"There are no ideal endings."

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
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weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
Sampras had an ideal ending. It was like an American movie.

Not really. It would have been had he announced his retirement prior to winning. With that being said I also take exception to this idea, some people do have perfect endings. Jordan had a perfect one in Utah, then ruined it by coming back. Other legends have retired on top (championship + still high level), Michael Strahan for example. But I cut Rafa some slack and recognize that we don't need to take him too literally here.
 
Unlike Fedal, Djokovic will have the ideal ending when he retires from tennis.
He's taken care of his body to make sure he doesn't have any long term injuries post retirement.
 

ChrisRF

Legend
Not really. It would have been had he announced his retirement prior to winning. With that being said I also take exception to this idea, some people do have perfect endings. Jordan had a perfect one in Utah, then ruined it by coming back. Other legends have retired on top (championship + still high level), Michael Strahan for example. But I cut Rafa some slack and recognize that we don't need to take him too literally here.
I don't get it what you mean with Jordan "ruined" it. It's always better if there's nothing to regret, and a so-called "failed" comeback proves that.

Just like it's good that Federer lost his last set 6-0. Another way to show there's nothing to regret. The only way that made it easy to accept that his time has REALLY come, and the only way a legend can show respect to the history of his sport: If every record is a genuine one to target, because it's a REAL target, and not a flawed one by a premature retirement.
 

tennis3

Hall of Fame
The only "ideal ending" is if he had died after winning RG22 (his 14th). Then he'd be "frozen in time" right there. Like a movie. It just ends.

That's probably a bit too high of a price to pay for the "perfect" ending, no?
 

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
I don't get it what you mean with Jordan "ruined" it. It's always better if there's nothing to regret, and a so-called "failed" comeback proves that.

Just like it's good that Federer lost his last set 6-0. Another way to show there's nothing to regret. The only way that made it easy to accept that his time has REALLY come, and the only way a legend can show respect to the history of his sport: If every record is a genuine one to target, because it's a REAL target, and not a flawed one by a premature retirement.

I'm sure you understand what I mean. There is nothing positive that came from the Wizards years, especially now that LeBron is showing how much greater he is at 40.
 

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
I cant say I watch that many foreign movies but do american movies have more happy endings? My wife watches Korean shows all the time they seem to have happy endings in some way.
 

DSH

Talk Tennis Guru
I'm sure you understand what I mean. There is nothing positive that came from the Wizards years, especially now that LeBron is showing how much greater he is at 40.
Put Jordan with the medical advances that LJ enjoys and the story would be totally different.
:p
 

The Guru

Legend
Not really. It would have been had he announced his retirement prior to winning. With that being said I also take exception to this idea, some people do have perfect endings. Jordan had a perfect one in Utah, then ruined it by coming back. Other legends have retired on top (championship + still high level), Michael Strahan for example. But I cut Rafa some slack and recognize that we don't need to take him too literally here.
No that never happened
 

Rafa24

Hall of Fame
Put Jordan with the medical advances that LJ enjoys and the story would be totally different.
:p
medical advances aka steroids. olympics tested Curry, Durant and Anthony edwards after the gold and not leBalco. It's amazing to me how the media swept lebrons connection to the steroid clinic in miami under the rug. But he runs ESPN and owns a lot of media.
 
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travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
I'm sure you understand what I mean. There is nothing positive that came from the Wizards years, especially now that LeBron is showing how much greater he is at 40.
The positive thing from MJ’s wizardry is that it cracked open the door for LeBron to create a debate. Credit LeBron for seizing the opportunity to show the world what Jordan left on the table.
 

Sport

G.O.A.T.
The only "ideal ending" is if he had died after winning RG22 (his 14th). Then he'd be "frozen in time" right there. Like a movie. It just ends.

That's probably a bit too high of a price to pay for the "perfect" ending, no?
Bro, just left the internet for today.
 

RaulRamirez

Legend
It's very hard to script things, and not retire too soon or too late.
As Roger indicated, while he didn't go out winning, he otherwise went out on his terms.

If I recall correctly, John Elway retired after two straight Super Bowl wins, his only two of an amazing career.
But they are two of few exceptions.
 
His ending was winning FO in 2022 and retire .But when you win you think you have still more to win. When you loose in round 1 and round 2 you know time has come . It is basic human nature .
 
