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Simon Williamson

South Africa
News24 User

'A man's world?'

by Simon Williamson
2009-07-06 12:16

Dear Editor,

After yesterday, many sport conversations will be centred around how good Roger Federer really is at tennis, and whether or not he is the greatest living sportsman, let alone the best tennis player of all time. He will be held aloft by many who declare him better than Sampras, better than Laver, ahead of Bjorg, Lendl and Macenroe.

But is this man really the most talented at swinging a racket at a little yellow ball? Because, and this may sound confusing, he is NOT the leader when it comes to Grand Slams. In fact, he still has three to go before he levels with someone else I have in mind.

He also lags in terms of career titles - by 110, and he has 177 less doubles and mixed doubles titles. He is still two behind in Wimbledon titles - in fact, this other player I am thinking of won seven consecutive Wimbledon singles titles - something Borg, Sampras or Federer has NOT been able to do.

In this day and age, I find it completely absurd that the greatest player of all time doesn't leap out at you. I find it hard to believe that Roger Federer will be considered the greatest of all when someone who you absolutely do know of left a trail of Grand Slam losers in her wake.

Yes, I said "her". Because there is no way that Martina Navratilova cannot be considered one of the greats of the game she made her own.

But why, in this supposedly gender-balanced world, can the greats of tennis only be men? Why is it Laver and Sampras who are held in such reverence? What about Billie Jean King? Steffi Graf? Chrissy Evert?

Do we really disrespect women's tennis to the point where they can not be admired the way men are? That they are relegated to three sets of tennis instead of five? Why is Navratilova not held in this god-like position like Pistol Pete and Feddie? How come Borg gets to be a deity of Centre Court but Martina can't?

Some may say that it is because the men would beat the women if they played each other. But by this non-relative definition, one can then definitely say that the modern age players would destroy the chaps who played prior to the 70s, and the whole point becomes moot because no one is then the greatest which defeats the whole point of the discussion.

Navratilova is the most successful tennis player of all time - in career titles and Grand Slams - but she is not the greatest.

Certainly, we live in a man's world.

Simon Williamson

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Marina 7/6/2009 12:22:24 PM
It has to do with spectator value. In no way can you compare the 3 sets woman play with the marathon 4,5 hours played by the men yesterday. They played 95 minutes for the final set! That is about the same amount of time an entire woman's match is played.
When the ladies can doe that, they can talk of being GREAT. BTW, I'm a woman.

MattP 7/6/2009 12:23:51 PM
Point well made Sir! Cant believe them feminists havent jumped all over this!!

mikematthee 7/6/2009 12:27:38 PM
Deal with it.

john 7/6/2009 12:29:57 PM
yes, martina was very good but the best player ever... So, you want male/ female performances to be viewed in the same light. Then why dont we just play one wimbedon without sex classes and see what gender will advance beyond the quarter final. Federer will sweep the floor with a eg. Serena Williams. case closed..

Frank 7/6/2009 12:30:24 PM
Simon, you do make a point, yet there is a bit of further research to be done here. For instance, let's look at the quality of the field. Woman tennis only came to the fore in the last few years and I still feel the field is not as competitive or as strong as the men. I for one always said that if women want to be treated as equal then they should be in equal competition to the men. They already get the same purse as men and yet still only play 3 sets max, while men play 3 sets min. I've never heard of a woman's match going on for almost 5 hours yet this year as well as last year's mens final went over 4 hours. How then can it be considered equal? On a side note I've always hated to compare people of different era's due to the fact that the conditions, equipment, etc. where all different.

Frank_Lampard8 7/6/2009 12:33:40 PM
Simon,You sound like you may have been a Womans Right activist in your past life.Lay off the domness and write us a more interesting letter,Mmkay??

