I do wonder sometimes just what Rafa has been drinking to come out with such comments.
No way is a Gold medal more important than a Slam. A Slam is the ultimate test of a player with 7 matches over a 2 week period against the best. Some people will even argue that tennis should not be an Olympic sport as it is contested by professionals. The whole idea of the Olympics is for the amateurs to shine in their field.
“The Olympic Games is very special for many reasons and in my opinion the biggest one because you are representing your country,” Nadal said as he prepares for the Madrid Masters event starting next week.
“You have the feeling that you are with all the Spanish sportsmen representing our country,”
If Rafa cares so much for his country why does he not make himself available for all the Davis Cup matches? He withdraws as he wants to concentrate on ATP tournaments. But wait, playing for Spain is “the biggest”.
Bizarre statement Rafa. Tennis is about an indivdual with a tournament held 4 times a year for you to wrap yourself in the flag. Don’t forget where you made your name Rafa and that was not Beijing.
It has been reported that the ITF committee has changed its eligibility rule for the 2016 Olympics by doubling the amount of ties players will have to play leading up to the next Olympics.
Maria Sharapova is not in favor of this rule and has said this about the announcement:
“I’m disappointed.”
“I met with them once in Miami. They didn’t listen to us at all.”
Currently, you have to make yourself available for two ties in the two years preceding the Olympics, but the new rule states that you now have to be available for four ties in the four-year period leading up to the Olympics and Sharapova argues that this kind of rule change can cause some trouble in the players’ schedules on the tour.
Sharapova herself did take part in two ties for Russia during the 2011 and 2012 Fed Cup seasons but you have to argue that she only did that in order to get herself to become eligible for the Olympics. Otherwise she usually blames an injury, fatigue or a busy schedule for her inability to participate in the Fed Cup when it isn’t mandatory. So it goes without saying that even though this new rule is in place, if a spot at the next Olympics is at stake, Sharapova will no doubt comply with the new rules in order to get there. It seems rather odd that other players haven’t opposed this rule change yet, but if they happen to, only then it will become an issue that needs to be looked into.
I personally don’t think other players have a problem with this rule change and if you do the math, four ties in the four years leading up to the Olympics is only one mandatory appearance per year which I think would be a great incentive for players to go out and play for their country at least once if they want to represent their country in the Olympics. If they don’t have the desire to represent their country in the Fed Cup, what kind of message does it send to let them represent their country in the Olympics, assuming they’re just going for the gold without any regard for the country they have chosen to represent.
If you are a citizen of a country and choose to retain the nationality of that country while playing a sport, the least you can do is play one tie a year in the Fed Cup; especially when it comes to Maria Sharapova, who has been known for opting out of many Fed Cup ties and who is now complaining that there are too many compulsory ties to play if you want to get to the Olympics.
You should be proud to represent your country no matter if you’re playing in the Fed Cup or the Olympics. And if you can’t make an appearance once a year to represent that country, maybe you shouldn’t take a spot that could be taken by someone who considers it an honor to represent their country in an international event.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters will not play the French Open held in Paris, France due to still needing recovery from a hip surgery.
The 28-year-old, previously stating that she will end her career after this season, has been suffering from ankle and hip injuries for a while now. Clijsters admitted to having an injury after being defeated by Yanina Wickmayer in the Sony Ericsson Open last month.
The Belgian has also stated that she will mainly focus on the grass-court season that comes after the clay-court season, which includes Wimbledon and the Olympic Games.
Good luck to getting better and playing well again, Kim!
Jelena Jankovic has started to focus her year solely on winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
“I got injured even at the Fed Cup when I tore a muscle,” Jankovic told the Gulf Times. “So it’s hard, but I am really trying my best to come back. I have been consistently in the top 10 for five years and last year was the first time I finished No 14. Now I am No 13, but I would like to come back and be one of those top players and be really successful again. I could make a list of the tournaments I want to win, but first of all I want is an Olympic Games medal. To wear it around my neck, shining, that would be special.”
Andy Murray has announced that he will be playing Queens Club ATP tournament 2012. Murray will be using Queens Club as a lead up tournament to Wimbledon and then the summer Olympics in London.
Paola Suarez has decided to play doubles at the London Olympics with Gisela Dulko. Initally Suarez said no.. but after thinking about it for a long time she changed her mind and thought it would be fun.
There is still no word on whether it is just going to be for the Olympics or whether Suarez will return to play on the tour.
Former world number 1 Martina Hingis is hinting that she might be heading to the Australian Open to play mixed doubles with Roger Federer in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
Hingis will definitely be in Melbourne to help launch the first veterans’ event for women (women’s legends event).
Would you bet on Roger Federer and Martina Hingis not to win the mixed doubles title?
Roger Federer is still wanting to play mixed doubles at the Olympics with Martina Hingis. Roger has now stated that he would speak with Martina about the possibilities of playing for Switzerland at the 2012 London Olympics.
“Might as well just see if she is available,” Federer said.
“Even if she is retired, she might think about it at least.”
Hopefully we will have some news from Martina within the next few months.
There has been a lot of reports that a member of Roger Federer’s team has approached Martina Hingis to play mixed doubles at the 2012 Olympics.
“They asked that question…We’re still a long way away,” Hingis said. “I’m not sure, because you have to really commit. And I feel great right now, but it’s still a long way to go, it’s another year…I mean, I would have to play some doubles before, or some mixed…who knows?”
There seems to be a lot of entry requirements for Hingis, such as playing on tour so she can go through anti-doping tests, plus make herself available for Fed Cup.
It will be interesting to see if Hingis can commit.
It seems like Yevgeny Kafelnikov has way to much time on his hands at the moment. Kafelnikov is trying to qualify as a golfer for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“This period is long enough to reach serious playing level. I’m not completely sure I will be able to earn an Olympic qualification, but I seriously want to try my skills in golf. I made this decision after my recent win at the Russian golf championship. I proved I’m capable of playing golf by winning the national title. However, I understand it’s clear I have to practice for hours every day to reach a professional level.”
I have always thought that for hand eye coordination tennis is the toughest game in the world, so its now great to see that Kafelnikov can not just compete in Golf, but can play at an amazingly high level.
With the majority of the worlds best tennis players heading to Beijing this week, I was wondering what they would be playing for. Here is a quick look at what they will receive if they finish in the top 3.
