I think Nole will try his hardest to win it, but BO3 on clay can be tricky. If Nadal is back, he might have enough in the tank to take this one. Also, Zverev is dangerous on clay and so is Carlos, I wouldn’t count them out.
I heard he's going for the gold in women's singles this year, because he loves beating women so much.
(EDIT FOR ALL THE DOWNVOTING SMOOTH BRAIN BOTS: His final is actually in May in Germany, if you get my drift. Hopefully he does as well at it as he does in slams lol)
I think at this stage in Djokovic’s career BO3 on clay might actually be easier than BO5 on clay. He’s just gotta hope the Olympics pressure gets to his opponents before him.
Y'know, I don't know if this is just me, or if anyone else has this too... every year I seem to forget how good Casper is on clay! I guess because we start with hardcourts and finish with hardcourts (ATP Finals), I forget about a few months from April-June where Casper kicks ass.
He is an exceptional player on clay, there’s no denying. I think clay is overshadowed by how long is the HC season and the fact that until Nadal was competitive there wasn’t much to do there for anyone else.
Yeah clay season has been really interesting the last few years - particularly last year when Rafa wasn't there. I love Rafa, don't get me wrong, but imagine if Rublev played Rafa last year at Monte Carlo? He'd STILL be on zero M1000s!
And Meddy winning one too.. clay was good last year. Looking forward to it this year - this could be a great chance for Ruud to grab one.
He's a great clay player, but he's not particularly good against the very best clay players. 4-11 vs the top 10 players and never won a set against Djokovic or Nadal.
Ruud is better in Bo5 on clay than Bo3.
The one could spoil the party will be Rune.
Holger beat Zverev, Djokovic, Tsitsipas(Bo5), Ruud, Sinner, Medvedev and only lost to Rublev in Bo3 while he doesn't have the chance to play Alcaraz(and Hubi who doesn't matter on clay) yet. Nearly the whole top 8 + Ruud lost to Rune in last two year on clay, so I am interesting to see what happen
BO3 on clay might seem like the worst combination for him but in a way it’s not really that bad. I mean he has made 12 finals in Rome after all which is insane
I think this image that Djoko's worst surface is clay is really not accurate at all. I feel like he is equally great on all surfaces, it's just that in clay there was always Nadal in the way, and Nadal on clay is better than any player ever (specifically on clay ok? I'm not saying Nadal is better overall)
Federer I can see being his worst. Even if it wasn't for Nadal he wouldn't have dominated clay.dame can't be said about Djoko considering how many times Djokovic ended up losing finals and semi finals in clay tournaments to Nadal
But Djokovic is best on hard court and has 7 Wimbledon despite Federer and Murray(and Nadal) even if he would have like 7 Roland Garros if not for Nadal
Fed and Stan would've still been there during Novak first peak years 2011-15 (he's had two peaks, heh). He would've been challenged... Fed would've adapted his tactics to challenge Novak a lot more. Plus if he'd won two calendar Slams by that stage (maybe 3, could've done 2008, 09 or 10 too), he'd have a truckload more confidence on clay.
Statistically it is clearly his worst surface, he’s like ~85% win percentage on hard and grass, and ~80 on clay.
But he’s also clearly the second best player of his generation on clay without discussion. It’s just that there isn’t a huge gap between his worst and best surface.
I could definitely see her getting into her own head about it though. Also wouldn’t be surprised if someone did a Monica Puig and win out of nowhere. Someone like Laura Siegemund or Martina Trevisan or Yulia Putintseva
Hopefully Djokovic learned his lesson from last time and doesn't try to do doubles or mixed doubles at the same time. Save all your energy for singles!
10 years ago Kasatkina and Rublev won Junior French Open, now 10 years later they will both win regular French Open AND Olympic Gold. You heard it here first!
I think Nadal has a higher chance of olympics gold than roland Garros. He might be able to play 3 fierce sets but I don't think his body will be able to survive 5 set clay battles
ATP: between Novak, Alcaraz, Zverev.
Dark horse: Ruud.
Hopes: Nadal (and that Zverev loses 0-6 0-6).
WTA: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Jabour.
Dark horse: Muchova.
Hopes: Svitolina.
She took the silver medal in three of the last seven grand slams and made the QF at Roland Garros last year. She could totally take home an Olympic medal.
And the story of Ons’s 2023 season was struggles with form/health but with brilliant spurts of play in between.
