Would you rather be slamless top 5 singles player, or a 15 time doubles grand slam champion inducted into the tennis hall of fame?

The doubles tour, despite its record low viewership, is quite the thrill to watch at all levels. Whether it be an ATP or  WTA level,  or at grand slams and Davis Cup matches, doubles matches, when watched in person, can be one of the most exhilarating experiences if the teams are evenly matched. However,  on the ATP and WTA side, doubles matches rarely ever get any coverage.

Over the years, a number of unbelievable champions have graced tennis in the doubles circuit. Names such as the Bryan Brothers, Todd Woodbridge and Martina Navratilova. The debate surrounding the greatest of all time is very rarely brought up when it comes to doubles. A player such as Todd Woodbridge is fairly unknown in the sporting community, despite being almost Australia’s most successful tennis player over the past 30 years. Having won 16 grand slams, including winning Wimbledon 9 times, this unsung hero of Australian tennis rarely gets the recognition he deserves. However, the International Tennis Hall of Fame thought otherwise, inducting Woodbridge in 2010 into the Tennis Hall of Fame, an exclusive club alongside Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, and the many multiple grand slam champions which came before them.

However, there is a question as to whether legacy plays a part in a tennis players deepest goals in their career. Often in other majors sports, ex-players speak glowingly of a hall of fame induction. Many players in sports such as basketball and football, have claimed that being recognised by their peers as one of the greatest to ever play the sport, was the greatest achievement of their professional careers.

Induction in the hall of fame often opens up opportunities for players post-sport , which would never have been available if they were not remembered in the sport anymore. It is this idea that a player is remembered for generations to come, and not just be faded into obscurity, which brings the greatest appeal.

So the question remains: would you rather be a top 5 ranked singles player, and completely fade into obscurity amongst every other player who has ranked 5th in the world, or be a hall of fame inductee, multiple time grand slam champion in doubles?