2007-08-30 19:01:23 · 11 answers · asked by Matthew Shlmn 5 in Sports ➔ Tennis
I'll have to disagree with Dr D on this one and I'll explain why. If Federer left the game, you would obviously see a greater variety of tournament winners and I'll go further to say that at least in America, tennis would actually be MORE popular, not fade to mediocrity. American players (as well as any country's players) would have better odds of getting to and winning tournaments (well, maybe not the French. LOL).
Here's how it would most likely play out...
Andy Roddick would likely be considered the best on grass at this point as well as probably have won one more US Open. Baghdatis would probably have an Australian on his shelf as would Gonzalez. Djokovic would probably be coming on and challenging everyone for the top spots as he is now.
I also think Hewitt would be higher ranked or at least climbing faster. He's met Roger in several late rounds only to get taken out when he could have gone all the way. Especially these days, but for Roger Federer, Leyton Hewitt is still a contender to the throne.
I'm not convinced that Nadal would be the clear #1 in the world as his success has come almost entirely on clay. He's grown tremendously on grass and might challenge Andy for the Wimbledon title but his hard court results still have yet to manifest themselves. And since hard courts make up 50% of the slams, his point accumulation would be limited to winning all the clay tourneys and getting what he can out of grass.
There are a number of other players that could be making headway. Davydenko would likely be #2 or #3 if not knocking on the door of #1 and Blake would, in all likelyhood, have a US Open runner-up trophy if not the title.
That was a great question!
Keep it between the lines!
2007-08-31 02:44:08 · answer #1 · answered by OneBigTennisFan 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jon Wertheim said "Parity is overrated".
People say that tennis is boring because one person keeps winning everything. No one said basketball was boring when Michael Jordan was playing. The reason they are fed up with Federer winning is because he is not American.
If he left tennis, the sport would just fade into mediocrity. And yes there would be more variety in male champions, but who said that's a good thing? Look at the NBA now. Different teams are winning every year and it's gotten stale, IMO.
*EDIT*
It's all good, tennisfan.
2007-08-31 02:08:57 · answer #2 · answered by Dr D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think if Federer left the game that Nadal would take his place. If Federer hadn't played this year Nadal would of already won not only the French Open but last years US Open and Wimbledon this year. If you look at the rankings point there is a serious separation between Federer/Nadal and the rest of the field, but like 2,000 points. So I don't think that more men would win, I just think that Nadal would step up and be a dominator, just like Federer is now!
2007-08-31 09:30:49 · answer #3 · answered by Missy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
For sure! He wins almost every tourniment (which I luv!) but if he left surely more people like Roddick and Blake would win. Although there still is some variety. Roger Lost the rogers cup and The french open this year to two different people! #2 and #3! Blake and Roddick usaully get out early because they face Roger or Nadal. :) -T
2007-08-31 02:09:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
definitely, although, nadal has proven himself pretty good on grass so he would probably be the new #1 player. the rest of the top 10 could easily win a grand slam if federer called it quits. He has won everything except for Nadal's French Open's the past 3-4 years.
2007-08-31 09:19:47 · answer #5 · answered by footdoc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, should Roger Federer take off for good, of course there would be more lucky winners...but there is just one Michael Jordan, one Paganini, one Wolfgang Mozart, one Roger Federer... Do you want me to continue? The difference between good players and TALENT is very tiny: genuine talent and hard work. More talented one person is, more he works to perfect it. So, should Roger take off prematurely, The Sport will lose its beauty
2007-08-31 23:18:29 · answer #6 · answered by ritajbaskin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think so, especially now with Rafael Nadal showing that he is capable of raising his game to a higher level.
2007-08-31 05:05:39 · answer #7 · answered by sokokl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes!
2007-08-31 18:04:50 · answer #8 · answered by Bo V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-08-31 02:47:23 · answer #9 · answered by john 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not on clay, but defintely on the other surfaces..
2007-08-31 09:41:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