Reon 7/6/2009 12:45:01 PM
What the hell? Nobody said Roger was a more succesful player than Martina. She has won more grand slams etc etc and when (yes I said when) Roger takes that record(s) as well we will be calling him the greatest AND most succesful tennis player. It is nobody's fault that women and men can not compete with each other in some sports. Roger will beat Martina (at her best) 99 times out of a 100. That is just how it is. He is the best tennis player ever and I am sure that if you go and ask Martina, she will confirm it.

wikki wikki 7/6/2009 12:57:40 PM
This is true for any sport, really. Look at the Cricket World 20/20 Tournament which just too place. The commentators mentioned the Women's Tournament (which was running at the same time) a few times on air, and also stated that the prize money for the Women's Tournament amounted to about a 10th of what the Men's Tournament payed out. It's about Branding. Sponsors pay a lot of money to facilitate these sports events, and must receive a certain return on that investment, which Women's sport just doesn't bring due to lack of spectator interest. The media also attracts more interest for the same reason, thus increasing their opportunity to sell ad space. It's a vicious circle.

You are an idiot! 7/6/2009 12:59:47 PM
Article is so factually incorrect! Margaret Court has won more singles grand slams(24) and the most combined grand slams(singles, doubles and mixed) than anyone at 62. Please know your facts b4 u publish w@nker!

Mr Bombastic 7/6/2009 1:00:33 PM
The problem is in this: Currently Women's tennis is a great farce, where emphasis is not placed on style and shots but more on who 'bliksems' the ball the hardest. Serena and Venus are great athletes but probably belong in a men's midfield alongside Patrick Vieira. No offence. Seriously, days of Navratilova, SG and Justine Henin are long gone and women's tennis has become more a game of power than style. Truly a shame. I love my tennis and remember looking forward to French and Wimbledon Women's finals but these days I skip it because it is truly turgid. Thus, no one wants to think about the womens' game at this stage. Such a shame. Worryingly these two are not inspiring the right culture into young female players. Young girls must either be thinking "Man, I've got to get onto steroids" or "Man(no pun!), screw this, I don't want to be like that!"

Bring back Justine and true style!

SimonP 7/6/2009 1:01:30 PM
Federer is the greatest male tennis player of all time Navratilova is the female equivalent. Enough said.

Paul @ Simon 7/6/2009 1:01:31 PM
At the time Martina played, she WAS touted as the BEST etc. BUT when was the last time she played a game????????
This is now...the present.
Can you not grasp this fact????

Silver Surfer 7/6/2009 1:07:37 PM
We will have to agree to disagree on your point about them playing against each other. Quite honestly, Ivan Lendl or John McEnroe would have beaten Martina in a match on centre court, so who is the better player ?

PN 7/6/2009 1:08:29 PM
Maybe we should arrange a match between Federer & Serena Williams to help you understand the difference?

Nthatuwa 7/6/2009 1:09:32 PM
Simon,thanks.And I ask the same question.Litle is being said about great female tennis players.I nenver thought about it much until I read your article.I'm glad also,by the fact you're a man.Marina,maybe you have a point.But can we have the greatest man & women in tennis play so we can prove what you're saying?lol

bongani 7/6/2009 1:10:06 PM
I do not think he is the best. He had a good game. I will give him the great in Tennis once he has won more finals against Nadal.As things stand he is just another good tennis player. But to suggest that he might be the greatest sportman, that is taking too far.

da Brudda 7/6/2009 1:12:43 PM
I admire and enjoy women's tenis. And yes, they are greaty within their own right. But, like in most sports, the numbers involved in women sport is waaaaay less than me. So to get to the top, men have more competition. And, no, I do not mean to detract from the great women tennis players. BTW - who are you trying to suck up to??.....trying to impress some of the females out there......anybody specific??

Gerhard 7/6/2009 1:13:52 PM
Yes, i agree Marina, and we see that in the difference in the cheque dished out after the game! it is not a male/female thing, it is what sticks in the mind. After all, we are a fiddle bunch...

Sense 7/6/2009 1:14:02 PM
The grunting is getting out of control and it is really anoying to watch! I find turning the sound off and then watching better! how could you enjoy the game and have to endure the loud anoying grunts! women tennis has gone bad!

