The tennis tournaments at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are set to captivate audiences from July 27 to August 4 at the iconic Stade Roland Garros. This event marks a historic return of Olympic tennis to clay courts, last seen in Barcelona in 1992.
The tournament will feature 172 elite players from around the globe, competing across five medal events: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
The Tournament Format:
The competition will follow a single-elimination format, just like previous editions. The men's and women's singles will each have 64 players battling it out across six intense rounds. The doubles draws will consist of 32 teams each, requiring five rounds to determine the champions, while the mixed doubles will feature 16 pairs over four rounds. Every match promises high drama, with singles matches being best-of-three sets and a standard tiebreak in each set. In doubles, a match tiebreak will replace the third set, adding an extra layer of excitement.
Historic Moments:
The 2024 Olympics will be unforgettable for tennis fans. For the first time since the 2012 London Olympics, tennis will be played at a Grand Slam venue, adding prestige and a unique challenge for the athletes. Novak Djokovic's historic victory in the men's singles will be one of the tournament's highlights. Djokovic, playing in his fifth Olympics, secured his first Olympic gold, defeating French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz. This victory crowned him as one of only five players in history to achieve a career Golden Slam—a monumental achievement for any tennis player.
In the women's singles, Zheng Qinwen made history by becoming the first Asian player to win Olympic singles gold. Her journey to the top was marked by an incredible victory over world #1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, ending the four-time French Open champion's 25-match winning streak at Roland Garros.
The men's doubles title was claimed by Australians Matthew Ebden and John Peers, the first Australian duo to win since the legendary "Woodies" in 1996. In the women's doubles, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini triumphed, while Kateřina Siniaková and Tomáš Macháč took home the mixed doubles gold.
Final Bow:
The 2024 Olympics will also be remembered as the final professional event for tennis legend Andy Murray. Murray, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and three-time Grand Slam champion bid farewell to the sport with a legacy that will inspire future generations.
Qualification and Participation:
To qualify for Paris 2024, players must meet specific criteria, including participation in the Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup. The singles tournaments will primarily be filled through ATP and WTA rankings, with the top 56 players earning their spots. Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) can enter up to four players in singles. Additional spots will be awarded based on continental representation, the host nation's eligibility, and previous Olympic or Grand Slam champions. Doubles entries will also be determined by rankings, with 32 spots available for the highest-ranked teams.
Olympic Spirit:
For all our Lykkers tennis fans, the 2024 Olympics will be a celebration of skill, resilience, and unforgettable moments on the court. Whether it's witnessing a new champion rise or watching a legend's final match, the Paris 2024 tennis tournaments are set to deliver unforgettable memories for all.
