The Olympics Don't Matter

TTMR

Hall of Fame
Look, I'm not trying to detract from Murray's win here, but let's be honest, this event has never been played by all the top players nor taken as seriously by them. The fact that Nadal isn't here speaks volumes. There is no tradition to Olympic tennis; it's an exhibition, albeit a less raucous one. The Olympics are only worth 750 points. Less than a damn Masters, yet people are making such a big deal over it, as if this match is a game-changer for Murray. Federer had a brutal semi-final, and at his age, needs to conserve himself for things that matter, like Cincy, the USO and Basel. I think that's why he played one-strike tennis...

Which brings me to my next point: This tournament should not have been played at Wimbledon. It was grass for one day, and became clay the next. Nadal would have waltzed to this title. I've been a landscaper for years, and I know you simply can't replant and successfully grow lush, pristine grass in a matter of weeks. It was a joke, and on that second day I knew an aggressive player wouldn't do jack here. The Olympics should have been played at O2, where the courts are perfect all year round.

When it all comes down to it, in a really big moment, we've seen time and time again Murray collapses under the pressure. Winning a mickey mouse title like this isn't going to change anything. Even Monte Carlo has more prestige. Murray will fold like a cheap tent come USO time, and a real champion will own the glory.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
You do realize most people will not realize this is sarcasm?

Still, it would be interesting to see if you have the same attitude toward Nadal fans calling a 1500 points worth year end event a cheesy meaningless exo.
 

Seany

Banned
People don't seem to realize the O2 is not a tennis arena...They just slap a surface down for 10 days November, then it's back to music concerts etc...

I do agree that the Olympics should have been held there if possible though.
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
Let's also remember that the organizers deliberately opened the roof in order to benefit Murray, despite the high likelihood of recurrent precipitation. They gambled and got lucky this time, but on a day like this the roof should have remained closed.
 

tank_job

Banned
I agree with this thread.

An Olympic Gold is worth equal or less than an ATP tour 250 event in prestige.

And the pathetic field Murray got through is disguising the fact that Murray is already declining and will never make it past a slam QF again - book it.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
To counterbalance your kind's incessant trolling after the match.

Actually, the OP isn't counterbalancing anything, he's a massive Nadal fan ridiculing Fed fans for downplaying the importance of a SOG (despite the fact that a number of Fed fans congratulated Murray on his big victory).
 

veritech

Hall of Fame
I agree with this thread.

An Olympic Gold is worth equal or less than an ATP tour 250 event in prestige.

And the pathetic field Murray got through is disguising the fact that Murray is already declining and will never make it past a slam QF again - book it.

LOL. i'll gladly take that bet with you.
 

TMF

Talk Tennis Guru
It's just another tournament. Frankly it feel much like a MS. However it's special for Murray because he's playing at home.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
It's just another tournament. Frankly it feel much like a MS. However it's special for Murray because he's playing at home.

Nah, it didn't feel like that at all, Fed-Delpo SF had so much drama it was incredible.
 

tank_job

Banned
to top it all off, his win will have a massive asterisk over it because he didn't face Nadal, who, as well all know, owns Murray on grass, even with no knees.
 

TheF1Bob

Banned
It's just another tournament. Frankly it feel much like a MS. However it's special for Murray because he's playing at home.

Exactly. The only thing I like was the Olympic tie break rule but apart from that, it was lame.
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
Federer may say winning the Olympic gold was important to him because he had never won it and because he was representing Switzerland, but he's just being politically correct. Great champions have never excelled at the Olympics. It's a short week with a meager draw, mostly played best-of-three. It's been won primarily by has-beens and never-wases. Federer is more than satisfied with the silver in terms of representing the white cross. Why go all out trying to outgrind the pusher of all pushers when there is another Cincy just around the corner? A tournament played on a genuine fast surface (most years), I might add.

I think the fact that it comes around only once every four years is skewing perception and making this 24 year "tradition" seemingly more prestigious than it is. It's a 500 and change, and about as meaningful as the NFL Pro Bowl.
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
So what? If the Olympics was of any historical importance in tennis, how many medals did Laver, Sampras, Borg and most other greats win?

Well, none of course. Tennis only became an Olympic sport again in 1988 (after a gap of 64 years) so a bit too late for Laver and Borg. Sampras only appeared at the 1992 Games in Barcelona but lost in the 3rd round. Not sure why he didn't attend his home Olympics at Atlanta in 1996, you'll have to ask him but Agassi did his country proud by winning the gold there!
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
Federer may say winning the Olympic gold was important to him because he had never won it and because he was representing Switzerland, but he's just being politically correct. Great champions have never excelled at the Olympics.

Agassi 1996, Nadal 2008?

It's a short week with a meager draw, mostly played best-of-three. It's been won primarily by has-beens and never-wases. Federer is more than satisfied with the silver in terms of representing the white cross. Why go all out trying to outgrind the pusher of all pushers when there is another Cincy just around the corner? A tournament played on a genuine fast surface (most years), I might add.

