AP Male Athlete of the Year

Webster · Dec 25, 2011

No Lionel Messi? He's just about the most dominating athlete in any sport today, coming off a year in which club was among the best in history.

Bulldog Smoltz · Dec 25, 2011

Versatile said:

Bulldog Smoltz said:

I would have voted for Djokovic. Amazing year.
Click to expand...

He didn't make a final after the U.S. Open. Yes, he had 10 wins including three majors. But Federer had 11 wins in 2004 and 2005, then 12 in 2006 and won three majors in 2004 and 2006. He never AP athlete of the year (though part of that is because Lance Armstrong won four years in a row from 2002-05).

Djokovic had a great season. Had he finished stronger, I would agree that he would have deserved it. But he struggled down the stretch, losing to Murray in the Cincinnati final, not even making the semifinals in Paris and being knocked out in the round robin in the ATP finals. I recognize that most of the voters probably had no idea Djokovic had finished weak, but I think the voters for the AP Male Athlete of the Year have made fairly clear that male tennis players are going to have a hard time being taken seriously. It's Grand Slam or nothing.

Only two male tennis players have won: Don Budge (1936, 1937) and John McEnroe (1981). Both were Americans. Budge won the Grand Slam (in the amateur era) in 1937. McEnroe and Budge in 1937 won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open while not competing in the Australian and French opens. McEnroe won 10 total titles in an era in which he played significantly fewer tournaments.
Click to expand...

Good points. I guess I'm guilty of thinking the tennis season is basically over after the U.S. Open.

Webster, Lionel Messi certainly is more than worthy. He would surely be one of the favorites for a true World Athlete of the Year.

Michael_ Gee · Dec 25, 2011

AP athlete of the year is U.S. athlete of the year most recognized by the residents of the tank towns where AP IS the news. Nothing wrong with that. It's business. But let's not argue about the right choice. For AP, the easiest choice is the right choice. And anybody who thinks they really count the votes, I have some super resort properties in Spain and Ireland you might be interested in.

NickMordo · Dec 26, 2011

Webster said:

No Lionel Messi? He's just about the most dominating athlete in any sport today, coming off a year in which club was among the best in history.
Click to expand...

And he doesn't play in the U.S., so why would the AP give him the award? Not saying Messi isn't worthy, but choosing an athlete who has plenty of exposure is part of the process (I would think).

Webster · Dec 26, 2011

He had a better year than Djokovic. I realize he doesn't play in the US and therefore probably wouldn't win. But I bet his match against Man United got better ratings in the US than any two of Djokovic's matches.

Log in or Sign up

AP Male Athlete of the Year

Webster Well-Known Member

Bulldog Smoltz Member

Michael_ Gee Well-Known Member

NickMordo Active Member

Webster Well-Known Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

AP Male Athlete of the Year

Webster Well-Known Member

Bulldog Smoltz Member

Michael_ Gee Well-Known Member

NickMordo Active Member

Webster Well-Known Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches