Djokovic, Roddick, and Others Call for Changing Olympics Singles Policy

Written by Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Sunday, July 28, 2024
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty

For many athletes, the opportunity to represent their country at a world championship in the Olympics is a reward in itself. However, this year's Summer Games in Paris are facing criticism from the Tennis Association for its policy of changing players at the last minute.

This includes players with very low or no current singles.

MORE: Nadal Sets Up 60-Year Clash With Djokovic At Olympics

That was the case with the top seed Novak Djokovic Serbia easily beat Australia Matt Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in 53 minutes in his opening match on Saturday. Ebden, currently unranked in singles, however once the world No. 1 doubles player was included in the singles draw as a last-minute replacement.

Ebden was already in the men's doubles event. Although Ebden, once ranked No. 39 in singles, tried his best, he was no match for Djokovic.

Due to late withdrawals, 3 players OUTSIDE the ATP singles rankings have entered #Olympics singles draw #Paris2024

Matt Ebden Australia, defeated by Djokovic
Francisco Cabral in Portugal
Petros Tsitsipas Greece

Don't think this is a type of installation #Olympics had to… pic.twitter.com/bCU7c2nEbX

— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) July 28, 2024

After that, Djokovic still understood the situation, he said later that he didn't think it was a good look for this event to have such a balance.

“There were many individual players who had a lot of time, there were exchanges, who were not told to come,” said Djokovic. “So I don't get this part and I hope that the ITF and the Olympics will consider changing this rule because it is difficult for Matthew. He told me that it has been two years (since) he played an official game and he said that this was his last singles game, he has officially retired.

Carlos Alcaraz faced a similar situation there, Habib Habibrepresenting Lebanon, was called up to face the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champions in the first round.

Although Habib is currently ranked World No. 275 in singles, it was another way to win for Alcaraz 6-3, 6-1. Habib was drawn while in Poland Hubert Hurkacz withdrew from the Olympics due to a knee injury at Wimbledon.

R2 🔜@carlosalcaraz to advance to the second round of #Paris2024 as he beat Hady Habib 6-3 6-1 🔥#Olympics | #tennis pic.twitter.com/3f3lE4Hcei

— ITF (@ITTFennis) July 27, 2024

And because of injuries, both Alex de Minaur Australian and Cameron Norrie of Australia withdrew before the opening rounds. They were replaced by the Portuguese Francisco Cabral and that of Greece Petros Tsitsipasboth of them are already in the party of two men.

Last-minute substitutions at the men's singles event with little to no singles experience or no top 100 rankings have frustrated many tennis players and fans.

Former World No.1 Andy Roddick took to social media to complain about the situation and offered solutions.

Another single Olympics situation is funny. Players who can't even/can't play one at a high level getting a call is dumb

— andyroddick (@andyroddick) July 28, 2024

Allow local exchanges for individuals

— andyroddick (@andyroddick) July 28, 2024

The issue is a conundrum for Olympic officials to resolve as they try to combine the qualifications with regular travel planning.

According to Christopher Clarey, writing for the ITF Tennis website, officials had to look at the cut-off date of July 19 for bringing new players to the event. In this case, if Hurkacz had withdrawn before July 19, the player with the highest singles ranking would have been added to the event.

“We are part of a very big campaign here,” said Alex Hughes, senior director of major events at the International Tennis Federation. “There is nothing like it in sports, so in terms of performance, we are not as fast as in a regular tennis tournament. We can't just take turns and change things the way we want.”

Hughes added that the Olympic committee must negotiate with national organizations and athletes on a day that is convenient for everyone. That is why the July 19 cutoff date was chosen.

For Habib, he was entered into the event with a universal place, essentially a wildcard place for athletes from unrepresented National Olympic Committees.

Ultimately, many top athletes, for a variety of reasons, choose not to compete in the Olympics at all. Some because of planning, some because of injuries, and some because they didn't want to change places too quickly from the grass of Wimbledon, to the walls of Paris, and then to the hard courts for the next North American swing.

Although the women's singles event faced similar last-minute withdrawals, players with confirmed singles credentials were able to be added.

They combine Katerina Siniakova, Daria Saville, again This is the Sun who are already in the party of two women.

Djokovic is about to face off Rafael Nadal in his second round of the 60th career meeting between two all-time greats.

Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty