--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tennis is not really a traditional…" description: "\"Tennis is not really a traditional Olympic sport.\" — John Isner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/john-isner-4856_olympic_tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olymp_1774499.jpg" --- # Tennis is not really a traditional Olympic sport. ![“Tennis is not really a traditional Olympic sport.” quote by John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/john-isner-4856_olympic_tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olymp_1774499.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/john-isner-4856_olympic_tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olymp_1774499.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/john-isner-4856_olympic_tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olymp_1774499.jpg) > “Tennis is not really a traditional Olympic sport.” [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Tennis, while featured in the Olympics, lacks the deep historical roots and global tradition of many other Olympic sports. **In simple terms:** Tennis isn’t a traditional Olympic sport. Key Takeaway Recognize tennis’s modern Olympic status. Themes sports tradition history Mood analytical neutral Type commentary observation When to use this quote - sport commentary - media analysis - athlete interviews - policy discussions Key Concepts Olympic evolution sport legitimacy global perception Questions to Reflect On - How does tradition affect a sport’s Olympic value? - Should new sports be embraced? A Different Perspective Traditionalists may undervalue modern sports. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Olympic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympic/) [Olympic Sport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympic-sport-789734/) [Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really/) [Sport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sport/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis/) [Tennis Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis-really-815517/) [Traditional Olympic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditional-olympic-1808241/) ## Related quotes > [Gymnastics is my favorite Olympic sport, hands-down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-victor-dixon/gymnastics-is-my-favorite-olympic-sport-hands-down/) [Brandon Victor Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-victor-dixon/) > [I think we've got every chance of being an Olympic sport and, if they did put us in, I know they'd sell a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/i-think-we-ve-got-every-chance-of-being-an-olympic-sport-and-if-they/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [My overwhelming concern will always be the well-being of the athletes. In Olympic sport, it is rare for competitors not to devote half their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-coe/my-overwhelming-concern-will-always-be-the-well-being-of-the-athletes/) [Sebastian Coe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-coe/) > [If being a douche was an Olympic sport, I know some people that would have a gold medal!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-being-a-douche-was-an-olympic-sport-i-know-some-people-that-would/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If someone told me a couple years ago, 'You're going to be deep into show jumping with horses,' I would be like, I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivica-zubac/if-someone-told-me-a-couple-years-ago-you-re-going-to-be-deep-into/) [Ivica Zubac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivica-zubac/) > [No one likes a show-off, but if parallel parking was an Olympic sport, I would get gold, no probs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-hart/no-one-likes-a-show-off-but-if-parallel-parking-was-an-olympic-sport/) [Miranda Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-hart/) > [On snowboarding as an Olympic sport: Since I was 6 years old I've been in the mix and watching this grow and change. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-white/on-snowboarding-as-an-olympic-sport-since-i-was-6-years-old-i-ve-been/) [Shaun White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-white/) > [To compare Olympic sport with cricket would not be fair. Years back, cricket was a sport only for the classes, and we will also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gagan-narang/to-compare-olympic-sport-with-cricket-would-not-be-fair-years-back/) [Gagan Narang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gagan-narang/) > [For someone watching, it's amazing to see five hours of great tennis. But I'm not really jealous to stay there for five hours as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aryna-sabalenka/for-someone-watching-it-s-amazing-to-see-five-hours-of-great-tennis/) [Aryna Sabalenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aryna-sabalenka/) > [The more time you spend on tour, around the top guys especially, you see what they do, the work, the preparation, the organization they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-sock/the-more-time-you-spend-on-tour-around-the-top-guys-especially-you/) [Jack Sock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-sock/) > [I think climbing deserves to be an Olympic sport, as it is one of the few natural movements - like swimming or running, things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ondra/i-think-climbing-deserves-to-be-an-olympic-sport-as-it-is-one-of-the/) [Adam Ondra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ondra/) > [“If judging people on first impressions were an Olympic sport, they'd suspect me of using steroids.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/if-judging-people-on-first-impressions-were-an-olympic-sport-they-d/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) > [Me, I'm a rising star for American tennis. I'm really proud to represent my country and hopefully I can keep going higher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-kenin/me-i-m-a-rising-star-for-american-tennis-i-m-really-proud-to/) [Sofia Kenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-kenin/) > [Walking in high heels should be made an Olympic sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-pond/walking-in-high-heels-should-be-made-an-olympic-sport/) [Mimi Pond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-pond/) > [Any Olympic sport is great to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/any-olympic-sport-is-great-to-watch/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) ## More by John Isner > [You know, Slams are tough. It's the most physical, in my opinion. You're playing three out of five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/you-know-slams-are-tough-it-s-the-most-physical-in-my-opinion-you-re/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [There are a lot of things that go on between the lines of a tennis court, mentally, physically and whatnot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/there-are-a-lot-of-things-that-go-on-between-the-lines-of-a-tennis/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [For many years, tennis was the most important thing in my life. That was great. Nothing wrong with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/for-many-years-tennis-was-the-most-important-thing-in-my-life-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [The best thing about being 6'9'' is that it helps with my tennis game, especially with my serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/the-best-thing-about-being-6-9-is-that-it-helps-with-my-tennis-game/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [My favorite tournament is the U.S. Open because the atmosphere is great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/my-favorite-tournament-is-the-u-s-open-because-the-atmosphere-is-great/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [Any