Where does WTF stand?
- Thread starter Omega_7000
- Start date
PMChambers
Hall of Fame
It does not help that it's not televised unless you subscribe to tennis cable channel. I managed to torrent the matches, but your right they don't have much prestige outside die hard tennis fans.
In the 80's they had a wow factor because the amount of money on offer. They where worth more than GS in prize money. Mac & Lendl issues also gave it good coverage but the Madison Square Gardens era was more like a pit fight than tennis.
Players today are to wealth to fight over the cash. They seem to take it like a fun end of year get together. There's a doco on youtube called "Facing Federer Tennis Masters Cup Uncovered" it looks like they really don't care that much. Players don't hate each other enough for these invitationals to have enough emotion, and the cash is not as important.
The Dark Knight
Legend
Well if Federer , Nadal , Djokovic. Murray and Agassi can't convince you I don't think anyone can .....
I don't think there's a higher authority than those guys.
PMChambers
Hall of Fame
It looks to me like the Olympic committee are trying to make it valuable. Until 2004 it had no ranking points, until 2008 no top players won. And no, Agassi was not a top player he was ranked 8th and he beat players outside the top 20 including bronze medallist who never even won a ATP500 or 250.
This tournament is bellow a 1000ATP and does not have the history or prestige of a Top 1000.
I will change my mind if in 10 years (Another 3 Olympics) if the top players continue to turn up and make an effort to win. But currently you only have today's Top 4 players showing they care. That is not enough.
Bear in mind there where times when current ATP where considered more important that GS, the Rome was on par with the French, Indian Wells drew better field than AO. there where time when the USO was disputed as invitationals drew better field and had more money, and yes money is important in 60 & 70 as it kept player playing.
The reality is if GS where decided today Wimbledon would be relegated to a ATP500 because it's played on grass and does not have a decent lead up. All Wim lead ups are ATP250 grass events no one really cares about.
The Olympics requires a few more tournaments with respect from more than one generation of players to make it as important as some of the ATP 1000 such as Indian Wells, Rome, Monte Carlo, etc, which have a history of great respect by players. If this happens I'll change my mind.
Men's ATP ranking points
2012 2008 2004 2000-earlier
Gold Medal 750 400 ? 0
Silver Medal 450 280 ? 0
Bronze Medal 340 205 ? 0
This tournament is bellow a 1000ATP and does not have the history or prestige of a Top 1000.
I will change my mind if in 10 years (Another 3 Olympics) if the top players continue to turn up and make an effort to win. But currently you only have today's Top 4 players showing they care. That is not enough.
Bear in mind there where times when current ATP where considered more important that GS, the Rome was on par with the French, Indian Wells drew better field than AO. there where time when the USO was disputed as invitationals drew better field and had more money, and yes money is important in 60 & 70 as it kept player playing.
The reality is if GS where decided today Wimbledon would be relegated to a ATP500 because it's played on grass and does not have a decent lead up. All Wim lead ups are ATP250 grass events no one really cares about.
The Olympics requires a few more tournaments with respect from more than one generation of players to make it as important as some of the ATP 1000 such as Indian Wells, Rome, Monte Carlo, etc, which have a history of great respect by players. If this happens I'll change my mind.
Men's ATP ranking points
2012 2008 2004 2000-earlier
Gold Medal 750 400 ? 0
Silver Medal 450 280 ? 0
Bronze Medal 340 205 ? 0
The Dark Knight
Legend
It's just so important . Forget that joker lost the AO.....he won the wonderful WTF !!!!!
Yipeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Yipeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
The Dark Knight
Legend
Who is talking about ease? I'm saying in the scheme of things it just doesn't matter. No one actually cares.
The Dark Knight
Legend
People always talk about the Olympics . Where is the media attention to wtf?
Long forgotten my friend.
People always talk about the Olympics because of Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt, not because they get to see great tennis being played there. The focus is not on tennis, tennis is just a side-show for the main acts.
The Dark Knight
Legend
So the golden slam is about the WTF?
Golden slam is just a term that would make no sens without the word slam in it. It could be very well the World Finals Slam Tour.
The Dark Knight
Legend
And yet every discussion for candidates for greatest of all time always talk about the Olympics . Why don't they talk about the WTF?
What significance does the WTF really have for goat ?
If Nadal wins this AO many will say he is the goat because he has won each slam twice , has won the Olympics .......the wtf will be ignored .
cknobman
Legend
Wow so you are going to snuff Rod Laver??!!! You discredited your entire argument right there.
He has long been the basis for GOAT and is still talked of today even though he does not have an Olympic gold medal.
Why does enerything has to signify something besides the obvious? WTF is the second most prized event in the ATP tour. Since the ATP rates it at 1500 pts, that makes it the second most important tournament in tennis, after the slams. Period. The ATP decides the value of the tournament, not the fans.
And there is no GOAT. Never was.
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