Top five tennis players who will make games debut at Paris Olympics 2024

Four-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will mark a significant change in the tide in men’s tennis, with the senior pros set to bid goodbye to the quadrennial event and the young guns set to get their first taste of the world’s most prestigious competition.

With the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and probably Novak Djokovic playing their final Olympics, the 2024 Paris Games will see the handing over of the baton to the rapidly growing youngsters of the game.

Women’s tennis, on the other hand, continues to surprise one and all, with each tournament throwing a new player in the mix, making it so intriguing to watch due to its unpredictability. The Paris Olympics are all set to take place at Roland-Garros, certainly giving players like Nadal and Iga Swiatek an edge due to their past dominance on clay.

Today, we will be having a close look at the top five players who have stamped their authority in every tournament they have played around the world and will now look to do the same at the 2024 Olympic Games.

5. Danielle Collins

The 2024 Paris Olympics will be Danielle Collins’ maiden and final Olympics as the American had earlier made an unexpected announcement to retire at the end of the 2024 season after this year’s Australian Open, citing her battle with endometriosis and subsequent surgeries.

As she joins a star-studded American team, Collins has often shown her ability to take down favourites and will hope to make it to the podium as she prepares to bid goodbye to the sport. Despite starting the season ranked outside the top 50, the 30-year-old has had an exceptional year, claiming titles at the Miami Open and Charleston Open and climbing steadily to reach World No. 9.

After these results, the American faced an early exit at the French Open, but displayed a decent performance at Wimbledon before going down to eventual winner, Krejcikova. After missing the last two Olympic Games, Collins will be determined to make the most of this final opportunity and turn it into a memorable experience.

4. Holger Rune

The incredibly gifted Holger Rune will be delighted to play his debut Olympic Games at the Garros, given his incredible record on clay, including an impressive 78% winning percentage at the French Open. The Dane has almost every weapon in his arsenal; he is lightning-fast on the court and his defensive skills under pressure are why the youngster is so highly-rated.

Unfortunately, with so many skills at his disposal, he hasn’t always made good use of them. With many of his counterparts winning Slams and ATP tournaments, Rune is yet to make the semi-final of even one Grand Slam.

Furthermore, his recent retirement midway through the match at the 2024 German Open is a cause for concern. The Dane will hope to overcome the disappointment quickly, as there is little doubt that, on his best day, he can be a formidable opponent for anyone.

3. Coco Gauff

At the age of 17, Coco Gauff was set to make her Olympic debut when she tested positive for COVID-19, putting an end to her Tokyo 2020 dream. Since then, she has dedicated herself to rigorous training and perseverance, which paid off when she triumphed at the 2023 US Open against Aryna Sabalenka.

Earlier this year, Gauff had an excellent overall run at the French Open, clinching the women’s doubles title and advancing to the semi-finals in the singles competition. The American will be one of the top contenders for a medal in Paris, as she looks to put the US back on the tennis podium. Apart from the women’s singles, she will also be pairing up with Jessica Pegula for doubles.

2. Jannik Sinner

The current World No. 1 was stunned by Daniil Medvedev in an intense five-setter at 2024 Wimbledon and the Italian will aim to use that as motivation to force a strong comeback at Roland-Garros. Sinner is certainly in the form of his life and will hope to make the best use of his current purple patch, in what is expected to be a three-way fight between Alcaraz, Djokovic and him for gold.

Alcaraz defeated Sinner in a thrilling five-set match in the semi-finals of the 2024 French Open that was fought down to the wire. With hopes of redemption at the world’s most prestigious event, the 2024 Australian Open champion will be determined to settle for nothing short of a gold medal at his debut Olympics.

1. Carlos Alcaraz

2024 French Open and Wimbledon winner, Carlos Alcaraz will now once again set foot in Paris to experience something he has never been a part of before: the Olympics. Just a week ago, the Spaniard defeated his nemesis, Djokovic, in straight sets in the Wimbledon final. That victory wasn’t just a win but a statement. Perhaps it’s the 21-year-old’s time to rule and shine and with the most successful men’s player not at his best, there are not many who can stop him in his current form.

Alcaraz has no obvious weaknesses, but if given a choice, he’d prefer clay. The prospect of playing his maiden Games at Roland-Garros, where he lifted the title a few months ago, is truly mouthwatering.

However, he cannot make the mistake of underestimating the Serbian, who’s renowned for his comebacks. Apart from the 37-year-old, defending champion Zverev, current No. 1 Sinner and Daniil Medvedev will ensure the 21-year-old’s path to glory is anything but easy.

The four-time Grand Slam winner will also join forces with the “King of Clay,” Rafael Nadal, in the men’s doubles. This partnership promises to make his Olympic debut an even more memorable and unforgettable experience.

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