[POLL] In which watertight compartment would you put the Olympic gold in tennis?

[Winner Sinner]

The Olympic tournament has only been open to professionals since 1988, consequently it has less tradition than many historical tournaments.
At the same time, however, the Olympics are considered the highest expression of sport, every athlete dreams of winning an Olympic medal at least once.
These two contrasts raise the question of where they should be placed in terms of importance and prestige in the tennis field, also taking into account that unlike all the other most important tournaments, therefore the slams, the ATP Finals and the Masters 1000, which are held annually, the Olympics are held every four years, ergo, fewer opportunities to boast this achievement.

The only reference we have is the fact that when the Olympic tournament awarded ATP points the score for the winner was 750 points, but I don't think all this can weigh the type of importance, also taking into account that there is no prize money at the Olympics and the real incentive for a player in addition to trying to achieve sporting glory is to represent their country.

Having said that, taking into account that obviously the slams are recognized in an indisputable and unanimous way as the most important tournaments, the survey starts from below the slams going downwards.

 

[Winner Sinner]

I forgot...I put the Olympic gold between the ATP Finals and the Masters 1000, so in terms of hierarchy;

Major

ATP Finals

Olympic gold

Masters 1000

 

[nolefam_2024]

I can not put it in any compartment. Its value is dependent on what point in history I am talking about.

What I have seen is previously DC was huge, and now Olympics is becoming a huge part of tennis again. The ATGs care about it and want it. The new ATGs also want to win something for their country.
For Djokovic this year, as a fan, I wanted OG over even Wimbledon. And Wimbledon is the best tournament in tennis history.

 

[nolefam_2024]

John McEnroe in last Roddick interview said DC is dead. And now Olympics is something people want. Having it just 1 in 4 years makes it illusive.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Equal to the YEC.

 

[Winner Sinner]

I can not put it in any compartment. Its value is dependent on what point in history I am talking about.

What I have seen is previously DC was huge, and now Olympics is becoming a huge part of tennis again. The ATGs care about it and want it. The new ATGs also want to win something for their country.
For Djokovic this year, as a fan, I wanted OG over even Wimbledon. And Wimbledon is the best tournament in tennis history.

Obviously the historical moment is preponderant, but in fact the survey raises the question on current events and not on how important they were 5/10/20 years ago.

As for your desire as a Djokovic fan, I think that here the fact that Wimbledon had already won it 7 times while the Olympic gold had always eluded him has an impact.
If Djokovic had already won the Olympic gold I doubt that he (and also you fans) would have preferred the Olympic gold to Wimbledon.

If Djokovic at the beginning of 2024 had had 22 slams instead of 24, what would you have chosen between the 23rd slam and the first Olympic gold?

 

[nolefam_2024]

Obviously the historical moment is preponderant, but in fact the survey raises the question on current events and not on how important they were 5/10/20 years ago.

As for your desire as a Djokovic fan, I think that here the fact that Wimbledon had already won it 7 times while the Olympic gold had always eluded him has an impact.
If Djokovic had already won the Olympic gold I doubt that he (and also you fans) would have preferred the Olympic gold to Wimbledon.

If Djokovic at the beginning of 2024 had had 22 slams instead of 24, what would you have chosen between the 23rd slam and the first Olympic gold?

Exactly. But if we think about it, Olympics is always illusive because there are 4 wimbledons by the time 1 olympics happens.

 

[Gazelle]

It has no place in tennis.

Overflows an already stacked calendar.

Different for sports like athletics where it is the biggest price.

The poll is missing an option.

 

[Connor35]

The ATP finals is harder to win than an Olympic gold.

But Olympic gold means more than an ATP finals win.

 

[Jonesy]

No idea really. ATP considers it a big title, so at least has a masters value.

