It is the sole pinnacle of human athletic competition. Unlike tennis, there is no other Olympic event around the corner. There is no other surface to try your luck on in a few months, or even the next year. For the Olympian, it is an all or nothing proposition. And so it should be.
Olympians have one commitment, their training.
They are paid nothing except room and board and perhaps a stipend for spending. The only opportunity for major bucks is a gold medal and the many commercial endorsements that MAY follow. Conversely, tennis players complete weekly in international events and are paid big bucks for it, weekly. They have four major championships a year in addition to the annual Davis Cup competition, the premiere international event of the sport. Simply put, the Olympics should remain focused on the basics of athleticism, strength, power, agility, finesse.