Puhleez 7/6/2009 1:17:30 PM
Thanks for sticking up for the ladies, Simon. However, when women play sports and then complain that they cannot play as well and are therefore not admired as much as their male counterparts, it is the same as men who have babies and then complain that they can't breastfeed them. While men have no problem with women playing sports and women have no problem with men raising their children, there are some ways that the male body is simply superior to the female body and there are some things that the female body can do that the male body cannot. Instead of resisting this fact and being jealous of one another, why don't we admire the other gender for their relative superiority in that particular space? Women do not need to scrum down with the guys any more than men need to put their breasts to their babies. In the mean time, no one is stopping us ladies from playing sport but let us not pretend to ourselves that we can compete with the guys, or expect the same level of interest and admiration from spectators. They are better than us at sport and so what? We know our strengths and no one can take them away from us, so perhaps it is a "Woman's world" too!

Patrick 7/6/2009 1:18:42 PM
Yawn....

yuvraj 7/6/2009 1:19:42 PM
Roger is the best there was, the best there is, and the best there will ever be.

MM 7/6/2009 1:21:09 PM
Well said Simon. Martina is the best tennis player in history. Her results speak for themselves! She dominated womens tennis and raised the woman's game to a new level.

Anele 7/6/2009 1:22:56 PM
I agree fully but this is with all sports , I mean in the comrades for so long the men collectivley get more than the ladies yet the distance is the same . Navartilova stayed on top of her game and yes I think she should be deemed the best ever . Oh and she still plays tennis now !

Piet 7/6/2009 1:28:42 PM
Navratilova was a great player, and perhaps she was the greatest of all time. However, all these comparisons and records have to be seen in context of the company in which she played. When she arrived on the scene, Chris Evert was "the best player in the world". Chrissy would not even make a semifinal of a Grand Slam today. Martina reigned alone and supreme until Stefi Graf came along (at 17!).

The point is that men's tennis is more competitive. Federer's record stands out because of the company he keeps: Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Roddick, and many others, all capable of winning a Grand Slam on a given day.

Chris G 7/6/2009 1:30:08 PM
Would Navratilova have been able to beat the top MALE player in her day? The men are considered the greatest because they're the best PLAYER, not just the best mens player. If one of the women was able to beat Federer then I would be impressed. It's not sexist, that's just the way nature works... men and women are NOT physically equal.

Cobus 7/6/2009 1:32:16 PM
I'll watch ladies tennis again when the Williams sisters retire.

James 7/6/2009 1:33:25 PM
@Marina
But What about the match where Macenroe beat Jimmy Connors in straight sets in the Wimbledon final? Was that not entertaining?

Chazz 7/6/2009 1:33:49 PM
Oh Simon, get over yourself.

Johann 7/6/2009 1:35:07 PM
Look you make fair comments, but and please do understand this - Federer would also wipe the floor with Navratilove. Yes, as a female player she was supreme, but when it comes to the greatest tennis player it is Federer. Why? Because he is better than any women ever was or will be. How do I know that? Well I think it was Venus who wanted to play with men and a guy ranked 201 challenged her, beating her 6-1, 6-1...

You want to argue over who is the best? C'mon get real...Is it a man's world? Well put Federer in his underpants sowing his bum inside Sport Illustrated and see how many copies they sell... It is a women's world, because no matter how good you are, if you are slightly good looking us men will pay top dollar to be teased by you.

Mark 7/6/2009 1:43:52 PM
You bring up an interesting point. However, when considering the greatest tennis player of all time, one must consider the player that could beat anyone. Is this not the point of nominating all time greatest players. Could Martina Navratilova beat Roger Federer? No way.

She would be probably not be able to beat any of the men in the top 30 rankings of the world let alone Federer or Sampras.

It is not sexist to say that a man is stronger then a women, so by definition when looking for the greatest athlete in a field where strength is a big factor one would not look in the female category at all.

MK 7/6/2009 1:44:20 PM
Oh, cry me a river...

Prez 7/6/2009 1:47:37 PM
What do you prefer more in the male form than female form? a)Rugby b)Cricket c)Golf d)Football e)Moto-X f)Basketball g)Baseball...? Sort of stating the obvious ain't it...?