 

[Golden-24]

It's personal, obviously. Each player has his own opinion. For Djokovic, winning Paris was 3 times more important than winning a 25th Slam. For players like Bencic, Puig, Massu and maybe Zverev (who are never gonna win a Slam), I'm sure it's just as important as a Slam. Some players (like Sinner and Medvedev) clearly don't care much and would rather win the ATP Finals. Still, nobody can seriously pretend it's between the 1000 and the 500. If a player tells you he'd prefer to win Vienna or Rio, I wouldn't believe him.

 

[nolefam_2024]

It's personal, obviously. Each player has his own opinion. For Djokovic, winning Paris was 3 times more important than winning a 25th Slam. For players like Bencic, Puig, Massu and maybe Zverev (who are never gonna win a Slam), I'm sure it's just as important as a Slam. Some players (like Sinner and Medvedev) clearly don't care much and would rather win the ATP Finals. Still, nobody can seriously pretend it's between the 1000 and the 500. If a player tells you he'd prefer to win Vienna or Rio, I wouldn't believe him.

Yes it's above masters no brainer. 36 masters happen when just 1 Olympics happen.

Just as an example. Djokovic has 40 masters but just 1 gold. It's rare. And very recognizable, across history of all sports.

 

[MissileBackHand99]

I just LOVE how now that Novak has won the Olympics, it's a huge and sought after prize for his troll fans. But they've treated Nadal's singles Gold in 2008, Doubles Gold in 2016, and Murray's back to back Gold Medals as mere exhibition trinkets whenever it's brought up. The hypocrisy is LAUGHABLE

For me, it's right up there with the Slams and ATP Finals (although for me the ATP Finals isn't as prestigious as it was in the 70s, 80s and 90s)

 

[messiahrobins]

I can not put it in any compartment. Its value is dependent on what point in history I am talking about.

What I have seen is previously DC was huge, and now Olympics is becoming a huge part of tennis again. The ATGs care about it and want it. The new ATGs also want to win something for their country.
For Djokovic this year, as a fan, I wanted OG over even Wimbledon. And Wimbledon is the best tournament in tennis history.

Great post. You got it spot on.

 

[messiahrobins]

I just LOVE how now that Novak has won the Olympics, it's a huge and sought after prize for his troll fans. But they've treated Nadal's singles Gold in 2008, Doubles Gold in 2016, and Murray's back to back Gold Medals as mere exhibition trinkets whenever it's brought up. The hypocrisy is LAUGHABLE

For me, it's right up there with the Slams and ATP Finals (although for me the ATP Finals isn't as prestigious as it was in the 70s, 80s and 90s)

Point out Nadal achieved the Holy grail of tennis (Calendar Slam) 14 years before Djokovic and get the tin hat on. Apparently the Olympics only mattered since 2023 when Covid lockdowns ended. I literally read that on X by a Djokovic fan and it got loads of likes lol.

 

[messiahrobins]

Equal to the YEC.

Above or below Indian Wells. M1000 cannot be used as a block comparison as some M1000s are way bigger than others

 

[Subway Tennis]

I just LOVE how now that Novak has won the Olympics, it's a huge and sought after prize for his troll fans. But they've treated Nadal's singles Gold in 2008, Doubles Gold in 2016, and Murray's back to back Gold Medals as mere exhibition trinkets whenever it's brought up. The hypocrisy is LAUGHABLE

For me, it's right up there with the Slams and ATP Finals (although for me the ATP Finals isn't as prestigious as it was in the 70s, 80s and 90s)

It’s even funnier that a lot of those people sought to marginalise clay titles AND the Olympics. The fact that Novak’s SOG came on clay makes is such a deliciously poetic gift from the tennis gods.

In all seriousness though, it was a great achievement. Very impressive win by Djokovic. As a Murray and Nadal fan, I’ve always considered it among the most impressive of their achievements. Murray doing it at a home Olympics has added weight, too imo.

 

[messiahrobins]

It’s even funnier that a lot of those people sought to marginalise clay titles AND the Olympics. The fact that Novak’s SOG came on clay makes is such a deliciously poetic gift from the tennis gods.

In all seriousness though, it was a great achievement. Very impressive win by Djokovic. As a Murray and Nadal fan, I’ve always considered it among the most impressive of their achievements. Murray doing it at a home Olympics has added weight, too imo.