time you get to come to New York and be near New York City, that is a very cool opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/any-time-you-get-to-come-to-new-york-and-be-near-new-york-city-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I know where I'm ranked, but I don't look at it that much, I don't study it that much. You really can't look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-know-where-i-m-ranked-but-i-don-t-look-at-it-that-much-i-don-t/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I always ask for the exit row when flying. Airlines are pretty accommodating and most of the time I'll get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-always-ask-for-the-exit-row-when-flying-airlines-are-pretty/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [You're going to lose points and gain points throughout the year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/you-re-going-to-lose-points-and-gain-points-throughout-the-year/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [People seem to think when you lose a match it's because you are not working hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/people-seem-to-think-when-you-lose-a-match-it-s-because-you-are-not/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [A lot of times when I'm confident and relaxed on the court, I'm going to be a pretty tough out. But when I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/a-lot-of-times-when-i-m-confident-and-relaxed-on-the-court-i-m-going/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [When I fly overseas, I usually fly business class. If not, my knees are going to be at my chin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/when-i-fly-overseas-i-usually-fly-business-class-if-not-my-knees-are/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I was always a late bloomer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-was-always-a-late-bloomer/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I can't beat guys consistently playing like I'm 5-foot-10.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-can-t-beat-guys-consistently-playing-like-i-m-5-foot-10/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [The good wins are still great, and you are on cloud nine when that happens, but the losses sting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/the-good-wins-are-still-great-and-you-are-on-cloud-nine-when-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) [Explore all 105 John Isner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) ## More Olympic quotes > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [Anyone who's been the Olympic trials before is a veteran.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-aaron/anyone-who-s-been-the-olympic-trials-before-is-a-veteran/) [Max Aaron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-aaron/) > [Most people should be given a chance to compete in the Olympic Games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/most-people-should-be-given-a-chance-to-compete-in-the-olympic-games/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [Career-wise, I was not the most naturally talented ice skater. Of course I had a knack for it , but practice was always the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-lipinski/career-wise-i-was-not-the-most-naturally-talented-ice-skater-of/) [Tara Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-lipinski/) > [There was a time where I was on top of the world, an Olympic hopeful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katelyn-ohashi/there-was-a-time-where-i-was-on-top-of-the-world-an-olympic-hopeful/) [Katelyn Ohashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katelyn-ohashi/) > [I mean, does anyone seriously think there are no drugs in Olympic sports just because they do some kind of testing? They are highly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/i-mean-does-anyone-seriously-think-there-are-no-drugs-in-olympic/) [Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/) > [The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-de-coubertin/the-most-important-thing-in-the-olympic-games-is-not-winning-but/) [Pierre de Coubertin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-de-coubertin/) > [Don't ever in your life do a World Cup and the Olympic Games at the same time. This will make your life almost impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-paes/don-t-ever-in-your-life-do-a-world-cup-and-the-olympic-games-at-the/) [Eduardo Paes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-paes/) > [If I would have won that Olympic gold medal, I would have gotten a job somewhere coaching at a university, and I would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-cormier/if-i-would-have-won-that-olympic-gold-medal-i-would-have-gotten-a-job/) [Daniel Cormier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-cormier/) > [I wanted to be the best street fighter in Houston, Texas. And I thought if I got a trophy or two, I'd go back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-foreman/i-wanted-to-be-the-best-street-fighter-in-houston-texas-and-i-thought/) [George Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-foreman/) > [If I were to compare the Olympic decathlon to fatherhood, I would say fatherhood is a lot tougher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/if-i-were-to-compare-the-olympic-decathlon-to-fatherhood-i-would-say/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [“If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people are unwilling to do. —Michael Phelps, winner of 17…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-minervini/if-you-want-to-be-the-best-you-have-to-do-things-that-other-people/) [Mark Minervini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-minervini/) > [I love wushu a lot and I would love to see it included in future Olympic Games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/i-love-wushu-a-lot-and-i-would-love-to-see-it-included-in-future/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [People are saying I hold and spoil, but you don't get to win Olympic gold without a bit of power and ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-degale/people-are-saying-i-hold-and-spoil-but-you-don-t-get-to-win-olympic/) [James DeGale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-degale/) > [The opportunity to represent my country at the Olympic Games is one of the greatest honors I've experienced in my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/the-opportunity-to-represent-my-country-at-the-olympic-games-is-one/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) [Browse all 541 Olympic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Tennis is not really a traditional Olympic sport.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Isner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olympic-sport/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Olympic" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olympic-sport/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/john-isner-4856_olympic_tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olymp_1774499.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/john-isner-4856_olympic_tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olymp_1774499.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/john-isner-4856_olympic_tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olymp_1774499.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Tennis is not really a traditional Olympic sport.” — John Isner", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Isner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Tennis is not really a traditional...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olympic-sport/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/tennis-is-not-really-a-traditional-olympic-sport/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```