Godfrey 7/6/2009 1:48:52 PM
It is quite interesting to note that you don't even make mention of any of the Williams sisters who are some of the best tennis players in the world. People are very baised in the way that they look at issues. I think we overall just have to grow-up as far as biaseness is concerned. pale-skinned individuals must also accept that dark-skinned people are equally capable and they must be acknowledged for their dexterity on several fronts, be it business, sports and politics. Pale folks must just grow-up

Bonny 7/6/2009 1:48:57 PM
@ Marina. Thankfully most women will never have the physical strength of men, so they will always have to compete separately. Most women would not like to have to give up their femininity (except maybe the Williams sisters..) in order to bulk up to compete with men. I do agree that most women's games will be passed by for the men's games in terms of spectator value (except possibly beach volleyball..). I certainly would rather watch the Springboks and not the Springbokkies.
It is great though, that there are some sports where men and women compete equally, no handicaps..all equal.

Anon 7/6/2009 1:49:48 PM
Maybe because she was more man than woman?

Robert Ndungane 7/6/2009 1:50:15 PM
Feminism......... (sounding like Joe from Joe Dirt)

turbo_superboss 7/6/2009 1:55:11 PM
when judging a player, you can't just look at the quality of the player, but also the quality of the competition. there are lots of good male players whereas the womens tournaments are not littered with as many strong players. The semis saw Venus destroy Safina as if she didn't exist. What sort of competition is that?

Andrew 7/6/2009 1:56:45 PM
I remember women tennis players were complaining that they earn less prize money at Wimbledon than the men, but I have not heard then complaining about only having to play 3 sets. If you look here: http://aeltc2009.wimbledon.org/en_GB/about/pdf/Prize_Money_2009.pdf
both women and men seem to both earn the same prize money, even though men play up to 2 sets more than the women. That relates to more viewing time for spectators and television, and brings in more revenue. Men's tennis is also played at a greater tempo and power which arguably makes for more intense tennis action. One could also argue that the women's tennis circuit is less competitive than the men's, making it easier for a great player like Navratilova to win so many titles.

TM 7/6/2009 1:58:23 PM
Was just thinking the same thing, have been keeping track of the news headlines since 6am and I still havent heard who won the ladies final....

egg 7/6/2009 2:04:50 PM
The quality and level of competition is not the same. The fact that Venus Williams managed to beat the "world number 1" 6-1 and 6-0 in the semi-final again emphasizes this. That's also why the ladies should not earn the same prize money as the guys. People in general prefer to watch the more competitive mens game and that gets bums on seats. When / if the women's game can charge the same ticket price and get the stands full, then that's another issue altogether.

Ty 7/6/2009 2:09:35 PM
To be honest women's tennis is mediocre. Nothing as meticulous in comparison to men's tennis, where the slightest of errors is punished and the smallest of weaknesses exploited. Take a simple example Venus Williams beats the no1 player in the world (Safina) 6-1,6-0 in a semi-final of a major tennis tournament (how that happens beats me) but goes on to lose in the final against her sister, who played dismal tennis in her semifinal. The standard in women's tennis is very low it must be said. Now pro-feminists might just up and down but if they are really honest to themselves they'll concede that it is true.

@TM 1:58 7/6/2009 2:18:57 PM
Does it matter?

Simpiwe 7/6/2009 2:20:47 PM
Nobody enjoys watching Ivanovic prancing around in a short skirt more than me, but the tennis itself sucks. Just like men suck at ballet... Some sports are just more suited to a specific gender! Deal with it.

troll 7/6/2009 2:23:33 PM
easy really...mens tennis is FAR more competitive than women no matter what you say. Just go look at the amount of professional female tennis players compared to men in the 80's and 90's.

Willie @ Bongani 7/6/2009 2:27:43 PM
SWHOOSH!!! Over your head my brother...LOL They are talking about the greatest all time, Nadal still has some work left to do.... ;)

Anon 7/6/2009 2:41:07 PM
@Anele 1:22:56 PM, and do these woman win the "top" men when competing?

Dan's an idiot 7/6/2009 2:48:44 PM
Attempting...to...care

wikki wikki 7/6/2009 2:54:58 PM
Guys, I don't think Simon means Male vs Female, but rather "here's Male tennis + recognition" AND "here's Female tennis + recognition" ... at the moment we're pretty much just getting the "here's Male ... everything".

That said ... watching Federer play is kinda like watching a woman play ... ;P

T 7/6/2009 3:05:55 PM
Agreed, your point is your point and mine is this was boring.

