[Litotes]

I do not attribute any special weight to the Olympics. About the same as a Masters seems correct. Tennis has its yearly rhythm, where the Olympics feel more like an intruder than a highlight. We also miss out on seeing some of the best players, as there are no more than three from each country. That means some class acts will not be selected. I believe last time there were five Russian women in top 10, so two of the very top could not play. And now with the tourmanent on grass, not all federations can confidently state which three are their best. I would select Mahut over Simon, but will the French agree?

The fact that only three sets are played also makes it impossible in my mind to compete with the slams.

I will follow the tournament, though. I follow every Masters.

[rafa_maniac]

I'm more excited about it than the US Open this year. On grass, at Wimbledon, with all 3 top players in form, fighting for #1 and claiming the Olympics as one of their top motivations of the year, and we only get to witness this every four years, should be a cracker.

[Litotes]

Originally Posted by rafa_maniac

I'm more excited about it than the US Open this year. On grass, at Wimbledon, with all 3 top players in form, fighting for #1 ...

It looks like you discount Djokovic' chances at Wimbledon. If he wins, there will be no opportunity for either of the other two to pass him during the Olympics - they will then have to wait until the North American hardcourt swing.

In fact, the only result ensuring all three have an opportunity will be a Nadal victory over Federer at Wimbledon. Should Federer win, Nadal will be too far back.

I would suppose you take the longer picture, as the Olympics might - in any Wimbledon scenario - help decide the years end No. 1. However, your comment about being "more exited about the Olympics this year than US Open" rather contradicts this interpretation...US Open, after all, gives 2½ times as much points to the winner.

So I guess you just really, really loves grass.

[rafa_maniac]

Well it's 800 free points up in the air during a time when there's a heated battle for the #1 ranking, so yes, I think it's veyr important in that scheme of things. And yes, I do really love grass.

[EddieNero]

Obviously the only reason why Nadaltards regard Olympics as an important tournament is because Nadal won it.
Otherwise they would call it Olympics Toast Finals taking away any meaning from it.

[duong]

Here

considering your question a poll might be good

Personnally the Olympics are about other sports and I would prefer my favorite to win a MS1000 for the points.

I think the players who missed it to play Washington made a very clever move

[Chirag]

I prefer watching events at the olympics which only get their fame there .I mean people train 4 years to take part in those events unlike tennis which we see all throughout the year .Olympics just doent have the tennis history

[Punky]

Originally Posted by stewietennis

It's about as significant as any Davis Cup

spot on

[heya]

individual olympic matches separate good thinkers from the lucky boys.

nadal, djokovic, and graf are heroes.
federer, roddick, blake, serena and venus are zeroes.

[MIMIC]

Originally Posted by duong

Here

considering your question a poll might be good

Personnally the Olympics are about other sports and I would prefer my favorite to win a MS1000 for the points.

I think the players who missed it to play Washington made a very clever move

Poll added

[duong]

Originally Posted by MIMIC

Poll added

Thanks

Personally I'm not sure I fit with one of the options because one of the main reasons why it doesn't mean much to me is that I will watch much less than usually (much less than MS1000)

But I will still watch the final and probably Fed's matches as I watch all of his matches, even in an ATP250, even Abu Dhabi

Well I guess in that case it fits "not a big deal but I'll definitely watch" ... but it means watching far less than usually ... because I will watch many other sports where more important competitions will take place

[duong]

Originally Posted by MIMIC

With most other sports, it's quite different because they don't usually face international competition.

they do usually (less than in tennis but still) but the Olympics have a meaning which no other competition can compete with.

And they prepare 4 years for that !

Completely different from tennis where very few people would say that the Olympics mean way much than the slams.

[Apophis]

The Olympics are very significant. But still below Grand Slam importance. Tennis not being an Olympic sport for a long time must have done some damage to the status of the tournament.

[Litotes]

The status of tennis in Olympics is at least higher than it used to be. Pete Sampras never even bothered to enter. It might well grow more important in the future.

[ossie]

Originally Posted by Filo V.

I don't care about the Olympics at all in any sport.

agreed, except maybe athletics.