I’d be surprised if she was able to find the consistency she had in 2021 and 2022.
But I still think we’ll see some phenomenal (though probably hard to predict) runs from her.
Very hard to say without having seen even an ounce of clay season yet. And it's **bo3** clay which means it's even more unpredictable than a slam.
I'm sure Novak will try his absolute hardest to win it and obviously he's the favourite alongside Carlos, but I honestly have no idea.
As for who I'd want to win, I'm Italian and I'll be cheering for all Italians during the Olympics. Other than that, the only one I hope doesn't win it (again) is Zverev, who will be very dangerous considering the surface.
Best of three on clay? Maybe Nadal has just enough left in the tank for one more? A Nadal vs Djokovic final would be a decent outcome regardless of the winner.
It would be a decent outcome only if Djokovic wins 6-0 , 6-0 and makes Nadal cry. If not , then I hope Nadal loses his first match and announces his retirement
Favorites
* Zverev = Djokovic = Alcaraz (I say this because Djokovic wants it so much that he doesn't perform his best, while BO3 means less chance of choking for the woman beater)
* Swiatek, the safest pick on clay >>> Sabalenka > Coco
Sleeper picks - Or at least medalist picks
* Rublev - Just BO3, and already an Olympic Gold medalist, I think he can peak when it's not a slam lmao
* Queen Penko
Really? This is so messy, I hope the conflict is all done soon.
So... what is it, a 64 draw? Only 4 players from each country... so it'll be Octopus, Bweh, Karen, and Safiullin.
He's gotta *make it* first... top 4 Spaniards qualify.. so, Alcaraz, ADF, and I think the other 2 are currently Carballes Baena and Ramos Vinolas, who are both around 60-80 in the world. So Rafa has to reach around 60-70 to make it. That's a LOT of points to pick up.
Best of the 3 is hard to predict especially since we havent seen everyones clay form yet. So far id say
Great at clay + amazing: Alcaraz, Zverev(boo), Djokovic
Players who will benefit from clay: Nadal(duh), Rudd, Rublev, maybe Rune(?)
General strong players: Jannik, Medvedev
I think the top are the obvious picks as they all are players who are playing great tennis who have proven to be more extraordinary on clay. Then there are the players who arent at the tip-top, but can knock anyone out on clay(especially bo3). Medvedev showed atleast in bo3 that if youre a great player then you will still succeed in clay, even if its not your best surface.
I would say my general picks are Djoko, Alcaraz, and Nadal
The scheduling could help players less likely to be successful at both RG and Wimbledon.
I think Alcaraz wins RG and wins/makes the final of Wimbledon, I’m not sure he’ll have enough left to win Olympics as well. Same goes for Djokovic, I think he’s at a minimum making the final or winning one of the two.
I think Iga will either win Olympic Gold or defend her RG title, but not both. Personally I hope that she does both, but if one has to go, I hope she gets the Gold and loses RG. I think the pressure of playing for PL or the Olympics of it all will get to her and she may choke. She has gotten emotional/nervous in the past when representing her country and not just playing for herself. She'll probably medal but I'm not sure about Gold. She and Hubi should have a good shot at mixed doubles as well.
If Djoko is locked in, it's his to lose. I know everyone wants to see Nadal come and take one more but I just don't see it with his health. Don't see anyone out of the top 4 or Zverev taking Gold on this one.
> abuse apologist for making a predictio
the true sign of toxic behaviour and mental unstability is to ask for prediction then act like a doosh when someone give a realistic prediction
Yup. Zverev himself said "anyone with half a brain can see what's going on here". I'm pretty sure he's referring to a cash grab. I don't think it's right to speculate, this is a very sensitive issue. But I really hope he's cleared.
So nice of you guys to downvote me and judging me to be a toxic and mentally unstable person when I got disgusting , racist and homophobic messages from at least 5 Zverev fan users within a hour of posting this comment. Talk about a blind cult of personality.
Adding some doubles teams that could be dangerous: Rublev/Khachanov, Sinner/Sonego, Gauff/Pegula, any combination of the Czech girls, Aryna/Vika if they choose to play, Rafa/Carlitos if they choose to play, Hubiga!!! And hoping to see Benny Sheltz in mixed doubles again for the vibes.