Houg 7/6/2009 3:08:51 PM
Woman can't compete with men in any sport that is why we have golf and women's golf, tennis and women's tennis, cricket and women's cricket. If men and women were to compete in the same competion no women would ever win anything. On the PGA tour Michelle Wie is competing with the men rather than the women in the LPGA and she is never going to come close to winning but at least she competes against the best and can say that she is the #200 golfer in the world which means a hell of a lot more than being no.1 in womens golf but the No.1 women's golfer gets more glory.
Women should just be happy that they have seperate competitions to enable them to win if this does not please them they can go to the kitchen and bake me a pie!

Angie 7/6/2009 3:11:12 PM
Navratilova is a MAN!

Chris 7/6/2009 3:12:00 PM
Womens tennis is THE most overrated sport in the world. What a lot of screeching, screaming and grunting - unattractive and downright f-ugly!!!

Ngwenya 7/6/2009 3:15:30 PM
I've waited for this topic for quite some time.Thanks Simon for bringing this up. I was very disappointed when they increased women's price money to equal that of men in tennis. Women play two sets and she's won, we as males play three,apart from that we as men are more competitive(physically) and the tensity in the men's game,look at yesterday's final.It is with disrespect to us guys to compete so hard and the two-setters get the same award.

To be honest,women's champion or even the world no.1 Dinara Safina cannot compete with the top 100 men,that's a fact, and you give them the same amount as Federer,not fair.

The current 100th ranked player,Marcel Granollers can wipe out all women tennis players on his own in matches that won't last even 30 mins.

You therefore cannot have a woman greatest player and winning financial awards should be reviewed.

GeePMB 7/6/2009 3:21:25 PM
When the women play 5 sets and not three and they can handle an almost 5 hour game, then maybe they will be seen as equal. Womans tennnis is a procession of the Williams sisters followed by the rest, it is boring and predictable and VERY noisy!!

aka aka 7/6/2009 3:25:11 PM
Only if we let the women play against the men can your argument hold. Otherwise you are comparing apples with oranges and that is not very clever. Having said that, Fed Express is the best tennis player of all times. Hail King Roger.

War 7/6/2009 3:28:02 PM
So let her play in the men's league, and we'll then judge.

beans 7/6/2009 3:32:53 PM
R F ' s mother said you can only tell when Roger hangs up his takkies. As for womens tennis its just not tennis. Most of the time its a scream zone

Carey 7/6/2009 3:41:58 PM
Its about what is news worthy NOW. My guess is that if Serena Williams was anywhere near breaking Martina's records, everyone would be as excited about that as they are about Federed breaking Samprass' record. Martina was brilliant, and when she was still competing, she got a lot of publicity and all the recognition she deserved. But its old news now, just as Federer will be old news in 20 years' time.

Women's tennis does not get much publicity these days simply because it is so mediocre. One day, hopefully, there will again be a lady who can rival Martina Navratilova. Until then, I will be watching Federer. He is just so much more enjoyable to watch than the screaming fasion models...

KR 7/6/2009 3:54:29 PM
What are you talking about? Martina is a man who played in the ladies section.

Carey @Willie 7/6/2009 4:00:16 PM
Yes, Rafa has more work to do, and as someone who is very much enjoying the Federer/Nadal rivalry, I hope that his body will last a few more years. Unfortunately, his style of play is already catching up with him, and may in the end prevent him from playing long enough to catch up with Federer.

Sorry Simon its not ur world! 7/6/2009 4:15:20 PM
Reason why Federer is in the centre is because of his achievement as an all time legend. U are trying to compare women's physical attributes to that of a man and thats where u are getting confused. Men can do 5 sets because of our physical advantage over women (FACT!) Why are u trying to compare 2 different classes? Federer is the best MALE & actually women have gotten plenty recognition in Tennis, so i dont get ur point? U never even mentioned the Williams sisters who i think are better than most women stars from the past. anyway Federer is the best TODAY! Sorry Simon but ur PMS has gotten the better of u.

Joanna 7/6/2009 4:15:20 PM
I think it is because men take a particular sport to it's peak. It is like watching the first few games of a world cup and watching the final - many will watch the opening games but how many times that will watch the final, where the best remain?
There is just something about experiencing sport at it's best, and I am afraid to say it but men offer this most often then not.
Still, there are many that watch the womens game too.

Non Grunter 7/6/2009 4:20:26 PM
Men are better to watch as they can concentrate on tennis.....not who can grunt the loudest!!

Eedubz 7/6/2009 4:21:21 PM
Anon 7/6/2009 2:41:07 PM - "and do these woman win the "top" men when competing?" Win the men as prizes?

Zondo 7/6/2009 4:27:47 PM
You guys kill me... some of the comments on this column are absolutely hilarious to say the least... Good Point, Simon. Look we're all biased to what makes us happy. Objectivity does not exist in this planet, let alone the universe. I agree with your point, but I won't promote it, Roger Rocks and that makes me happy. Ti h3ll with the rest!!!

Deon 7/6/2009 4:36:23 PM
When the "ladies" stop moaning and groaning with every shot played it might be nice to watch a match again.

George 7/6/2009 4:42:35 PM
Funny enough - I thought about this after the weekends tennis - The way I worked through the issue was that the Mens game takes place as a best of 5 games, resulting in the 3/4/5 hour tests of endurance, willpower and fitness we frequently witness. The Ladies format of best of three games often results in only two games being played . As a worst case example, you can theoretically have a format being contested with the best out of three shots only, over a net ....which can then surely not be compared to the battle we witnessed between the two Gents over the weekend. So for the Ladies to "compete" for the BEST player ever title - the format should have been the same.....

J&B @ Puhleez 7/6/2009 4:49:47 PM
Thanks for your sobering comment. Seems everybody missed that :). If society as a whole could operate on the strengths & weaknesses concept (and not "I demand") the world would be a much better place.....

Pagel 7/6/2009 5:39:15 PM
Who want the mens 100m at the Olympics? Bolt in world record. Who won the womens 100m - uhhh, don't know.

Case closed - mens sport are more competitive and has more market value. The day you start following womens cricket to the same extend as mens cricket, I will take your point.

HIM 7/6/2009 6:05:03 PM
Its all about capitalism and who generates the most buzz and revenue at the end of the day.

grant duT 7/6/2009 6:09:55 PM
Simon, i wonder how you conclude that all the women players you mention are not, as you put it, "revered" and "admired"... well, ummm, they kinda are feller! in the realms of women's tennis; likewise the men. as Puhleez 7/6/2009 1:17:30 PM, correctly points out, the differences in the games has to do with genetic/physical attributes and, sorry, but men are just physically stronger than women (generally). not sure the ladies could play the kind of marathon we have seen in some of the men's "epics", and another difference is that if they could, they would last forever because the rallies tend to be much longer anyway. the pay scales are the same these days for most tournies notwithstanding the 5 vs 3 set thing, which i disagree with. it doesnt mean that the women's game doesnt deserve attention but fact is they are quite different (ie men vs women's game). i must say though, all that screeching (which they try to pass off as grunting) is quite unpleasant to say the least.

Jason 7/6/2009 6:33:43 PM
You asked "Do we really disrespect women's tennis to the point where they can not be admired the way men are?" If you know the answer, why ask the question?

AJ 7/6/2009 7:15:28 PM
Marina I totally agree with you, to earn the same money you need to do the same amount of work as well, this is absurd to earn the same money for half the work(time)the men put in.

CR 7/6/2009 7:22:48 PM
If women stopped SCREEMING when playing it might be interesting!

Paolo 7/6/2009 8:40:11 PM
I have a thought. It's tennis. who cares?

Jill 7/6/2009 9:01:26 PM
Unlucky. Cry us a rivier. Female Tennis lacks finesse and is sadly not nearly as good as men's tennis. What best out of 3 sets against best out of 5 says to gender equality is laughable. I enjoy watching male tennis much more than the female shrieking and power-only tennis. Allow Roger to play against Serena and we'll have 6-0 6-0 (oh yes, can't allow a third set of course).

