The Most Fascinating Debates in Tennis Today

Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer? 

Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova or Serena Williams?  

Whether on comment boards, in bars or among friends, some tennis debates are more fascinating than others. 

The best debates are those in which both sides have solid arguments.

Equal pay is one of those. Men who sometimes sweat through five sets at Grand Slams have a point. But so do the women, who are performing at the same venue.  

Some arguments, like who is the greatest of all time, rage on forever, especially when people start including folks who played prior to television.

Here are just a few to get you started. 

Go ahead, pick a side. 

Just be prepared to back it up. 

Should Women Earn Equal Prize Money?

Some guys on the ATP tour publicly opposed equal prize money.

Last year, Giles Simon argued that men should make more. Simon said that men's tennis was way ahead of women's and that men spent twice as much time on the court. 

Maria Sharapova told Sports Illustrated, "I'm sure there are a few more people that watch my matches than his."

Who Is the Greatest Female Player of All Times?

Margaret Court holds a record 24 Grand Slam titles. Yet her name is often left out in the who is the greatest female player of all time debate.

Perhaps that's because even retired players like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, each with 18 Grand Slams, think today's field is deeper and more competitive.

So that brings us to the most common debate today: Steffi Graf or Serena Williams?

During a Wimbledon conference call for ESPN, John McEnroe said Williams is "the best player that ever lived." 

However, Graf's era bridged the careers of Navratilova and Williams. She has 22 Slams. Doesn't that give her the nod?  

This debate always includes "what ifs." What if Monica Seles hadn't been stabbed or Venus hadn't been born? How many titles would Serena have?

Which gets us back to Court. Twenty-four is hard to argue against. 

Who Will Be the Next American Superstar?

Right now the situation seems hopeless for American men in tennis.

But the U.S. has six female players in the Top 50 on the WTA tour. 

Which one will be the next American superstar?

Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens and Jamie Hampton are the front runners. 

Although Stephens has pulled off some big upsets, none of them have produced a break-out performance that separates them from the rest of the pack.

And even Keys, only 18, is older than Serena Williams was when she one her first Grand Slam title.

Who Is the Greatest Men's Player of All Time

After Roger Federer won his 17th Grand Slam title last year, he seemed to have a lock on this. 

Yet, with his recent slump and the resurgence of Rafael Nadal, the case has been reopened.

The reason? Nadal is still accumulating evidence to make a case for G.O.A.T. 

Rafa probably needs to win more U.S. Opens if he is to overtake Federer in this argument. 

Pete Sampras, Rod Laver and Bjorn Bjorg are among retired players whose names are batted about in this conversation. Anybody who wore wool and slacks during competition should be automatically eliminated. 

Should There Be More Time Between the French Open and Wimbledon?

The time between the French Open and Wimbledon is so short.

After the U.S. Open, which ends in September, we wait until January for the Australian Open.

The French Open gets underway in May. 

Then bam, Wimbledon is right in our face in June.

Should there be more time between these two Slams? 

The record number of injuries at Wimbledon this year, makes you wonder. 

Should ATP Allow Courtside Coaching?

The WTA allows for courtside coaching during tournaments.

More gentle than the ringside pep talk given to boxers, the court-side coaching is more like a chit-chat.

It's not allowed during Grand Slam tournaments.

The ATP bans it.

If the gals can have it, why not the guys?  

 

Should There Be a 5th Slam? If So, When and Where?

The huge gap between the Australian Open and the French Open leaves plenty of room for another Slam.

Some tournaments, like the Sony Open and Indian Wells, have been called the unofficial "fifth Slam".

Should there be an official fifth?

All Grand Slams are held in iconic large cities, which would make Miami ideal. 

Why not hold a Grand Slam in Asia or South America?