Tennis proved it belongs at the Olympic Games – but here’s 3 ways to make it even better
Tennis belongs at the Olympic Games – Paris 2024 proved it.
A fantastic tournament delivered some moments players and fans will never forget, making it a season highlight.
An emotional triumph for Novak Djokovic and a historic win for Zheng Qinwen signalled the importance of the Games to tennis – as did the evident disappointment of Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz after missing out on gold.
Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber – two legends of the sport – choosing to retire at the tournament is another indicator of the value of the Olympics and the esteem most players hold it in.
But, it is not perfect – and we look at three changes that would make tennis even bigger and better.
Change the alternate system
The tournament ended strongly, with two hugely memorable singles champions leading the way – but there is no denying the start to the event was fraught.
That was largely due to a spate of withdrawals leaving the tournament in chaos, with few appropriate withdrawals available.
Jannik Sinner, Elena Rybakina, Holger Rune, and Hubert Hurkacz all pulled out with illness or injury – and there were not enough singles players to replace them, with doubles players having to step in.
This was one flaw of the event, and the rules should change.
More alternates – who would love to play at the Olympics – should be allowed on-site, and able to step in should there be an exodus similar to this one.
Olympic Games News
Expand the mixed doubles draw
Mixed doubles is always great value at Grand Slams, the United Cup – and the Olympic Games.
The gold medal match between Czechia’s Tomas Machac and Katerina Siniakova and China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu was among the best of the programme, finishing 10-8 in the deciding tiebreak.
Strong singles players such as Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, and Felix Auger-Aliassime also entering show its importance at the Games – but the event wasn’t big enough.
A 16-team draw feels too small, with pairings having to win just two matches to reach the medal matches.
A 32-team draw would make it feel more like a proper competition, and allow more teams from more countries to get involved.
Bring back ranking points
Qinwen, Djokovic, and co do have medals to show for their exploits – but arguably they should have more.
The Olympic Games used to offer ranking points for players, and it seems strange that a decision to reverse that call was made.
Allowing ranking points would reward those who go deep into the draw, and provide another tangible benefit for players who decide to compete.