Jane 7/6/2009 10:47:04 PM
Woman tennis players only earn the same amount at the grand slam tournaments. Female players earn far less during the rest of the year and play just as much tennis as the male counterparts. The grand slams is where female players make money to play the rest of the tournaments. Men only play 5 sets at grand slams and in the finals of the masters series. Take a look at the earnings of the 100th player in the men and 100th player in the woman and see the difference in prize money. For the male 100th player year to date is almost double that of the female 100th player.
Something to think about!!

Al J. Venter 7/6/2009 11:38:59 PM
My comment comes from farawy Canada, and I concur totally with John. If the playing field was level, then we'd have a single Wimbledon title, irrespective of gender. But we don't because females play the lighter game. Lighter by one third, that is: two sets instead of three. Our darling ladies cannot complain either because they're now getting paid the same as their male conterparts.
Bottom line in tennis, woman's rugby, women's soccer and all the other sports in which there are men and womens' teams is that everything boils down to sheer, brutal physicality. Otherwise we would have had a couple of female 'Boks playing against the British and Irish Lions long ago...

gotlieb 7/7/2009 3:06:03 AM
It all depends who is playing. If it is the steroid pumped player that played Saturday with her counterpart, don't expect a huge crowd.

Kaapenaar 7/7/2009 6:39:50 AM
It just aint the same.

Val 7/7/2009 6:46:04 AM
Accepting the differences between the sexes. Why can't we give credit to the greatest woman player of all times just as much as to the greatest men's player. The point here is to give credit where and when it is due.

Peter 7/7/2009 7:10:49 AM
The Williams sisters are freaks of nature, they use brute power and that power, I miss the days of watching a tournament that skill, finess and the outcome was not so obvious, 3 sets for the same money, come on, why get the same money for less work..... Players like Agassi, Sampras, John Mac, Feddie, Bekker, they made tennis a sport that was interresting and enjoyable to watch...

Eldron 7/7/2009 7:42:57 AM
Sport is all about watching the best ATHLETES - sadly (and genetically) women are not the best athletes in the world. That's not to say they're any less motivated, train any less or sacrifice any less - they're just biologically handicapped. Unfair but true...

ROKOVICH 7/7/2009 8:00:19 AM
NADAL is the best player ever

superduper 7/7/2009 8:13:00 AM
If aliens attacked the earth tomorrow and challenged us to a single game of tennis to decide whether they'd leave or not, I'd send Federer to play. (only because we cannot resurrect Pancho Gonzales.)

yip 7/7/2009 8:13:03 AM
Nice article Simon. Really uh obvious to see that all the "YOU SAID WHAT???" comments come from men. Ah how times have not changed. Good on you Simon, you are a REAL man.

Maestro 7/7/2009 8:16:40 AM
Simon you are a twat! Fed is the greatest player ever, end of story. Martina is one of the greatest woman ever, Margaret Court rivals her on wins so its not a done deal. As for those dingbats who think just because Nadal beat Roger in a few finals he isn't the greatest, even the greats get beaten every now and then. Sampras, Borg, Connors, Lendal all lost lots of games. To reach 20 or is it 21 semi-finals in a row is unheard of. He is the king. Nadal has the game to equal it but will his body handle it, I doubt it but it is going to be fun to see if he can. On talent and desire I think he may well do it and we know he can win on both slow and fast surfaces so if ever there was a man to challenge Roger, its him. However for now, Roger is the greatest, and the greatest before him was Sampras and if he says it, then it must be, after all, I think he knows a lot more than us idiots commentating on this site!!

Wendy 7/7/2009 8:25:17 AM
I am an avid tennis supporter, and have missed many of my "programmes" to sit and watch the games. Unfortunately I have to say that I enjoy the men's tennis alot more than the womens matches - it is just a different level of play, and does not comes down to who can hit the ball the hardest. 90% of the mens matches were incredibly exciting to watch, and the quality of tennis was wonderful - I cannot say the same about the female's (I am still wondering whether the final was rigged, as from playing great tennis, Venus could barely hit the ball that day!!!!!!!) I completely enjoy the fact that I am a woman, and do not have the strength that my male counterpart has - but I am secure enough with myself, to accept that, and know that we will never be equals in the sporting world and it doesn't bother me. I like being a "girl".... Sinone, maybe you should enjoy the perks you get being female, and understand that men are always going to be more stronger than the female race, and you cannot compare us in sports!!!!!!!