The big 3 deserved to be put to pasture...too bad there weren't any players up to the task.
Surely before alcaraz and now sinner there were no player who was fighting on equal terms with big 3. Novak won 12 slams after turning 30. Nadal won 8 slams and fedrer who turned 30 way back in 2011 managed to get 4 slams and whole generation of players who start playing professionaly from 2003 to 2023 hadnt done any justice .
 

RSJfan

Hall of Fame
Sampras had an ideal ending. It was like an American movie.
I was at the 2002 final. It was a nice moment. But as others have pointed out it wasn’t a hard ending. There was no announcement of any kind that it was the end nor any ceremony. Just a regular trophy ceremony. Nothing cinematic about it. He was subsequently in an uncertain state for almost a year until he formally ended his career. They had a ceremony acknowledging his retirement at the 2003 USO.
 
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Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
Surely before alcaraz and now sinner there were no player who was fighting on equal terms with big 3. Novak won 12 slams after turning 30. Nadal won 8 slams and fedrer who turned 30 way back in 2011 managed to get 4 slams and whole generation of players who start playing professionaly from 2003 to 2023 hadnt done any justice .

That's why they would have required a concerted effort. It didn't pan out that way. C'est la vie.
 
That's why they would have required a concerted effort. It didn't pan out that way. C'est la vie.
3 players won 66 slams and rest of players (except murray and stan who won both won 3 slams) failed . No matter how great roger or rafa or novak was other players were not upto the mark.
 

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
3 players won 66 slams and rest of players (except murray and stan who won both won 3 slams) failed . No matter how great roger or rafa or novak was other players were not upto the mark.

But they were not up to the mark, in large part because Roger/Rafa/Novak were great. Although injuries also derailed a lot of careers around that time.

It's unfortunate that Delpo/Thiem/Murray/Raonic all had pretty substantial injuries. I think all three would be a little less cozy if these guys had been around in full force. But it's not their fault.
 

Cabeza del Demonio

Professional
It's his own fault for convincing the ATP to make that silly exho count in the official records.

I enjoy it to an extent, but it truly carries no more weight than an exhibition.
Might be an exhibition, but it's still been such a great addition to the game. Where else could you get Federer joined in his retirement ceremony with Nadal playing alongside him, and Djokovic and Murray hyping them up from their corner?
 

NAS

Hall of Fame
I have already commented, atleast Big three can never have ideal ending as they were always dedicated to play more.
For Rafa 2022 was ideal ending, ending year end Ranking of no 2 at age of 36 with two slam but he wanted more.
Same with Djokovic he won three slam in 2023 and yec also, later won Olympics gold, now think if he has retired at Olympics after winning gold, it could have been his ideal ending but again he want more...
Wanting to play more or win more in late 30 is double edge sword
 
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MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
I have already commented, atleast Bog three can never have ideal ending as they were always dedicated to play more.
For Rafa 2022 was ideal ending, ending year end Ranking of no 2 at age of 36 with two slam but he wanted more.
Same with Djokovic he won three slam in 2023 and yec also, later won Olympics gold, now think if he has retired at Olympics after winning gold, it could have been his ideal ending but again hen want more...
Wanting to play more or win more in late 30 is double edge sword
I think he missed becoming #1 by 1-2 matches too, ugh
 
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GloW

Professional
The only "ideal ending" is if he had died after winning RG22 (his 14th). Then he'd be "frozen in time" right there. Like a movie. It just ends.

That's probably a bit too high of a price to pay for the "perfect" ending, no?
WHAT!? Nadal DYING is your ideal scenario?! what is wrong with you?! :oops::censored:
 

JoshDragon

Hall of Fame
The only "ideal ending" is if he had died after winning RG22 (his 14th). Then he'd be "frozen in time" right there. Like a movie. It just ends.

That's probably a bit too high of a price to pay for the "perfect" ending, no?
What? Like in the movie Gladiator? :oops:
 

JoshDragon

Hall of Fame
The only "ideal ending" is if he had died after winning RG22 (his 14th). Then he'd be "frozen in time" right there. Like a movie. It just ends.

That's probably a bit too high of a price to pay for the "perfect" ending, no?
What if Nadal wakes up after winning his 14th French Open, only to find that the whole thing had been a dream?
 
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