The Oddball Combination of Tennis and the Olympics
As the Paris Games in 2024 approach, the odd combination of tennis and the Olympics raises eyebrows once again. After the conclusion of the prestigious Roland Garros tournament, tennis players find themselves back on the red clay courts just a month later. This timing is unusual, as they would typically be starting their hard court swing through North America.
In the past, transitioning from Wimbledon to the Olympics was a breeze for players. They simply moved across town from Wimbledon to the Olympic Village and commuted to the All England Club for another tournament. However, since then, various challenges have arisen. In 2016, the main concern was the risk of contracting the Zika virus in South America. In 2021, players had to navigate COVID restrictions, testing protocols, and empty stadiums in Tokyo’s scorching climate.
For players like Iga Swiatek, the transition from clay to grass and back to clay is a dream come true. As a clay-court specialist, she dominates at Roland Garros and has won four of the past five French Open titles. But for most others, the transition is complicated.
Many top players, including Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Sebastian Korda, have chosen to skip the Olympics due to the demanding schedule and the need to prepare for the crucial U.S. Open. Tiafoe, a basketball enthusiast, is enticed by the opportunity to see LeBron James and Stephen Curry play together at the Olympics. However, he remains confident that he will make the team for the Summer Games in Los Angeles in four years.
Other notable absences include Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur, who have cited concerns about injuries and the drastic change in playing surfaces. Jabeur, who has been struggling with a knee injury all year, acknowledges that it will be a tough challenge for those competing in both the Olympics and the hard-court season.
While some players choose to skip the Olympics, their absence opens up opportunities for others. Chris Eubanks, who was sixth on the list of U.S. players eligible for a spot in singles, eagerly accepted the chance to play in a team event and experience the spirit of the Games. Despite clay being his worst surface, Eubanks is determined to make the most of this unique opportunity.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) boasts that 22 out of the top 30 men and women have committed to participating in the Olympics. Notable players like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are expected to compete, with Djokovic aiming to secure his first Olympic gold medal. His energetic presence at the Tokyo Games, where he interacted with fellow athletes and fans, made him a popular figure.
Despite featuring some of the sport’s biggest stars, tennis at the Olympics doesn’t hold the same prestige as winning a Grand Slam title. However, ITF President Dave Haggerty believes that tennis’s inclusion in the Olympics since 1988 has contributed to its growth. Participation has more than doubled, and the number of countries with tennis federations has increased significantly.
The Olympic tennis tournament offers a different audience for the sport and provides players with a chance to compete for a medal without the pressure of earning rankings points or prize money. The allure lies in the spectacle of the Games and the opportunity to interact with athletes from various sports in the Olympic Village.
Organizers plan to distinguish the Olympic tournament from the French Open by incorporating unique elements and covering up certain sponsor logos. While some players, like Denis Shapovalov, have chosen to skip the Games due to the lack of rankings points, others, such as Coco Gauff and Daniil Medvedev, are excited about the chance to represent their countries and engage with athletes from different disciplines.
Ultimately, tennis at the Olympics remains an oddball event, with the gold medal not carrying the same weight as a Grand Slam title. However, for many players, the opportunity to compete on a global stage and immerse themselves in the Olympic experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.