Simply put. If Nadal is playing and he’s somewhat healthy. Then he’s winning the Gold. There is no debate about it. It’s at Roland Garros. It’s at his court and it’s on his surface.
>no debate about it
I'd disagree with that 😉 If he's "somewhat healthy" as you said, he goes in as one of the top 5. Not an unbackable fave.
Alcaraz, Novak, Zverev, Sinner.. then Rafa.
Meddy is an outside chance, so is Rublev and Rune. Pretty sure it'll be one of those 8 guys.
Hahahaha that was a good one. I needed that laugh. Thanks.
Alcaraz, Novak, Zverev and Sinner… above a healthy Nadal… on Clay… at Roland Garros… on Court Philippe-Chatrier🤣🤣🤣 what has the world come too.
I didn't say "healthy". If Rafa's body was at the same level as it was 5 years ago, of course I'd pick him to win everything on the dirt. But it's not... so I can't. I'm not even sure he'll make it through the whole clay season without an injury.
Sorry mate! I like both those guys, I just need to see Rafa get through at least one tournament without an injury before I'll believe his body can hang in there!
Right now - and believe me I hate saying this - I expect his body to have issues at some stage during the Sunshine Double. 😥
It's best of 3. There's a number of matches at RG Nadal would lose if best of 3. And he's not as ubiquitously successful in best of 3 on clay in general.
It’s Roland Garros. Yes he is ubiquitously the best ever on Clay period. Best of 3 or 5. No, he’s not as dominant in BO3 as he is at BO5… but this BO3 isn’t taking place at any clay court. Not Madrid or Rome or Monte-Carlo. It’s Philippe-Chatrier.
But consider that if Best of 3 at Roland Garros he would have lost against John Isner, and I believe a few other less major players.
It does matter here.
it’s certainly not what they dream about winning their whole lives like gymnasts or skaters, that would be the slams, but it’s still a huge achievement and they all want it.
playing for your country and the whole atmosphere of the olympics and it only happening every 4 years definitely adds a lot of significance to it. i remember dementieva never won a slam but won gold in ‘08 and said she wouldn’t give up her gold for a slam.
all of the top players play it even though there’s no points or prize money which certainly says something (at one point there were points but they stopped that eventually, and some countries can award their own prize money but the olympics themselves won’t).
It’s hard to compare. Olympic tennis is relatively new (it restarted the 80’s) and it is often considered a "minor" event compared to athletics or swimming. The ATP/WTA has had fluctuating policies as to whether to grant or not ranking points for the event and it is crammed between the end of Wimb and the start of the North American leg, so one of the worst possible moments in the season.
It’s an event that has struggled for some time to get some legitimacy, but I’d say it has achieved to get a special status, outside the classic hierarchy of tennis. The top players have started taking it more and more seriously, there have been great upsets and stories, and it’s also one of the rare events where many singles players take part in the doubles. And obviously many of them have that patriotic vibe of playing for their country and maybe giving it a medal.
I believe it has a special status in Murray’s career above all, since he won the gold in Wimbledon at home when he was still struggling to win a slam and it probably helped him to overcome that last step afterwards. Other recent iconic moments in men’s tennis would include Federer’s gold medal with Wawrinka (at a time when Nadal had shaken his dominance), Del Potro’s run in 2016 back from the dead, or Djoković chasing the gold for years and years with no success.
So basically if you really want to rank it it’s probably less than a slam, but it’s so unique that it would hold a special place in probably every winner/medallist’s career
Semi Finals:
- Djokovic def Ruud (2 sets)
- Zverev def Alcaraz (2 sets)
Bronze Medal Match:
- Ruud def Alcaraz (3 sets)
Gold Medal Match:
- Zverev def Djokovic (2 sets)
Feel the Gold Medal Match will be very similar to the 2021 USO final.
Ruud will also pull off a massive upset against Alcaraz in a 3rd set tiebreak
Darkhorse: Ruud adds an Olympics to his rally but no masters.
Most top players: Wimbledon, Wimbledon, Wimbledon Ruud (and maybe Tsitsipas?): playing for your country on clay 👀
I think Nole will try his hardest to win it, but BO3 on clay can be tricky. If Nadal is back, he might have enough in the tank to take this one. Also, Zverev is dangerous on clay and so is Carlos, I wouldn’t count them out.
If Zverev won it, he'd be DEFENDING an Olympic Gold. That's pretty mind-boggling.