Said it before, i'll say it again, Djokovic fans are and always were his biggest achilles heel. Their hypocrisy was always going to be damaging. You raise great points but the W2023 and w2019 finals are also glorious examples of the poetic gift you refer to. W2023 Novak was old and thus actually making the final was a win, W2019 the older Federer choked and was outplayed by the greater player in a seismically meaningful match for the ages!!
The Olympics has and always will be huge. Murray openly stated it was equal to his W win (and being W is his home event that is high praise) and above his USO win.
Players still have Slams Olympics and Davis Cup as the pinnacle events to play.

 

[Sudacafan]

Higher than slams, but not more important than them.

 

[gamelovergold]

Once in 4 years is only factor that gives olympics some great leverage. Like 29 feb it comes only in four years .
Sinner didnt partcipate and novak was giving everything for it. So it depends for player to player

 

[Sudacafan]

Once in 4 years is only factor that gives olympics some great leverage. Like 29 feb it comes only in four years .
Sinner didnt partcipate and novak was giving everything for it. So it depends for player to player

I take pity on people born on Feb 29's. They look much older than the number of birthdays they actually had.

 

[Tennfan123]

I’m not sure I trust the atp and their big titles. They themselves decided an OG was worth 750 points.
the big title thing is marketing. A short simple snappy vague phrase to serve whatever purpose. With OG, Murray has a large fanbase and the man himself is savvy enough to know upgrading OG is good for his career. Had the likes of massu kept winning, the OG hype wouldn’t have escalated.

 

[Sudacafan]

Watertight compartment?

 

[tennis3]

Above Basel but below UMAG

 

[Enceladus]

Point out Nadal achieved the Holy grail of tennis (Calendar Slam) 14 years before Djokovic and get the tin hat on. Apparently the Olympics only mattered since 2023 when Covid lockdowns ended. I literally read that on X by a Djokovic fan and it got loads of likes lol.

Nadal has never gain a calendar Grand Slam. Nor has he ever won four grandslams in a row, which Djokovic once did.

 

[Enceladus]

I just LOVE how now that Novak has won the Olympics, it's a huge and sought after prize for his troll fans. But they've treated Nadal's singles Gold in 2008, Doubles Gold in 2016, and Murray's back to back Gold Medals as mere exhibition trinkets whenever it's brought up. The hypocrisy is LAUGHABLE

For me, it's right up there with the Slams and ATP Finals (although for me the ATP Finals isn't as prestigious as it was in the 70s, 80s and 90s)

On the other hand, I noticed Nadal fans downplayed value of the ATP Finals. Every fan base has its trolls.

 

[Enceladus]

Olympics has the same position in the tennis hierarchy as the ATP Finals, below the Grand Slams, but over all other tournaments. Both tournaments have their own specifics that make them different from regular tournaments, including majors, the Olympics are held once every four years, so timing is key to success. The ATP Finals is held annually, but the field is made up of TOP 8 tennis players (with one exception, when a GS champion outside the TOP 8 can participate in the tournament if certain conditions are met) and players must go through the basic group, where a score of 2 wins - 1 loss may not be enough.

By winning Olympic gold, Djoker completed the prestigious set of triumphs, called the Career Super Slam, which only Andre Agassi managed to do before him - all 4 Grand Slams, Olympics and ATP Finals. I am sincerely very happy about that.

 

[messiahrobins]

Nadal has never gain a calendar Grand Slam. Nor has he ever won four grandslams in a row, which Djokovic once did.

Ive never heard of winning 4 slams across 2 seasons as being a huge deal. Its hugely impressive but below Golden Calendar slam, golden career slam and Calendar Slam.

 

[Red Rick]

Nonlinear.

It is worth less than a first Grand slam, it is worth more than a 25th Grand Slam.

I'd always consider it more important than WTF.

 

[junior74]

Depends on who wins it, I suppose

 

[Hitman]

It's still the same for me, I rank it above the masters, but below the YEC.

