I am quite shocked that bluetrain, one of the only intelligent posters remaining on this forum, is actually arguing Rios deserves to be in the HOF.
It is bad enough some 1 slam wonders are now getting in, never mind a player who really didnt even close to winning a slam (made one final and got 6 games, no other times past the quarters). The standards of the Hall have already slipped to an embarssing enough low, lets not make it even much lower.
The argument getting to #1 should be enough is quite laughable given the list of recent players, especialy women, who have gotten to #1. It takes over a whole year at #1 for a slamless player to come even close to equalling the value of a slam title (eg- Wozniacki like time, and even that is highly debateable), never mind Rios's short stint. Meanwhile as low as the Hall of Fame standards have gotten only the very best 1 slam winners (Sabatini, to a degree Chang) or 1 slam singles winners who also excellened in a major way in doubles (Novotna, to a lesser degtee Noah) or all time doubles greats in the case of non singles champions have gotten in, so even an unextraordinary 1 slam winner, which would still likely be clearly superior to Rios as far as career goes has no chance of getting in.
BTW I do agree Safin and Hewitt are a lock to make it, but I dont think Kafelnikov is, and I wouldnt be surprised if he never makes it in. I also think Conchita Martinez is on the bubble and might not ever make it in either.