federer doesn't "need" it, but it's a hole in his otherwise stellar resume. 2012 was his best chance, but he probably should've won in 2004 or 2008.

Federer has the fewest holes in his resume of any tennis player in world history.

No one will ever hold every record. Big deal.

 

[Smasher08]

Well, Fed won on blue clay. That proves he has a mindset to win something that comes only once in a lifetime.

I think lack of blue clay titles is a serious dent in Nadals resume. I mean on his best surface once in a lifetime event, he choked.

Nadal not only choked, he choked against a chump who was otherwise his pigeon.

If we're talking about holes in one's resume, that's a pretty epic fail.

 

[Smasher08]

But that is not how we view achievement in tennis.

Oh dear, are you using the Royal We here? Or are you referring to your fellow Nad fans?

 

[Bobby Jr]

Federer has the fewest holes in his resume of any tennis player in world history.

No one will ever hold every record. Big deal.

This^

If that's the main hole in his resume he should take it and walk away safe in the knowledge he will be regarded as the greatest for a very long time to come.

 

[Smasher08]

By that reasoning, Miami, Cincinnati and Paris Indoors are holes on Nadal's resume. Rome and Monte Carlo are Federer's. Is that what you're getting at?

You're forgetting about the WTF, failure to defend a title off of clay, overall slam count, total weeks at #1, consecutive weeks at #1, total YE#1s, total slam Fs, total slam SFs, total slam QFs, consecutive slam Fs, consecutive slam SFs, consecutive slam QFs, total career titles, etc. etc.

If a general standard is applied to Fred, it should be equally applied to Nads. If Fred has a few holes, Nads' has legions.

Furthermore, if the "resume title hole" theory is to be the overall standard, then presumably someone who's won each title one time only -- ie holds ~15 titles even if they've never finished YE1 -- must necessarily be considered the GOAT.

Patently absurd.

 

[moonballs]

But that is not how we view achievement in tennis.

Right we give 750 points to the achievement. Everything else is just sentimental value about how you served your country.

 

[TMF]

People will remember how many medals a player won for their country. And the answer is Roger won 2 and Nadal won 1.

 

[ibbi]

Of course he doesn't NEED it. He does want it though, that much is clearly obvious.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

I could really do with a twix right now.

 

[sureshs]

Well, Fed won on blue clay. That proves he has a mindset to win something that comes only once in a lifetime.

I think lack of blue clay titles is a serious dent in Nadals resume. I mean on his best surface once in a lifetime event, he choked.

But all your sarcasm will not change the fact that Nadal won O gold and Fed didn't.

Olympics is the only forum where the best in the world gather. To prove oneself there in front of your peers once in 4 years is an achievement of great importance.

 

[sureshs]

People will remember how many medals a player won for their country. And the answer is Roger won 2 and Nadal won 1.

No people will not remember that, because they don't associate tennis with a country. If they did, they would rather note how much Nadal has won in DC for his country.

 

[sureshs]

Of course he doesn't NEED it. He does want it though, that much is clearly obvious.

That is why he cried when Blake beat him in singles in the O.

Actually, Nadal doesn't care about O. He doesn't care about anything but playing. Fed is the one who is conscious of all the "greatness" and the "atmosphere" and all that. Nadal just goes out and plays his best.

 

[6-3 6-0]

But all your sarcasm will not change the fact that Nadal won O gold and Fed didn't.

Olympics is the only forum where the best in the world gather. To prove oneself there in front of your peers once in 4 years is an achievement of great importance.

Ofcourse it is, but it isn't bigger than 6 WTFs or 17 slams :twisted:

Btw, no sarcasm is intended.

 

[sureshs]

Ofcourse it is, but it isn't bigger than 6 WTFs or 17 slams :twisted:

Btw, no sarcasm is intended.

It is bigger, when combined with the H2H. No one is saying Massu is great because of O, but Nadal + O + H2H is far greater than any number of Slams, once the career slam has been achieved.

 

[Smasher08]

It is bigger, when combined with the H2H. No one is saying Massu is great because of O, but Nadal + O + H2H is far greater than any number of Slams, once the career slam has been achieved.

Gotta love all the self-serving NadBoi arguments!

Perhaps you should instead defer to the very player you think is the greatest:

In response to a question posed by a journalist at the 2010 French Open regarding whether Nadal is better than Federer, Nadal replied, "I think this person don't know nothing about tennis." The journalist asked why, and Nadal told the journalist, "so you don't know nothing about tennis. You see the titles of him and you see the titles of me? It's no comparison. So that's the answer. Is difficult to compare Roger with me now, because he has 16 Grand Slams; I have 6. Masters 1000, yeah, I have more than him. But for the rest of the things the records of Roger is very, very almost impossible to improve." At the press conference following his semifinal win in the 2010 U.S. Open, Nadal was asked whether his head-to-head advantage over Federer means he is better. Nadal replied, "Head to head is not an element for me. Is a part of the statistics, but is not the decisive element."

 

[sureshs]

Gotta love all the self-serving NadBoy arguments!