For me, its Slams, then YEC, then Olympics, then Masters, then 500s, then 250s.

 

[gamelovergold]

Depends on who wins it, I suppose

olympics has started climbing the chart . Big 4 has certainly raised the value of olympic gold.
Murray 2 times
Nadal 1 time
Novak 1 time
Roger by loosing the gold
( doubles gold is not taken into account as Big 4 were single player)

 

[junior74]

olympics has started climbing the chart . Big 4 has certainly raised the value of olympic gold.
Murray 2 times
Nadal 1 time
Novak 1 time
Roger by loosing the gold
( doubles gold is not taken into account as Big 4 were single player)

Which in turn means OG is the same as it always was, but popular players entering, tennis media hype and SoMe makes it seem more important.

Some Djokovic fans laughed about the olympics until it got clear how much it meant to him, just like Nadal fans have tried to make WTF seem like a joke, when it in fact is the biggest title outside slams.

This is the correct order:

Slams, then YEC, then Olympics, then Masters, then 500s, then 250s.

 

[jackson vile]

The trend now is that it will be placed between slam and atp finals, seems very important to the players now and everyone making such a big deal about it

 

[mtommer]

At the same time, however, the Olympics are considered the highest expression of sport, every athlete dreams of winning an Olympic medal at least once.

I think this only true for those sports where the Olympics are the major showcase for that sport. For sports with their own major showcase, I think there are many athletes and people in general that are "meh" on the Olympics. Tennis is a great example of this. Some care, some don't. When other sports turned from amateur athletes to including professionals, I find those victories rather unremarkable. Frankly, I'm of the opinion that sports with their own professional leagues/structure should be removed from the Olympics.

 

[fedfan24]

Slightly better than ATP finals these days.

 

[neytron]

In terms of the level of competition the Olympics is worse than the Masters. It was only because Novak won his remaining title that the meaning of Olympic gold rose. But it will also go down after that. For many players it will still have a special meaning, but that's the only reason I would put it above the Masters.

 

[MissileBackHand99]

Point out Nadal achieved the Holy grail of tennis (Calendar Slam) 14 years before Djokovic and get the tin hat on. Apparently the Olympics only mattered since 2023 when Covid lockdowns ended. I literally read that on X by a Djokovic fan and it got loads of likes lol.

Man Twitter/X is just a cesspool of crazy when it comes to any attempt at tennis discussion. The Novak fans over there are literally certifiable lol

 

[MissileBackHand99]

Which in turn means OG is the same as it always was, but popular players entering, tennis media hype and SoMe makes it seem more important.

Some Djokovic fans laughed about the olympics until it got clear how much it meant to him, just like Nadal fans have tried to make WTF seem like a joke, when it in fact is the biggest title outside slams.

This is the correct order:

For me, the ATP Finals is not what it was in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. In those days it was certainly the equal of the Slams. In the 70s and 80s, the Year End Championships was more prestigious than the French and definitely than Australia. Now that the ATP Tour is streamlined and the 4 Slams are all run very well and established as the 4 top jewels of the sport, the YEC just don't mean as much to me personally. Nadal could've won it 4-5 times, and I'd feel the same way. I wanted to see him win Miami more than the ATP Finals

 

[NoleFam]

Below the YEC where it belongs.

 

[jm1972]

Between playing the Olympics or go on a vacation with my gf, I'd choose going on a vacation with my gf.

 

[MeatTornado]

For Djokovic this year, as a fan, I wanted OG over even Wimbledon. And Wimbledon is the best tournament in tennis history.

I would have too in your shoes, but that doesn't really say much about the tournament unless Novak had 0 Wimbledon titles and you still felt the same way.

 

[messiahrobins]

Man Twitter/X is just a cesspool of crazy when it comes to any attempt at tennis discussion. The Novak fans over there are literally certifiable lol

Definitely. Their obsession about Nadal as now shifted to Sinner lmao. Despite the fact Alcaraz being the one who has dealt the far more damaging blows.