Well, the 'pusher of all pushers' has won that one twice!

I think the fact that it comes around only once every four years is skewing perception and making this 24 year "tradition" seemingly more prestigious than it is. It's a 500 and change, and about as meaningful as the NFL Pro Bowl.

Oh I suspect you'd be singing a different tune about its worth if Federer had actually won the gold medal he had so set his heart on winning!
 

Juan Ma Del Pony

Professional
LOL Mainad, TTMR is trolling the *******s with his fake "Olympics don't matter" threads. He's not actually a Fed fan (in fact, I suspect that TTMR can't stand *********, much like yours truly).
 

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
I really think the OP is being sarcastic. At least I hope he is.

OP is being sarcy. ;)

However, the fact is that the whole world is watching the Oly's. Surely, Fred is looking at it from that perspective. (IMO) He is not thinking of himself as just as tennis star but a sports personality.

I agree with some that winning the OG _may_ not mean much for Andy as far as winning slams is concerned, we'll have to wait and see, if it converts to slams.

However, winning the OG would have meant a hell of a lot for Federer since he has won enough slams. Where OG Gold stands wrt slams and WTF can be argued forever, but Federer wanted it really bad.

edit: oh btw, excellent work, TTMR. Hats off !!! :)
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
Federer may say winning the Olympic gold was important to him because he had never won it and because he was representing Switzerland

Yes, he did want it bad.

but he's just being politically correct.

Oh har har.

You have mixed up Fed with your idol, Fed more often than not speaks his mind and doesn't mince words.

Great champions have never excelled at the Olympics.

Actually, for the most part of the tennis history "great" players weren't even allowed to participate. Not that I expect a Nadal fanboy to be aware of any tennis history that goes past 2008 mind you.

Federer is more than satisfied with the silver in terms of representing the white cross.

He wanted the Gold but Murray was too good so yeah he did seem happy he won the Silver medal, if only he had the option to trade his 7th Wimbledon title for it as Nadal fanatics are 100% sure he would in a blink of an eye.

Why go all out trying to outgrind the pusher of all pushers when there is another Cincy just around the corner?

For the last time, all this notion about Cincy being a real slam came from your fellow Nadal fanatic Suresh, not from Fed fans.

Here, educate yourself:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=282818

It's an inside joke, nobody really believes Cincinnati is worth more than a regular masters.

A tournament played on a genuine fast surface (most years), I might add.

That's a ******* conspiracy, read the interviews of pros who participate there every year, they all talk about how slow it is (especially during the heat).

I think the fact that it comes around only once every four years is skewing perception and making this 24 year "tradition" seemingly more prestigious than it is. It's a 500 and change, and about as meaningful as the NFL Pro Bowl.

Regarding tennis (a sport which this forum is about) it does have a 24 year tradition, greats like Borg and Laver (imagine that, there were great tennis players before saint Rafa) never even had a chance to participate.

P.S I'm still waiting for your supposed neutral self to write a sarcastic essay on Nadal fans' attitude towards WTF (an event worth 1500 points) and some of their members' open admission that they value SOG so much because it's something Nadal has and Fed doesn't (honestly, that's kindergarden level nonsense).
 

Sid_Vicious

G.O.A.T.
^ Good post, Zagor.

As funny as some of his posts can be, it is clear that he is just as unreasonable and ridiculous as those fed fanatics he makes fun of. At first it was funny, but now it is pretty much him just mashing together arguments used by some random federer fans ( without any regard for historical accuracy I might add) and then posting it in order to appear clever.
 
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zagor

Bionic Poster
As funny as some of his posts can be, it is clear that he is just as unreasonable and ridiculous as those fed fanatics he makes fun of.

I definitely found some of posts/threads funny but I think he went too far in this one and I'm really starting to find his claims of neutrality when it comes to Fed and Nadal utterly laughable.

At first it was funny, but now it is pretty much him just mashinging together arguments used by some random federer fans ( without any regard for historical accuracy I might add) and then posting it in order to appear clever.

Yeah, that's an accurate description.

Not to mention that he blatantly ignores the fact that a good number of Fed fans who congratulated Murray, praised his aggressive game in the final and never downplayed the importance Olympics had for Fed this year.
 

Antonio Puente

Hall of Fame
Yes, he did want it bad.



Oh har har.

You have mixed up Fed with your idol, Fed more often than not speaks his mind and doesn't mince words.



Actually, for the most part of the tennis history "great" players weren't even allowed to participate. Not that I expect a Nadal fanboy to be aware of any tennis history that goes past 2008 mind you.



He wanted the Gold but Murray was too good so yeah he did seem happy he won the Silver medal, if only he had the option to trade his 7th Wimbledon title for it as Nadal fanatics are 100% sure he would in a blink of an eye.



