If you were Federer: 3 more slams or ...

[Steven Gerrard]

a gold medal in the Olympic singles, a Davis Cup win for Switzerland and a win over Nadal in the French Open?

Three more slams, say one more each at W, the USO and the AO, would take him to the magical number of 20, unheard of in the mens' game 10 years ago, and never say never, but unlikely to be topped in our lifetimes. Djok is probably the only guy we all know of at this stage who could be half a chance in years to come.

But in my opinion, a gold medal in the Olympic singles, helping his country win the Davis Cup and the toughest test in tennis, beating Nadal in the FO final, would look more impressive on his resume and would round out his career nicely.

While Federer at this point has won the most trophies worth winning, only Agassi at this point has won every trophy worth winning.

Agassi:
Wimbledon champion
USO champion
FO champion
AO champion
Season ending champion
Olympic Singles gold medal
Member of winning Davis Cup team

Federer:
Wimbledon champion
USO champion
FO champion
AO champion
Season ending champion

Federer does have a gold medal in the doubles, so he will always be known as an Olympic gold medallist, but it is not seen in the same light as the singles gold medal.

Also, whilst Davis Cup relies on having at least one decent team mate, it is still a trophy every great player should strive to win at least once.

So if you were Federer, would you take scenario 1 being 3 more slams to get to 20 slams or scenario 2 being Olympic singles, Davis Cup and FO win over Nadal.

For me I'd take scenario 2. At least then he would have Agassi's accomplishment covered.

 

[Steven Gerrard]

I forgot to add this in my op, but no one will ever hold it against Federer for not winning 20 slams. Since he broke Sampras' record, every slam win he has had after that has been the record.

However, some may hold it against him for not winning Olympic singles and Davis Cup, particularly the Olympic singles, which is now regarded as one of the big 6.

 

[Mint Condition]

If I was Federer, in terms of personal satisfaction definitely the 2nd option. In terms of legacy though and what would possibly cement him as the GOAT, I'm not so sure. 20 slams would be way above the next best, and these days number of slams seem to be the most important criteria (I don't necessarily think that it should be, but it is). To use the olympics as an analogy, slams are gold medals and everything else is a silver or bronze.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

However, some may hold it against him for not winning Olympic singles and Davis Cup, particularly the Olympic singles, which is now regarded as one of the big 6.

No one, in their right mind, seriously would. Those people are just nit-picking. The only reason Federer would take an Olympic gold over a slam this time, is because it's being played in Wimbledon.

 

[Kaan]

I would even prefer 2 slams over those 3 things.

 

[Andronicus]

Are you asking the question or telling us the answer?

 

[Steven Gerrard]

Are you asking the question or telling us the answer?

I asked for peoples'opinions and then gave mine.

 

[Steven Gerrard]

No one, in their right mind, seriously would. Those people are just nit-picking. The only reason Federer would take an Olympic gold over a slam this time, is because it's being played in Wimbledon.

Mate, you should head over to some stand alone tennis forums. Every second thread is a GOAT discussion, and take my word for it, these blokes nitpick, because they are weighing up everything and taking everything into consideration, eg, most slams, head to head, statistics, weeks at number 1, which trophies certain players have NOT won, etc.

On a sidenote, some bloke on this particular forum 'Tennis Warehouse' can quote you the score of pretty much every match ever played in his lifetime.

 

[Caesar]

I think Federer would probably even prefer one slam over singles gold. The thing about the Olympics tennis tournament is that it's pretty unimportant in the tennis world. And in the Olympics world, a gold medal is a gold medal - and Federer already has one for doubles. That may not count much when considering his tennis career, but in terms of a personal achievement he's still an Olympic Champion. He's stood on the top of the dais and heard his national anthem played. So I doubt he'll be too fussed about not winning it.

Davis Cup for Switzerland would be pretty special but it's never going to happen. He and Stan are solid both in singles and doubles, but you can't win DC with two players any more.

PS - in addition to the tournaments in the OP Agassi has also won 7 of the 9 Masters Series events at least once, plus the Masters Cup/Tour Finals. I believe this is a record he shares with Federer (Nadal has 7 as well, but has never won the WTF). Definitely the most well-rounded CV in singles tennis.

Incidentally, Daniel Nestor has the most rounded CV in tennis. As a doubles player he has won every Slam, every Masters Series event, the WTF and a gold medal.

 

[gaelictiogar]

Interesting thread.

How many weeks did Jack nicklaus spend as No.1? How many PGA events did he win. Few if any of us know the answer to either if we don't google them. How many majors? Many of us, not even golf fans know its 18.

Equally few non tennis fans will tell you how many weeks Fed has spent at No.1 or how many ATP events he has won but they will associate the number 17 with him and also the number 7 for Wimbledons won just as they associate 7 with Sampras.

Golf and tennis are similar in that slams or majors are in truth the only criterion.

Does Tiger Woods want to win a Ryder Cup or win another major? he wants the major.

Does Fed want a Davis Cup or another slam? He wants the slam. The number of slams he finishes on will more than anything define his career.....that and his uniquely graceful game.