the game 7/7/2009 9:01:49 AM
@ bongani ,clearly you dont watch tennis.sounds like you watched one game.the quality of federers game is there for all to see.what a role model!!!

i was bitterly disapointed in the womens finals this year with dinara loosing like she did,she chokes against the william sisters.
as or the women vs man things,thats a no brainer.

rodger will forever be a greatest why?
because he plays the game with such ease...he comes up with the most amazing shots!!!viva federer.lets see what nadal can come up with in the next few years,hes physical game is taking its toll already....mens tennis is the best,finish and kla!!!

therina 7/7/2009 9:16:54 AM
saying its a mans world is all good and well. 'but you just a boy' really. a man wouldn't compare who's the best, and man wouldn't make such a mess of the economy, polution and any other rules and law you boys make up. at the end of the day......'you just a boy'!!!!!!!!! put the ball in the ladies court, hon

GeorGe 7/7/2009 9:34:28 AM
Male or Female tennis: they should ban this grunting! It just is not tennis! Nadal, in my opion, will never equal Roger. But if he does - then I will be the first to congratulate him - although I do not like him for his arrogance and mean facial expressions. Roger is a man (gentleman etc etc)in every sense of the word. Enough said.

fedup 7/7/2009 9:58:06 AM
SIMON??!! somewhere in some part of South Africa theres a child that went to sleep and woke up without anything to eat or drink...please spare us!!y dont u leave this for your cheease and wine sessions man

Bonny 7/7/2009 12:24:16 PM
@ Houg. Get your facts straight bud. In equestrian events, men and women compete equally. And the women are as successful as the men.

fred@bonny 7/7/2009 4:11:14 PM
use your head bonny in equestrian sports men and women just ride the horse! the horse does all the jumping! so the physical aspect that everyone is talking about doesnt matter! to all women who feel that womens sport dont get enuf recognition ..... i say you guys should petition to participate with the males and see how that pans out for you!

Punani 7/7/2009 9:28:55 PM
One tournament. Problem solved! If your play is inferior, you get paid less with less recognition. The rules of life.....

Bonny 7/8/2009 2:11:21 PM
@ Fred. I was not disputing the fact that most women are not as physically strong as men...merely that Houg's statement was incorrect. Relax, I wouldn't dare to challenge your testosterone levels.

Shiza T 7/8/2009 3:23:56 PM
He is the best ! Ladies tennis is for the view (eg: success of Anna Kornikova) and mens is for the sport . Only joking ... but not really .

AM 7/9/2009 12:36:13 PM
This article is dull,we all know this and how about you give us a different view ... a waste of ink.

Vasan Ponnusamy 7/9/2009 4:06:01 PM
Its right, but it will take many years to get out of this gender bias...

@ Cobus 7/9/2009 5:58:34 PM
Same difference here, I will stop watching it then!

Houg 7/9/2009 6:27:56 PM
@Bonny, Ok so I did not know about Equestrian sports (mainly cause it is not a real sport), I am glad that men and women can abuse animals equally

Stupid Houg 7/10/2009 1:31:45 PM
@Hough - are you thick or something?? Equestrians DO NOT abuse their animals. The horses they ride cost more than you probably make an entire year so they are hardly likely to abuse these expensive creatures. Yes there are people who use questionable trainign techniques - they should be shot - but 99% of true equestrians would never hurt their horses. And yes I am an equestrain. Oh and by the way it is a sport - it is even in the olympics you nit wit

Girl Power 7/10/2009 1:38:30 PM
Listen all you sexist men who think women's tennis is a crock - if any of you loud and prouds had to get on a court with one of the great women players like Navratilova, Williams sisters, Graff, etc. you would be a sweaty, crumpled heap on the court begging for your lives. Big words from all you boys - so mabye you should stop your mouths writing cheques your asses cannot cash. I say bring on a William sister VS Federer match - it would be a superb bit of tennis

Half Saffa 7/10/2009 1:41:14 PM
Federer is half South Africa so he is doing us proud too when he wins. And all those comments about women shreaking on the courts - men also grunt and moan guys so dont think it is a girl only thing. A nasty thing but still something both sexes do.

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