PETE ZIEBRON
NOTE: The following article was written after the 2007 Australian Open. The fact that Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina won the 2009 US Open may help South America's cause in landing a Masters 1000 tournament. Ideally, the addition of a fifth Grand Slam, played in South America would better balance the world rankings.
The question will remain, is Roger Federer the best tennis player ever? Or is it Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Steffi Graf or Martina Navratilova? Time will tell if Federer will be anointed as the greatest but first he will need to win a Grand Slam played on a clay court.
However a bigger question in the sport that has not been asked is "Why isn't there a Grand Slam tournament in South America?" The creation of a fifth Slam is indeed necessary. Upon the conclusion of the Australian Open in late January, the world does not have an opportunity to experience Grand Slam tennis again until late May when Roland Garros begins in Paris. What a shame. All of the momentum gained at the "Happy Slam" in Melbourne quickly subsides as the calendar meanders in February and tennis fans must wait an additional four months until the French Open gets underway. The last week of March would be a perfect time of the year to create a new clay court Grand Slam in either Buenos Aires or Rio de Janerio.
Why South America? Consider the fact that 17% of men in the top 100 are from South America. While North America, Europe and Australia enjoy a Grand Slam in their backyard, the citizens of South America have never had the opportunity to see Roger Federer play live. Pete Sampras never played in South America, nor has Maria Sharapova. One reason is that South America hosts only 4 of the 125 tournaments played throughout the world.
The fact that seventy-five percent of the current four Grand Slams are played on a fast surface is a big disadvantage to those whose best surface is clay. What would hard court specialist Andy Roddick's ranking be if three of the four Slams were contested on clay? Most likely it would be much poorer than he #3 ranking that he enjoys today. How many Slams would Pete Sampras or John McEnroe have won on clay? Probably only the Slams played on a surface other than clay. Certainly the world rankings, particularly in the men's game would be better balanced as a result of a new South American Slam played on a clay surface.
Anyone who has ever attended a match played by a Chilean, Brazilian or Argentinean will tell you that the passion that South American fans bring to the court is at a fever pitch. Similarly, a Davis Cup tie that is hosted by a South American country finally allows its mavens to cheer wildly as they support their heroes while watching world class tennis. A Grand Slam contested in South America would be 14 days of carnival.
Quite possibly Roger Federer will win the calendar Grand Slam in 2007 or in the near future. The addition of a fifth Grand Slam in South America played on clay would present Federer with a larger challenge. Can he win five Slams in one year? Can anyone?
Comments