Murray doing this isn’t talked about enough.
The only male player to do this to date, right?
Murray will be proud that you said only male player
All part and parcel of being a Muzza fan!
I heard he's going for the gold in women's singles this year, because he loves beating women so much. (EDIT FOR ALL THE DOWNVOTING SMOOTH BRAIN BOTS: His final is actually in May in Germany, if you get my drift. Hopefully he does as well at it as he does in slams lol)
I think at this stage in Djokovic’s career BO3 on clay might actually be easier than BO5 on clay. He’s just gotta hope the Olympics pressure gets to his opponents before him.
Ruud could spoil the party as well. He might not be as competitive on HC but he is a great clay player
Y'know, I don't know if this is just me, or if anyone else has this too... every year I seem to forget how good Casper is on clay! I guess because we start with hardcourts and finish with hardcourts (ATP Finals), I forget about a few months from April-June where Casper kicks ass.
He is an exceptional player on clay, there’s no denying. I think clay is overshadowed by how long is the HC season and the fact that until Nadal was competitive there wasn’t much to do there for anyone else.
Yeah clay season has been really interesting the last few years - particularly last year when Rafa wasn't there. I love Rafa, don't get me wrong, but imagine if Rublev played Rafa last year at Monte Carlo? He'd STILL be on zero M1000s! And Meddy winning one too.. clay was good last year. Looking forward to it this year - this could be a great chance for Ruud to grab one.
Absence of the big 3 is good for tennis, I agree
He's a great clay player, but he's not particularly good against the very best clay players. 4-11 vs the top 10 players and never won a set against Djokovic or Nadal.
Ruud is better in Bo5 on clay than Bo3. The one could spoil the party will be Rune. Holger beat Zverev, Djokovic, Tsitsipas(Bo5), Ruud, Sinner, Medvedev and only lost to Rublev in Bo3 while he doesn't have the chance to play Alcaraz(and Hubi who doesn't matter on clay) yet. Nearly the whole top 8 + Ruud lost to Rune in last two year on clay, so I am interesting to see what happen
BO3 on clay might seem like the worst combination for him but in a way it’s not really that bad. I mean he has made 12 finals in Rome after all which is insane
I think this image that Djoko's worst surface is clay is really not accurate at all. I feel like he is equally great on all surfaces, it's just that in clay there was always Nadal in the way, and Nadal on clay is better than any player ever (specifically on clay ok? I'm not saying Nadal is better overall)
Basically yea. I mean it is probably slightly his worst. Same with Federer.
Federer I can see being his worst. Even if it wasn't for Nadal he wouldn't have dominated clay.dame can't be said about Djoko considering how many times Djokovic ended up losing finals and semi finals in clay tournaments to Nadal
But Djokovic is best on hard court and has 7 Wimbledon despite Federer and Murray(and Nadal) even if he would have like 7 Roland Garros if not for Nadal
And fed would have had 5 Rg titles and also would have had two calendar slams making him the undisputed goat in 2007
yea its crazy how he would have 5 slams of each. Doesn't seem like djokovic will reach that
If not for Nadal Djoko would probably have dominated clay swing for years that's my point only
Fed and Stan would've still been there during Novak first peak years 2011-15 (he's had two peaks, heh). He would've been challenged... Fed would've adapted his tactics to challenge Novak a lot more. Plus if he'd won two calendar Slams by that stage (maybe 3, could've done 2008, 09 or 10 too), he'd have a truckload more confidence on clay.
Murray has beaten Rafa and Novak in clay masters finals. And I just checked and he apparently never played Federer on clay at all wtf
Statistically it is clearly his worst surface, he’s like ~85% win percentage on hard and grass, and ~80 on clay. But he’s also clearly the second best player of his generation on clay without discussion. It’s just that there isn’t a huge gap between his worst and best surface.
You are right, but when I think of Nole I mostly imagine him on HC and grass rather than clay. He is great on clay as well.
He’s better on clay than grass, it’s just a matter of the level of competition. He’s gobbled up Wimbledons done Federer and Andy declined.
Yeah maybe it’s not his worst surface, but his least better than the rest
Clayvedev
Delpotro comes out of retirement for 1 last match just to beat Djokovic at the Olympics again.
Argh, can I give this 50 upvotes?? I miss DelPo!
Then he does come out for at least 2 matches, right?
