Olympic Games Preview

2024 Olympic Tennis Games: Who will succeed Zverev and Bencic?

The Olympic Games in Paris are about to begin, and that means tennis at the Olympics is also about to kick off. From July 27th to August 3rd, the world's best tennis players will compete for the coveted gold medal. During the previous Olympic Games, in Tokyo 2021, Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic won gold. Bencic is unable to defend her title due to pregnancy, but Zverev will undoubtedly do everything in her power to repeat the feat. However, there are all sorts of contenders who also want to stand on the highest step of the Olympic podium. Where will tennis be played at the 2024 Olympic Games? Who are the favorites for the Paris Olympics, and who will the Dutch team face? Sjeng Sports has the full breakdown for you!

Where is tennis played at the Olympic Games?

With the Olympic Games being held in Paris this year, there can only be one venue for the 2024 Olympic Games: Roland Garros. The world's elite tennis players will soon be returning to the venue where Carlos Alcaraz won Roland Garros for the first time less than two months ago. However, the stadiums will look quite different from what you're used to at Roland Garros. For example, you won't see any advertising or sponsors, and the colors will be different. Fun fact: during the Paris Olympics, boxing will also be held in the Roland Garros stadiums!

Withdrawals from Sinner, Rublev and Sabalenka, among others

While it's self-evident that the world's best tennis players will be competing for medals at the 2024 Olympic Games, several big names have been forced to withdraw in recent weeks. For example, Jannik Sinner, the world number one, is ill, and Holger Rune has withdrawn due to a wrist injury. Other big names like Andrey Rublev and Hubert Hurkacz are also absent, while the women's tournament has also seen a number of withdrawals from top players. We previously reported that Bencic was unable to defend her title due to pregnancy. Other withdrawals include those from Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur, and Marketa Vondrousova (who won the silver medal in Tokyo).

Spicy clash possible in the second round

So, are there any favorites left for the title? Absolutely! In the men's tournament, players like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev are "as usual" in the competition, and Rafael Nadal is also there. Interestingly, the draw has shown that if both Djokovic and Nadal win their first-round matches, the Serb and Spaniard will face each other directly. Djokovic has never won gold in tennis at the Olympic Games, while Nadal won his first—and only—gold medal in 2008. Another outsider for the title is Casper Ruud. This clay-court specialist has reached the final in Paris twice in the past three editions and has already proven his prowess on the French clay. Other contenders for medals include names like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alex de Minaur, and Taylor Fritz.

In the women's tournament, especially with the withdrawals of Sabalenka and Rybakina, Iga Swiatek is the big favorite for gold. Swiatek convincingly won Roland Garros a few weeks ago and once again demonstrated her superiority on clay. Others hoping to snatch gold from her hands are Coco Gauff and the diminutive Italian Jasmine Paolini, who reached the final at Roland Garros. Paolini's subsequent Wimbledon final also demonstrated her ability to maintain her excellent form.

Who are the Dutch up against?

In a pleasant surprise shortly before the start of the tournament, there will be not two, but three Dutch tennis players in the main draw of the Paris Olympic Games. Due to several withdrawals from other players, a spot opened up, which will now be filled by Robin Haase. He will face Sebastian Ofner in the first round and could face Medvedev if he manages to beat the Austrian. Tallon Griekspoor, our other compatriot in the men's main draw, may have been even less fortunate with the draw. He has been drawn against Cameron Norrie in the first round, and if he manages to beat him, Alcaraz will be his next opponent. In the women's tournament, Arantxa Rus is the only Dutch player. She will play her first round match against Anhelina Kalinina.

Dutch participants in tennis at the 2024 Olympic Games

Men's singles: Tallon Griekspoor, Robin Haase
Women's singles: Arantxa Rus
Men's doubles: Jean-Juliën Rojer & Robin Haase, Tallon Griekspoor & Wesley Koolhof
Women's doubles: Arantxa Rus & Demi Schuurs
Mixed doubles: Wesley Koolhof & Demi Schuurs

FAQ

When are the Olympic Games in Paris?

The Olympic Games in Paris will take place from Friday, July 26, 2024, to Sunday, August 11, 2024. Tennis at the Olympic Games will be played from Saturday, July 27, to Saturday, August 3.

Since when is tennis an Olympic sport?

Tennis was played from the first Olympic Games in 1896 through the 1924 Games. Tennis was subsequently excluded from the Olympic Games for many years, but was fully reinstated in 1988.