Should have Wall Of Famed it!!!!!!!!!!
Just thinking of brazenly and shamelessly modelling your style on the GOAT of your sport damages you - irreparably - mentally and physically.
To actually carry it out on the world stage invites perpetual guilt and stigma - just from within - forget what others on the 'outside' are saying and thinking.
Granted you want to shorten the learning curve but this is ONE line you don't cross - even if it guarantees immortality - statistically.
I mean, wouldn't you be chastised endlessly IF you do become the GOAT - for obvious freaking reasons?
How about if you don't even come close to the GOAT pedestal?
That's like cheating at your exam and still 'failing'.
Isn't it far more rewarding and satisfying to be yourself and let the chips fall wherever they do instead of 'cheating' with a guaranteed 'fail' outcome - with GOAT status - forget anything even slightly less?
There is a certain honor and dignity in 'paying' the price - regardless of degree of success - as opposed to 'winning' after compromising basic human principles - blatantly.
Heck, Graf is chastised just for the 'Seles' factor. Federer for the 'Nadal' factor.
And both involve severe abuse and suffering. And they are not even close to the 'modelling' beast.
Point?
There are enough factors already in play to malign you EVEN if you follow the rules. Why add a known one - from the get go - to compromise your psyche and physique - eternally - with no guarantee of success?
Could Kobe have gotten a higher rating for top NBA players of all time if he wasn't 'like' Jordan? It's possible.
With respect to Dimitrov, given his success and attitude, is it safe to say he is here largely for the 'lifestyle' and girls? It's possible.
Bottom line:
Honor trumps everything - in the long run.