Perhaps you should instead defer to the very player you think is the greatest:

LOL he has succeeded in what he does best - act like Humbalito and fool people.

Then he goes home and has a big laugh with Uncle Toni, who will eventually say what he really thinks about Federer.

Good cop, bad cop.

 

[chandu612]

Why does Federer even need a Singles Olympic Gold? He has nothing to prove on the surfaces he has played Olympic Tennis on. Let's examine each edition he participated in.

2000 - Rebound Ace
He was way pre-prime in 2000, but he was 4th that year at the Olympics. It was played on Rebound Ace, on which he has 3 Australian Open Titles. And Australian Open >>> Tennis Singles Olympic Gold. Why does a guy that has 3 Slams on Rebound Ace need to win a 750-event on Rebound Ace? What would it prove? It's like saying a guy with 3 French Open Titles needs to win Monte Carlo to prove something. It makes no sense.

2004 - DecoTurf
He should've won this one, but it was played on DecoTurf, on which Federer won a Slam the same year at US Open and 4 other times. And US Open >>> Tennis Singles Olympic Gold. Why does a guy that has 5 Slams on DecoTurf need to win a 750-event on DecoTurf? What would it prove? It's like saying a guy with 5 French Open Titles needs to win Rome to prove something. It makes no sense.

2008 - DecoTurf
He should've won this one, but it was played on DecoTurf, on which Federer won a Slam the same year at US Open and 4 other times. And US Open >>> Tennis Singles Olympic Gold. Why does a guy that has 5 Slams on DecoTurf need to win a 750-event on DecoTurf? What would it prove? It's like saying a guy with 5 French Open Titles needs to win Madrid to prove something. It makes no sense.

2012 - Wimbledon Grass
He could've won this one, finished runners-up and got the Silver, but it was played at Wimbledon, where Federer won a Slam a few weeks ago and 6 other times. And Wimbledon >>> Tennis Singles Olympic Gold. Why does a guy that has 7 Slams at Wimbledon need to win a 750-event at the same place? What would it prove? It's like saying a guy with 7 French Open Titles needs to win Hamburg to prove something. It makes no sense.



So, all in all, Federer doesn't need the Singles Olympic Gold. His having one wouldn't prove anything. He already has its equal, in terms of worldwide prestige and recognition, in his Doubles Gold. His Singles Silver serves as icing. Thanks for playing, haters

Exactly...You hit the nail on its head.
Nadal won 12 slams...He does not need to win 5 more. He is way better than Federer already.

 

[Smasher08]

That is why he cried when Blake beat him in singles in the O.

 

[6-3 6-0]

It is bigger, when combined with the H2H. No one is saying Massu is great because of O, but Nadal + O + H2H is far greater than any number of Slams, once the career slam has been achieved.

ROFLMFAO :lol:
Btw, what trophy do you get for the H2H? :twisted:

 

[Smasher08]

LOL he has succeeded in what he does best - act like Humbalito and fool people.

Then he goes home and has a big laugh with Uncle Toni, who will eventually say what he really thinks about Federer.

Good cop, bad cop.

Such a cool story

In Spanish:
Toni Nadal: "Siempre he intentado no esconderle la realidad a Rafael. Si Federer es mejor, pues lo es".

In English:
Toni Nadal: "I have always tried not to hide the reality to Rafael. Federer is better, it's the truth."

Source:

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte...348856120.html
OR
http://www.sportyou.es/blog/tenis/2...en-el-real-madrid-que-ser-tenista-427014.html
OR
http://www.marca.com/2012/09/28/tenis/1348842189.html

 

[Smasher08]

ROFLMFAO :lol:
Btw, what trophy do you get for the H2H? :twisted:

Lol probably a big hug, a bigger kiss, and tears of joy from suresh! :lol:

 

[jg153040]

But all your sarcasm will not change the fact that Nadal won O gold and Fed didn't.

Olympics is the only forum where the best in the world gather. To prove oneself there in front of your peers once in 4 years is an achievement of great importance.

I don't want to change that fact. I like gold and silver more.

 

[sureshs]

I don't want to change that fact. I like gold and silver more.

0.5 gold + 1.0 silver is worth less than 1.0 gold. Go to a jewelry store and they will confirm that.

 

[Smasher08]

Olympics is the only forum where the best in the world gather.

Wrong.

And btw, since you feel this way, 6 WTFs must truly be a definitively peerless achievement, no? :lol:

 

[Smasher08]

0.5 gold + 1.0 silver is worth less than 1.0 gold.

Damn. So do you think Usain Bolt regrets his 0.25 gold??

 

[sureshs]

Wrong.

And btw, since you feel this way, 6 WTFs must truly be a definitively peerless achievement, no? :lol:

Of course. It is only a handful of players playing round robin tennis, like social night in the club.

You need to get a gold in the same place that Phelps and Bolt get a gold, that is a real man.

 

[sureshs]

Damn. So do you think Usain Bolt regrets his 0.25 gold??

He doesn't because he also has a 1.0 gold LOL. If he did not, he will regret it (like Fed).

 

[Smasher08]

You need to get a gold in the same place that Phelps and Bolt get a gold, that is a real man.

