Are present champions better than past champions?
By DanaMark
@DanaMark (807)
United States
June 12, 2007 7:19am CST
Do you think past champions could beat the champions of today? For example, could Bjorn Borg beat Rafa Nadal on clay? If Borg had today's equipment, could he win the French Open, or have people's talent's progressed so much that it would not even be a contest? You may apply this to other sports as well.
3 responses
@mike2003 (287)
• Philippines
17 Jun 07
Players today have the advantage of all the scientific training that professional athletes are trained. That's why past champions may still be able to compete in today's circuit but not dominate like they did during their times.... Today's champions are definitely better equipped which makes them appear better players..
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
17 Jun 07
I agree. The past champions with the same scientific training as today's athletes and the same equipment may well be just as strong. I'm not sure how much of the improvement is from better equipment and training, and how much is just from an intense desire to be he best which takes someone above where anyone else has ever been. That sounds a little like Star Trek, going where no one has ever gone before. lol
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
12 Jun 07
Indeed. One would have to take into account the fitness of today's champions, the new training techniques, etc. I guess I'm saying, just take Borg at his level of fitness and talent back then and put him up against Nadal with his level of fitness and talent. I think the level of play has increased to the point where past champions in certain sports like tennis would not be able to compete. Take track as another example. Runners today are faster, no question about it. Records are constantly being broken. The overall quality is increasing as people continue to push themselves to win. I think that leaves the past champions in the dust as far as being able to compete. That means "Who is the greatest ever" takes on a whole new meaning. I don't think Rod Laver could compete against today's tennis champions, so to say he is the greatest isn't completely accurate IMO.
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
8 Jan 08
Well,
I tend to think about this a lot with football, I don't see many great footballers making it into days "fast" cutting edge style. I know one's like pele could but players like "best" wouldn't IMO the games changed to much.
Tennis, is a lot different it goes down to skill, being able to play under stain and make the game work for them. I think most of the past champions could make a good career now, although I doubt all would make a bigger name as they've already got. I think only a certain few would be able to return to the level of glory that they have at the moment.
~Joey
