Why on earth is tennis part of the Olympics now? I mean these top players play not just for enjoyment?

Question

and their careers but for money. At the Olympics there is no money unless the sponsership company gives them some, so why play in the games when it is not the US open, Australian open, French open etc? I think they should take tennis out of the games. what do you think?

Answer 1

well,it was taken out for a long time till the barcelona games i think. so it has already been a non-olympic event. i don't really understand it myself. especially since it's always played in the summer during the hard court season leading up to the US Open,which imo,a slam is far more important than the olympics. for one,tennis players don't train for the games,as opposed to alot of the other athletes for whom the games are the livelihood,tennis players,ultimately,train to be slam champions.

Answer 2

there r only few players like that , most players want to represent the country at Olympics

Answer 3

Well, I think they should only allow non-pros to compete in the Olympics, which used to be the rule.

Olympic tennis is probably the only tournament (for lack of better word) that I don't follow at all. Davis Cup I follow only a little. So, to me it doesn't matter if its being played or not.  Although, the more exposure the world gets to tennis, the better.

Answer 4

Tennis players are atheletes and they like to play in the Olympics. It only comes around once every 4 years and it's something special. Besides they don't all play in it, it's a bit like the Davis Cup situation.

Answer 5

We wouldn't nix a grand slam because a few top players don't participate so I think they should keep tennis in the olympics.

It's not just about the top players, lower ranked players have fans too.

Answer 6

Unfortunately. people have seemed to forget what the Olympics are based on.  The Olympics are for NON-professional Althetes....at least until the last decade or so.

Now, as with most other things these days, it seems that corporate sponsors have managed to buy their way into you one more thing to ruin it for the people it was intended for.

Answer 7

It was a brilliant idea to include tennis in the olympics. Professional tennis players should be commended for availing their time to play for the love of sports (tennis)  in the olympics and be part of the global village. At least some of them (selected ones) are not asking for what their country can give them but what they can give for their country.

Answer 8

Tennis is a sport but for a few talented people it's also the way they make their living.  Do you think football players are in their sport because they like to sustain career ending injuries?  What about baseball players...I'm sure a lot of them do enjoy the sport but it's also their job.

I personally like tennis and glad to see it as a sport in the Olympics.  Players of any sport go to the Olympics in the hopes of winning for the prestige and the endorsements that follow.  Tennis players have to compete for a spot on the Olympic team just like every other sport.  So yes, tennis should be part of the Olympics.