KRISTEN’S KOURT: Are the Olympics Just a Wimbledon Do-Over?

Written by: Staff on 16th July 2012

RAFAEL NADAL WILL BE THE SPANISH OLYMPIC TEAM FLAG BEARER

KRISTEN'S KOURT: Are the Olympics Just a Wimbledon Do-Over?

epa03306439 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal delivers a speech after he received the Spanish national flag which he will bear during the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony, at Spanish Olympic Committee headquarters in Madrid, Spain, 14 July 2012. Nadal will be the Spanish olympic team flag bearer in the London 2012 Games beginning on 27 July 2012. EPA/BALLESTEROS |

By Kristen Tracy

The 2012 London Olympics are less than two weeks away. If you’re a major sports fan like I am, then you are most likely counting down the days until opening ceremonies commence. And even though the tennis portion doesn’t begin until the latter half of the games, I can’t help but wonder if this will be nothing more than a take two of Wimbledon. I mean, think about it. They’re not changing the surface – the grass is merely being reconditioned back to its pre-Wimbledon form. With the exception of the sponsorship banners in the stadium, they’re not changing the venue. And with a format that is exactly like every other tournament on both the ATP and WTA tours, there’s no reason to believe this competition will be any more or less predictable that the rest.

Almost all the top players are expected to represent their respective countries, making the London draw very similar to that of a grand slam. That being said, do we automatically count Roger Federer as the champion? What about Djokovic and Nadal? Are we to assume that the “Big 3,” as they are often referred to, are the odds on favorites to take home the gold, silver, and bronze medals? Not so fast, if you ask me.

There’s naturally a lot of pressure (both physical and mental) on pro tennis players to do well. Every year they have ranking points to defend and foes to face. Not to mention the fact that the tennis season is the longest of any sports season, coming in at almost 10 months for those top players who make it to the year-end championship or those in the Davis and Fed Cup finals. The grueling schedule alone proves that those players lucky enough to be ranked in the top 30 have fought hard to earn their spot. But what do you suppose happens when the pride of your country is at stake?

Tennis is an individual sport, unless of course you are a doubles player. Otherwise, you are responsible only for yourself, and the wins and losses come because of your effort alone – no one else’s. But something funny happens to players during the likes of the Davis or Fed Cup matches. They are suddenly thrust into a situation not familiar to many. While the match score is based on their performance alone, it contributes to an overall team score – one that helps their country advance in the tournament. And throughout the course of competitions such as these, some pretty remarkable matches have taken place. Has anyone forgotten how John Isner took down Roger Federer in Switzerland in the first round of Davis Cup this year? Under “normal” circumstances, Roger would have been considered a shoe-in to win. But that win from Isner was no fluke. Just a couple of months later, he did it again by beating Jo Wilfred Tsonga in France. And I’m not saying it’s an American thing. Many other memorable matches like these have taken place. What they all have in common though, is that the player is no longer playing for the individual; they are playing for a team. And something happens when the reputation of your country is at stake. It causes players to fight harder, play better, and surprise us all with what they are truly capable of.

So when the London games begin in less than 14 days, don’t count anyone out. Rafael Nadal will be looking to prove that his second round loss at Wimbledon was nothing more than bad luck. Novak Djokovic will be looking to prove that although he may no longer be the top ranked player in the world, he’s still the guy to beat. Roger Federer will be looking to prove that he does in fact belong on top. Andy Murray will be looking to prove that his run to this year’s Wimbledon final was no fluke and that his country should be proud of him. And the boys of the United States will be looking to prove to the world that they can still make the magic happen.

If you ask me, this year’s Olympic medals are completely, 100% up for grabs.

Follow Kristen on Twitter! @KristensKourt

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Topics: Jo Wilfried Tsonga, John Isner, London Olympics 2012, men tennis news, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News, Wimbledon, women tennis news