I'm just sad that Pele was never a real man.

 

[Smasher08]

It is only a handful of players playing round robin tennis, like social night in the club.

Actually, it's the best of the best. The toughest draw in the sport. Which may have something to do with the fact that Nads has never won it. :lol:

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

No people will not remember that, because they don't associate tennis with a country. If they did, they would rather note how much Nadal has won in DC for his country.

...and history celebrates individual Gold winners more than teams--which applies to tennis, as the primary consideration/perception of tennis are the singles. Federer will not be praised for doubles gold, but we know singles Gold winners are held to the high standard in Olympic history.

Others elevated their game to win singled Gold.

Federer fell short. Some need to accept that.

 

[RNadal]

By that super logic if some journeyman wins a 250 grass tourney then he has nothing else to prove, so why go and win Wimbledon?

Roger does need a singles olympics gold. And he'll never have it.

 

[Smasher08]

He doesn't because he also has a 1.0 gold

Oh dear, and what about Jordan, who kept on winning 1/13th of a gold??

I'm so sad he's not a real man.

 

[Smasher08]

By that super logic if some journeyman wins a 250 grass tourney then he has nothing else to prove, so why go and win Wimbledon?

Roger does need a singles olympics gold. And he'll never have it.

Oh dear, are we now back to comparing bucket lists? :lol:

If so, that's fine. Let's compare the bucket lists of others too.

 

[DRII]

rationalization much?

 

[6-3 6-0]

Lol this is hilarious stuff by these RNadal fanboys. :lol:

 

[VPhuc tennis fan]

...and history celebrates individual Gold winners more than teams--which applies to tennis, as the primary consideration/perception of tennis are the singles. Federer will not be praised for doubles gold, but we know singles Gold winners are held to the high standard in Olympic history.

Others elevated their game to win singled Gold.

Federer fell short. Some need to accept that.

Yup, wholeheartedly agree since Laver also the OG single gold medal. Wait, did he?

 

[DRII]

Lol this is hilarious stuff by these RNadal fanboys. :lol:

the enitre premise of this thread is hilarious...

 

[RNadal]

Lol this is hilarious stuff by these RNadal fanboys. :lol:

Nothing hilarious from a Federer fan POV in my opinion. It will go down as a great title that he didn't achieve. Too bad.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Yup, wholeheartedly agree since Laver also the OG single gold medal. Wait, did he?

He won the Grand Slam, so unlike Federer and his doubles gold, he does not need to scramble and spin other credits to pump up his status.

 

[sureshs]

Yup, wholeheartedly agree since Laver also the OG single gold medal. Wait, did he?

LOL you don't even know that tennis was not in the O in his time?

 

[Smasher08]

LOL you don't even know that tennis was not in the O in his time?

OMG, then that's a MAJOR hole in his resume. And it means it will never be filled. :x

 

[TMF]

Yup, wholeheartedly agree since Laver also the OG single gold medal. Wait, did he?

If Nadal fans harp on OG, then Laver fans can harp on his GS.

However, Fed fans don't harp on his gold/silver medals when compare to Laver, which in turn Laver fans wouldn't harp on his GS either. The reason is Laver didn't have a chance to play the Olympics, and Federer didn't have a chance to play on only 2 surfaces.

 

[TMF]

LOL you don't even know that tennis was not in the O in his time?

You can't hold that against Laver or any player that didn't have a chance to compete at the Olympics.

Fed's fans don't hold the Olympics against Laver. Now try to be objective.

 

[Smasher08]

If Nadal fans harp on OG, then Laver fans can harp on his GS.

However, Fed fans don't harp on his gold/silver medals when compare to Laver, which in turn Laver fans wouldn't harp on his GS either. The reason is Laver didn't have a chance to play the Olympics, and Federer didn't have a chance to play on only 2 surfaces.

There's also all those superfast indoor wood floors that Laver won pro tournaments in. I wonder what the Fed Nadal h2h would be on those! :twisted:

 

[Smasher08]

LOL, I exposed your hypocrisy. There was a post you made back in 2009 when you admitted Federer was on his way to becoming the GOAT by winning the most Slams. Looks like you've changed your tune now :lol:

He was just a good kid who fell in with the wrong crowd.

It's a story as old as time.

 

[sureshs]

You can't hold that against Laver or any player that didn't have a chance to compete at the Olympics.

Fed's fans don't hold the Olympics against Laver. Now try to be objective.

Yes when both Nadal and Fed had the opportunity to participate, who won the singles gold?

 

[TMF]

There's also all those superfast indoor wood floors that Laver won pro tournaments in. I wonder what the Fed Nadal h2h would be on those! :twisted:

Yeah, the slow, high bounce conditions are tailored for Nadal's playing style.

It's funny that his fans always complaint about the tour has more hard court than clay tournaments, but ignore the fact that they slow down the court and high bounce benefit Rafa.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

You can't hold that against Laver or any player that didn't have a chance to compete at the Olympics.

Fed's fans don't hold the Olympics against Laver. Now try to be objective.

Frankly, they are not in a position to hold anything against Laver.