Tennis Forum banner

Drop Tennis from Olympics - Yes or No? - What`s your opinon?

1K views 45 replies 33 participants last post by  Persian 
#1 · (Edited)
On the ATP board they have discussed about the statement of Mats Wilander who said he would prefer to drop Tennis from the Olympics. :fiery:

Many of the guys there made suggestions to change the modus Tennis is played at the Olympics.

In my opinion Tennis should stay part of the Olympics. I remember Barcelona 1992 when they broadcasted the Tennis tournaments on two extra channels here in Germany. So I was able to watch the brilliant final of the women`s tournament Jennifer Capriati (3) vs. Steffi Graf (1). My dream came true when Jenny won it 3/6, 6/3, 6/4! :hearts:

At Atlanta 1996 I was proud to see Lindsay Davenport as the Champion. I wanted her to win because Jennifer wasn`t nominated to play in Atlanta.

At Sydney 2000 Venus Williams won the Gold Medal. I didn`t like that. I wanted Lindsay to win there again and I was frustrated that they didn`t nominate Jennifer again although her ranking was good enough. It was hard to choose the right players because Lindsay, Jennifer, Monica and both Williams were very close with their rankings like it is today. But they should have chosen Jennifer instead of Monica or V. Williams.....

In my opinion Tennis should stay part of the Olympics as I said.
It should stay the way it was: Two Singles players, some countries get a Wild Card for a third Singles player. Two players who represent their country in Doubles. But it should be allowed to nominate two other players, not only one and a player who plays Singles has to play Doubles, too, like it was at Sydney.

I think they should have bigger draws. 96 players perhaps as it is played at the Liptons. Then players from smaller countries would have the chance to be part of the Olympics. I didn`t like the fact that some countries had the chance to nominate four players in a draw of 64 players at Sydney. I think it was too much.

In a draw with 96 players it would be possible to nominate 3 singles players for the big tennis nations + one Wild Card. I think it would be great to see players like Sfar, Mouthassine, Selyutina, Cho, Widjaja.....at the Olympics.

So my suggestion: 96 players, 32 seeds with first round byes, big tennis nations with 3 players + Wild Card. The Doubles draw with 32 teams is okay.

What`s your opinion?
 
See less See more
#27 ·
:eek:

but that post was also directed to some who were saying that they would like all the best players there too.

Just make it a team comp.
 
#31 ·
HELL NO! The more tennis is exposed the better for the sport.

Personally, anytime a women has a shot at a GOLD medal or MEDAL in a high profile arena such as the olympics that alone makes my day. Just think of all the GOLD medal winners we'll see in the future.

Tennis is a great sport and needs to be honoured in the highest format, keep it in the OLYMPICS. It deserves to be there!!:)

Besides it is a UNIVERSIAL sport that covers the entiere WORLD over. Isn't this what the games are really about? Countries coming together and competing? Tennis is all about that to me.:)
 
#33 ·
To reiterate what I said on the ATP board:

I agree with Wilander.
Tennis doesn't need the Olympics and the Olympics certainly doesn't need Tennis.

For Athletics, Swimming, Rowing, Shooting, Archery etc. etc, The Olympics are The Holy Grail. Tennis has it's own Holy Grails!

And whilst I know some athletes are highly paid, there is still something of the amateur ethos that Tennis lost years ago.
 
#39 ·
I quite like the ideas that the ATPers came up with. A mixed event would be great :) More high-profile players playing mixed doubles (which is always fun to watch) for their country, although I suppose seedings would get a little wacky . . .
 
#40 ·
wongqks said:
I think they should have a team event and on Olympic year, Davis Cup and Fed cup will not be played, this can be easily coordinated since Davis Cup, Fed Cup and Olympics are all owned by ITF
I agree TEAM TENNIS would be the way to go. Otherwise the public would think it's just some rich professionals who want some light under the Olympic sky.
 
#42 ·
No, what a ridiculous idea. Being on the Olympics gives tennis so much exposure, why eliminate it? Besides, some players love representing their countries and winning medals for their country, it is a big honour. So it shouldn't be elminated.
 
#43 ·
No. Simply because Tennis is a great sport and needs to be represented in important events like the Olympics.
 
#46 ·
I would like to see a few sports dropped form olympics, countries that bid for them need to have satisfactory sporting facilities, putting more sports in it is only decreasing the amount of countries that can bid for it, I mean it's only a few weeks, and they could play tennis when the olympics are happening.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top