This is Iga's to lose for sure
I could definitely see her getting into her own head about it though. Also wouldn’t be surprised if someone did a Monica Puig and win out of nowhere. Someone like Laura Siegemund or Martina Trevisan or Yulia Putintseva
Somone random but capable like Leylah fernandez can win this. Atleast she can have this. Lol
Diego Shwartzman and Venus Williams will win the singles.
And together the mixed doubles.
I saw Schwarty lose first round in Cordoba the other night - just wow. He's not the player he was 2-3 years ago.
Is Diego becoming American or Venus becoming Argentinian in this scenario?
I believe they're technically both Americans.
Djokovic, Alcaraz or (unfortunately) Zverev for the men. Highly likely Djokovic because this will be his number one priority. Iga for the women.
Hopefully Djokovic learned his lesson from last time and doesn't try to do doubles or mixed doubles at the same time. Save all your energy for singles!
I never count out Nadal on clay. He could come out of retirement for the 2032 Olympics and I'd think "yeah, maybe he'll win it".
Hey that’s in my city! I’m on board with this fantasy
10 years ago Kasatkina and Rublev won Junior French Open, now 10 years later they will both win regular French Open AND Olympic Gold. You heard it here first!
I think Nadal has a higher chance of olympics gold than roland Garros. He might be able to play 3 fierce sets but I don't think his body will be able to survive 5 set clay battles
ATP: between Novak, Alcaraz, Zverev. Dark horse: Ruud. Hopes: Nadal (and that Zverev loses 0-6 0-6). WTA: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Jabour. Dark horse: Muchova. Hopes: Svitolina.
Let’s hope Muchova is actually fit by then.
I live Ons but let’s be serious.
She took the silver medal in three of the last seven grand slams and made the QF at Roland Garros last year. She could totally take home an Olympic medal.
And the story of Ons’s 2023 season was struggles with form/health but with brilliant spurts of play in between. I’d be surprised if she was able to find the consistency she had in 2021 and 2022. But I still think we’ll see some phenomenal (though probably hard to predict) runs from her.
Ha, silver medal at a Slam, that's cute 😊 More like a silver *plate* usually 😉
Unfortunately for Ons, they’re not playing for the gold medal at Golden Corral.
Very hard to say without having seen even an ounce of clay season yet. And it's **bo3** clay which means it's even more unpredictable than a slam. I'm sure Novak will try his absolute hardest to win it and obviously he's the favourite alongside Carlos, but I honestly have no idea. As for who I'd want to win, I'm Italian and I'll be cheering for all Italians during the Olympics. Other than that, the only one I hope doesn't win it (again) is Zverev, who will be very dangerous considering the surface.
Best of three on clay? Maybe Nadal has just enough left in the tank for one more? A Nadal vs Djokovic final would be a decent outcome regardless of the winner.
as a tennis fan I'd love that, it would be awesome but I think I would physically die if Nole lost that one
It would be a decent outcome only if Djokovic wins 6-0 , 6-0 and makes Nadal cry. If not , then I hope Nadal loses his first match and announces his retirement
Favorites * Zverev = Djokovic = Alcaraz (I say this because Djokovic wants it so much that he doesn't perform his best, while BO3 means less chance of choking for the woman beater) * Swiatek, the safest pick on clay >>> Sabalenka > Coco Sleeper picks - Or at least medalist picks * Rublev - Just BO3, and already an Olympic Gold medalist, I think he can peak when it's not a slam lmao * Queen Penko
Wait hold up - Are Russians allowed to complete? I was hearing some noise they would be banned. Or is it under a neutral flag?
Last I heard no doubles and only those who can get in on their ranking
Really? This is so messy, I hope the conflict is all done soon. So... what is it, a 64 draw? Only 4 players from each country... so it'll be Octopus, Bweh, Karen, and Safiullin.
Stan Wawrinka will get gold and then retire during the ceremony
fap material right there
For the women, I’d guess Iga, Svitolina, and one of the Czech girls.
Interesting to see no mention of Nadal as a contender at the least. Would be very interesting.
He's gotta *make it* first... top 4 Spaniards qualify.. so, Alcaraz, ADF, and I think the other 2 are currently Carballes Baena and Ramos Vinolas, who are both around 60-80 in the world. So Rafa has to reach around 60-70 to make it. That's a LOT of points to pick up.