For the last time, all this notion about Cincy being a real slam came from your fellow Nadal fanatic Suresh, not from Fed fans.

Here, educate yourself:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=282818

It's an inside joke, nobody really believes Cincinnati is worth more than a regular masters.



That's a ******* conspiracy, read the interviews of pros who participate there every year, they all talk about how slow it is (especially during the heat).



Regarding tennis (a sport which this forum is about) it does have a 24 year tradition, greats like Borg and Laver (imagine that, there were great tennis players before saint Rafa) never even had a chance to participate.

P.S I'm still waiting for your supposed neutral self to write a sarcastic essay on Nadal fans' attitude towards WTF (an event worth 1500 points) and some of their members' open admission that they value SOG so much because it's something Nadal has and Fed doesn't (honestly, that's kindergarden level nonsense).

You're expending too much energy to point out the obvious. :) Yes, I'm sure any relatively intelligent person realizes that most of these **** stances, the planks in the respective **** platforms... they're just part of the game.
 

TU87

Rookie
This one mattered because of where it was played. Doubt that Rio will have the same feel.
Fact is Murray will have to win a couple grand slams in his career to not be a disappointment.
Question: If Murray only wins this gold and no grand slams, how would you compare him to Roddick who has one slam and no gold? Same, better, worse?
 

Readers

Professional
So what? If the Olympics was of any historical importance in tennis, how many medals did Laver, Sampras, Borg and most other greats win?

Oh, that's must be why Federer, Nole and Murray are all playing, let's face it every one of them wants it, and Nadal is injured and already have it.

You are not so bright if you don't even understand the simple concept of change.
 

Fedex

Legend
Look, I'm not trying to detract from Murray's win here, but let's be honest, this event has never been played by all the top players nor taken as seriously by them. The fact that Nadal isn't here speaks volumes. There is no tradition to Olympic tennis; it's an exhibition, albeit a less raucous one. The Olympics are only worth 750 points. Less than a damn Masters, yet people are making such a big deal over it, as if this match is a game-changer for Murray. Federer had a brutal semi-final, and at his age, needs to conserve himself for things that matter, like Cincy, the USO and Basel. I think that's why he played one-strike tennis...

Which brings me to my next point: This tournament should not have been played at Wimbledon. It was grass for one day, and became clay the next. Nadal would have waltzed to this title. I've been a landscaper for years, and I know you simply can't replant and successfully grow lush, pristine grass in a matter of weeks. It was a joke, and on that second day I knew an aggressive player wouldn't do jack here. The Olympics should have been played at O2, where the courts are perfect all year round.

When it all comes down to it, in a really big moment, we've seen time and time again Murray collapses under the pressure. Winning a mickey mouse title like this isn't going to change anything. Even Monte Carlo has more prestige. Murray will fold like a cheap tent come USO time, and a real champion will own the glory.

Murray always gets owned even when he wins and every time he wins, his opponents were poor, injured or tired.
Even when he appears to be ultra aggressive, it's only an illusion and different camera angles hide the pushing.
When Murray wins a tournament it's only because they are mickey mouse and top players don't take it seriously.
Even if Murray somehow manages to dominate tennis in the future, he should be banned for spoiling the game and setting a bad example to the youngsters.
 

jesenk

Rookie
If anything, winning an Olympic gold medal in his own country on one of the greatest two days for that country ever should be something to be ashamed of.
 

Stinkdyr

Professional
Folks, trust your instincts on this one. It was a tank job, plain and simple. IOC pays off Fed's mortgage on his pad in Dubai, UK gets its feel-good moment, Fed gets the Silver medal for CH, everyone wins.
 

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
If anything, winning an Olympic gold medal in his own country on one of the greatest two days for that country ever should be something to be ashamed of.

Congrats to Britain for winning the Triathlon too, gold and bronze to the Brownlees.
 

Tafmatch

Rookie
Murray always gets owned even when he wins and every time he wins, his opponents were poor, injured or tired.
Even when he appears to be ultra aggressive, it's only an illusion and different camera angles hide the pushing.
When Murray wins a tournament it's only because they are mickey mouse and top players don't take it seriously.
Even if Murray somehow manages to dominate tennis in the future, he should be banned for spoiling the game and setting a bad example to the youngsters.

Pretty much this. Murray was clearly the best player this tournament and he should get full credit for it.
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
Some things never change. The Olympics being the crown of the tennis nobodies is one of them.

Top tennis players don't waste precious physical and mental energy on a tournament that is meant for amateurs.
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
There's only been two times in history top tennis players actually tried at the Olympics: 1996 and 2008. And again, that's no different than Federer trying at Basel (no other top player cares). In 1996 and 2008, one top player happpened to be interested, the rest were just putting in a token effort as fitting the (non-)prestige of the tournament.
 
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