Since its inauguration in 1896, the Olympic Games has earned its reputation of being known as the greatest sporting event on earth.
Held every four years, thousands of athletes congregate as they chase after the dream of winning a medal for their country. Tennis was one of the first sports to feature in the first Games in Athens and did so for every edition until 1924 when a dispute occurred. The International Lawn Tennis Federation and the International Olympic Committee couldn’t reach an agreement on how to define an amateur player. The sport made a full return in 1988 and has remained a part of the program ever since.
This year’s Paris Olympics features the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Each of them, as well as many of their peers, have previously spoken about how much the event means to them. However, some of the rules currently in place are raising eyebrows.
Australia’s Matthew Ebden was awarded a place in the main draw as an alternate following the withdrawal of Holger Rune due to injury. He is one of the world’s best doubles players but the last time he played a singles match at Tour-level was almost two years ago in August 2022. Ebden’s first opponent was Djokovic who thrashed him 6-0, 6-1.
Ebden isn’t the only person to gain entry as an alternate despite a lack of singles wins in recent months. Petros Tsitsipas is playing in the main draw following the withdrawal of Cameron Norrie. The Greek has never won a main draw match on both the ATP Tour and Challenger Tour. He is currently unranked and has never broken the top 500. Although he is an accomplished player in doubles.
So why are these players being given main draw spots instead of those who are more accomplished?
“We’d love to have last-minute replacements, but in the grand scheme of things, with 10,500 athletes and 206 National Olympic Committees (at the Games), it’s logistically extremely difficult and there has to be a cutoff point for off-site replacement at some point,” the ITF’s Heather Bowler told The Associated Press. “Any change would need to be discussed with the Tours” that run women’s and men’s professional tennis.”
Yet a solution to this issue doesn’t have to be anything extraordinary. It is more of a common sense approach. Why can’t the sport have a reserve team of players prepared to fill in the spots if needed? These players can enter via ranking or performances on the Tour. Furthermore, there are the junior players who could be given a place if they are No.1 in the standings at the time of the cutoff.
“I really don’t understand the rules, they’re really not logical for me. I don’t think it’s a good image for the sport, to be honest,” 22-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic commented.
“There were a lot of singles players that had plenty of time, that were alternates, that could have been called to come. Ireally hope the ITF (International Tennis Federation) along with the Olympics will consider changing this rule.”
World’s No.2 Carlos Alcaraz was another figure to question the rules.
“I think it should be different, because if the next single player decides to be here, if someone withdraws from the tournament, the rules are the rules, we have to follow it,” he said.
“But it’s a shame that (Matteo) Berrettini couldn’t play here.”
In one way tennis is at a disadvantage when compared to other sports such as athletics which structures their calendar around the Olympics. The ITF is organising the event whilst the ATP and WTA are staging tournaments during the same week. This will be less of an issue in 2028 when the games are in Los Angeles and will take place before the North American hardcourt swing.
Due to the different governing bodies operating in the sport, ranking points are currently not awarded which is somewhat questionable. Points have been awarded in the past. Should they bring points back, it would give players a greater incentive to play and attract an even stronger field. Some players have understandably chosen not to play due to concerns about their ranking. Others chose not to do so due to the playing surface.
“I do think the Olympics should have ranking points because it’s usually the best players in the world playing,” Caroline Wozniacki said earlier this year.
“It’s such a huge event and something that means a lot too. It’s special to me personally as well.
“I think ranking points should be awarded to the Olympics. There are tournaments that are going parallel with the Olympics that have ranking points, so there’s no reason why the Olympics shouldn’t have it when they have the top players in the world playing.”
Tennis is without a doubt a key Olympic sport with many players being involved in the event over the years. During Paris’ opening ceremony, Nadal, Serena Williams and Amélie Mauresmo took part in the torch relay. Three years earlier in Tokyo, Naomi Osaka was chosen to light the cauldron.
The only issue appears to be the rules in place that bring into question its credibility. Let’s hope tennis bosses work together and solve this before the next Games.
