Has Novak Got To Win For the Credibilty of the Sport ?

If you've been a follower of tennis for the past few years, you must reacall the likes of Safina, Jankovic and now Wozniacki being flamed for being world No1 and not winning a slam.

Won't it be just as bad to be the current holder of 3 of the 4 slams, and yet be ranked No2 ?

I think anyone saying Nadal winning hampers the credibility of the sport is a bit of poor statement if it is believed by anyone. This is a guy that has won 10 Slams, Golden Career Slam. Djokovic has won 2 Slams and had an amazing streak. Both players whom ever wins will be fitting champions.

legendkillar wrote:I think anyone saying Nadal winning hampers the credibility of the sport is a bit of poor statement if it is believed by anyone. This is a guy that has won 10 Slams, Golden Career Slam. Djokovic has won 2 Slams and had an amazing streak. Both players whom ever wins will be fitting champions.

....And, I will add, someone who has beaten the former number 1 4 times on the trott, including on his best surface, at his home tournament!

TOday Novak is allowed a slip up. It's going to be down to a point there and then....unless Novak hits form. Then it's one way traffic!

Now maybe I'm not reading this correctly, but I think there's been a bit of mi-interpretation of the topic. I think what Eric is saying is that whilst its been deemed a bit of a farce in the women's game that a number of No. 1s have got there when they've not even won a Slam then its also ludicrous for a man holding 3 of the 4 Slams to be ranked at No. 2.

But its the nature of the ranking system and what then is the fairer way?

It depends on whether you think slams are the be all and end all of tennis.

The credibility of the sport is not at threat whoever wins today. If it is Rafael Nadal which I think it will be it will be his eleventh slam and will continue to hunt down Federer's record. If it is to be Djokovic it will be equally merited for the new world No.1 and will continue the amazing year he has had.

they are equal on slams as far as this year goes, if previous years have been taken into account then Fed should still be the no. 1.

Novak is a worthy champion, grass not being his favourite surface even if he does not win this one, he is the new no. 1, no matter what some nadal fans think.

Novak 47-1 currently. Could be 48-1 after W. He deserves the #1 and has worked hard for it.

Holding slams is just one aspect of being #1, as Woznicaki has shown. Should Kvitova become the number 1 now?

Serena, holder of two slams prior to Saturday is ranked WTA #25.

Eric.. I detect shades of WUMmery.

laverfan wrote:Novak 47-1 currently. Could be 48-1 after W. He deserves the #1 and has worked hard for it.

Holding slams is just one aspect of being #1, as Woznicaki has shown. Should Kvitova become the number 1 now?

Serena, holder of two slams prior to Saturday is ranked WTA #25.

Eric.. I detect shades of WUMmery.

And the credibility of his posts.

Whichever competitor wins the 2011 Championships, there is no problem with the rankings. What Djokovic has done this season is simply phenomenal.

Even if Nadal wins this, he will be the Number 2 player in the World, "according to the official rankings."

That said, most people in terms of those who play the game professionally, administrate the sport of tennis, would affirm that Nadal is the BEST player in the world - absolute.

It is an interesting anomaly between the two sexes that we have a women's world No 1, whose performances in the Majors is rather lacking; and in the Men's, potentially a reigning champion of 3 of the 4 Majors, who has ALSO reached the finals in ALL of his tournaments in 2011, except for Queen's Club, as No 2.

I don't think that Djokovic is undeserving of the No 1 ranking at all, but it does seem rather strange; still, it is the work of a computer, programmed with the operational requirements, it has.

I am not sure of the numbers, but I imagine had Nadal won one of the four finals that he lost this year, it might have been enough to keep the No 1 ranking.

With all that said, Nadal would be much happier to end this match, as a 3 time Championship winner, World ranked No 2; than end it as World ranked No 1, but the Runner-up.

Majors may not be the ultimate yardstick, or only measure within a year of greatness, but rest assured they are absolute in terms of the bigger picture of the game.

I don't begrude Djokovic's No 1 ranking but agree with McEnroe that, whomever wins this match, is the BEST player currently in the game.

Nadal is playing beautifully now with a lot of depth on his shots

How many let court winners has nadal had, on break point of all things! That's his 4th net court I have seen and he has won every point, damn it.

wimby 11 - nole, that shuts them up all!

The best player is the #1, unlike the woman's game. This is the ATP and you don't get those ranking points for free.