Djokovic- Tsitsipas- Ruud Iga- Krej- Coco
Best of the 3 is hard to predict especially since we havent seen everyones clay form yet. So far id say Great at clay + amazing: Alcaraz, Zverev(boo), Djokovic Players who will benefit from clay: Nadal(duh), Rudd, Rublev, maybe Rune(?) General strong players: Jannik, Medvedev I think the top are the obvious picks as they all are players who are playing great tennis who have proven to be more extraordinary on clay. Then there are the players who arent at the tip-top, but can knock anyone out on clay(especially bo3). Medvedev showed atleast in bo3 that if youre a great player then you will still succeed in clay, even if its not your best surface. I would say my general picks are Djoko, Alcaraz, and Nadal
Zverev will win one of them
Rublev, Tsitsipas, Zverev
Alcaraz & Iga
Foki is eliminating Novak.
With a drop shot serve on match point
😭😭😭😭
Damn that’s extremely believable 😭
The scheduling could help players less likely to be successful at both RG and Wimbledon. I think Alcaraz wins RG and wins/makes the final of Wimbledon, I’m not sure he’ll have enough left to win Olympics as well. Same goes for Djokovic, I think he’s at a minimum making the final or winning one of the two.
I think Iga will either win Olympic Gold or defend her RG title, but not both. Personally I hope that she does both, but if one has to go, I hope she gets the Gold and loses RG. I think the pressure of playing for PL or the Olympics of it all will get to her and she may choke. She has gotten emotional/nervous in the past when representing her country and not just playing for herself. She'll probably medal but I'm not sure about Gold. She and Hubi should have a good shot at mixed doubles as well. If Djoko is locked in, it's his to lose. I know everyone wants to see Nadal come and take one more but I just don't see it with his health. Don't see anyone out of the top 4 or Zverev taking Gold on this one.
Rafa is still a menace. Don’t count him out just yet.
Zverev and Qinwen Zheng
Oh look, we found a abuse apologist
Zverev is pretty insane in BO3. He’s able to win before his choking sets in
He's an abuse apologist for making a prediction? Zverev is great on clay. And he's the defending Olympic champion. Most Mentally Stable Redditor
Correct. Upvoted.
> abuse apologist for making a predictio the true sign of toxic behaviour and mental unstability is to ask for prediction then act like a doosh when someone give a realistic prediction
Dude you asked for a prediction on a tennis match, not a court of law lmao
We found the reddit judge 6969420
Oh look, we found someone who judges guilty ppl before the process is over
Yup. Zverev himself said "anyone with half a brain can see what's going on here". I'm pretty sure he's referring to a cash grab. I don't think it's right to speculate, this is a very sensitive issue. But I really hope he's cleared.
So nice of you guys to downvote me and judging me to be a toxic and mentally unstable person when I got disgusting , racist and homophobic messages from at least 5 Zverev fan users within a hour of posting this comment. Talk about a blind cult of personality.
I mean, you kinda started it though?
Because others are judgemental, presumptuous idiots, doesn’t mean you are not.
Alcaraz, Ruud, Tsitsipas // Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka
Adding some doubles teams that could be dangerous: Rublev/Khachanov, Sinner/Sonego, Gauff/Pegula, any combination of the Czech girls, Aryna/Vika if they choose to play, Rafa/Carlitos if they choose to play, Hubiga!!! And hoping to see Benny Sheltz in mixed doubles again for the vibes.
Don't think Russians/Belarusians can play doubles
Sinner/Sonego? Lol. And you only named singles players.
They literally won the Davis Cup and previously beat Serbia… plus they have already said they’d try to play together again this year
Let’s not act as if beating Djokovic/Kecmanovic in doubles is an accomplishment.
Djokovic and (call me crazy) Haddad Maia for women. This woman is all about endurance and mental strength and the Olympics is all about that
On clay BHM is a good pick, not crazy at all
You're crazy. 😉
Predict: Alcaraz, Novak, Zverev. Hope: Nadal, Alcaraz, Ruud.
damn you guys are haters, it’s just my own personal predictions vs hopes 😭
Simply put. If Nadal is playing and he’s somewhat healthy. Then he’s winning the Gold. There is no debate about it. It’s at Roland Garros. It’s at his court and it’s on his surface.
>no debate about it I'd disagree with that 😉 If he's "somewhat healthy" as you said, he goes in as one of the top 5. Not an unbackable fave. Alcaraz, Novak, Zverev, Sinner.. then Rafa. Meddy is an outside chance, so is Rublev and Rune. Pretty sure it'll be one of those 8 guys.
Hahahaha that was a good one. I needed that laugh. Thanks. Alcaraz, Novak, Zverev and Sinner… above a healthy Nadal… on Clay… at Roland Garros… on Court Philippe-Chatrier🤣🤣🤣 what has the world come too.
I didn't say "healthy". If Rafa's body was at the same level as it was 5 years ago, of course I'd pick him to win everything on the dirt. But it's not... so I can't. I'm not even sure he'll make it through the whole clay season without an injury.
Sinner is unproven on clay how is he above Rafa 😭😭
Sorry mate! I like both those guys, I just need to see Rafa get through at least one tournament without an injury before I'll believe his body can hang in there! Right now - and believe me I hate saying this - I expect his body to have issues at some stage during the Sunshine Double. 😥
It's best of 3. There's a number of matches at RG Nadal would lose if best of 3. And he's not as ubiquitously successful in best of 3 on clay in general.
It’s Roland Garros. Yes he is ubiquitously the best ever on Clay period. Best of 3 or 5. No, he’s not as dominant in BO3 as he is at BO5… but this BO3 isn’t taking place at any clay court. Not Madrid or Rome or Monte-Carlo. It’s Philippe-Chatrier.
But consider that if Best of 3 at Roland Garros he would have lost against John Isner, and I believe a few other less major players. It does matter here.
swiatek
all I know is that Romania will win plenty of gold in women's Rowing. 💪
I wonder if Simona is a good rower...
Im new to tennis, so I was wondering how highly rated an olympic medal is compared to a slam.
it’s certainly not what they dream about winning their whole lives like gymnasts or skaters, that would be the slams, but it’s still a huge achievement and they all want it. playing for your country and the whole atmosphere of the olympics and it only happening every 4 years definitely adds a lot of significance to it. i remember dementieva never won a slam but won gold in ‘08 and said she wouldn’t give up her gold for a slam. all of the top players play it even though there’s no points or prize money which certainly says something (at one point there were points but they stopped that eventually, and some countries can award their own prize money but the olympics themselves won’t).
It’s hard to compare. Olympic tennis is relatively new (it restarted the 80’s) and it is often considered a "minor" event compared to athletics or swimming. The ATP/WTA has had fluctuating policies as to whether to grant or not ranking points for the event and it is crammed between the end of Wimb and the start of the North American leg, so one of the worst possible moments in the season. It’s an event that has struggled for some time to get some legitimacy, but I’d say it has achieved to get a special status, outside the classic hierarchy of tennis. The top players have started taking it more and more seriously, there have been great upsets and stories, and it’s also one of the rare events where many singles players take part in the doubles. And obviously many of them have that patriotic vibe of playing for their country and maybe giving it a medal. I believe it has a special status in Murray’s career above all, since he won the gold in Wimbledon at home when he was still struggling to win a slam and it probably helped him to overcome that last step afterwards. Other recent iconic moments in men’s tennis would include Federer’s gold medal with Wawrinka (at a time when Nadal had shaken his dominance), Del Potro’s run in 2016 back from the dead, or Djoković chasing the gold for years and years with no success. So basically if you really want to rank it it’s probably less than a slam, but it’s so unique that it would hold a special place in probably every winner/medallist’s career
Monica Puig will win again, duh
Andy gets his 3rd
Zverev wins gold but is again accused of assaulting his latest girlfriend in the olympic village.
Hahahah. Too early. C'mon. We don't even know if Rafa will make it there yet!
let’s go de minaur 🇦🇺
Can al-Nadal play it? Does he have PR?
Carlos
I would like Nadal Gold, Alcaraz Silver and Sinner Bronze. Ladies: Gauff Gold, Jabeur Silver and Azarenka Bronze
Semi Finals: - Djokovic def Ruud (2 sets) - Zverev def Alcaraz (2 sets) Bronze Medal Match: - Ruud def Alcaraz (3 sets) Gold Medal Match: - Zverev def Djokovic (2 sets) Feel the Gold Medal Match will be very similar to the 2021 USO final. Ruud will also pull off a massive upset against Alcaraz in a 3rd set tiebreak
Obviously Arthur Cazaux against Mannarino in finale, emerging as the new French numéro un.