Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Iga Swiatek are some of the top players headlining the 2024 Paris Olympics. The International Tennis Federeration (ITF) released the official entry list on July 4 with 64 players competing in singles and 32 national teams competing in the doubles format of the game. The list of 16 mixed doubles entries will be released on July 23.
Players looking to recreate their last year’s winning runs include defending singles Olympic champion Alexander Zverev and defending women doubles Olympic champion Barbora Krjecikova – Katrina Siniakova.
Let’s take a look at three players who will take their final shot at the coveted gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
#1 Rafael Nadal
The 14-time French Open champion will step on the courts of Roland Garros in the hopes of winning a medal for his home country of Spain. Nadal prioritized the event by not breaking for grass after the French Open and withdrawing from this year’s Wimbledon.
The Spaniard has previously won a singles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a doubles gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics with compatriot Marc Lopez.
This year, the 22-time Grand Slam champion will compete in singles and team up with Carlos Alcaraz in doubles in a bid for gold. Nadal is currently competing in both singles and doubles at the 2024 Nordea Open in Bastad.
#2 Andy Murray
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be Andy Murray’s last bow at the Games. The Scotsman won his first Olympic gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics held at Wimbledon and successfully defended it in the next edition of the Games at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
He is the only singles player to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals. This year, he will be one of four players alongside Lu Yen-hsun, Venus Williams, and Samantha Stosur to compete in singles at five Olympic Games.
2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Andy Murray(center) silver medalist Juan Martin Del Potro(left) and bronze medalist Kei Nishikori(right)
2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Andy Murray(center) silver medalist Juan Martin Del Potro(left) and bronze medalist Kei Nishikori(right)
Murray was last seen on the grasscourts at Wimbledon. Making his mark alongside his legendary rivals Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, the three-time Grand Slam champion was given an emotional farewell as he bid adieu to fans in his final appearance at the grass Major.
#3 Danielle Collins
Danielle Collins made a surprise announcement to retire at the end of the 2024 season after this year’s Australian Open. The American has been diagnosed with endometriosis and has been through surgeries due to the condition.
Thus, this year will mark Collins’ first and final appearance at the Olympics. Ranked outside the Top 50 in the beginning of the season, Collins is having a stellar run. She has the Miami Open and Charleston Open titles to her name and qualified for the Olympics. She has climbed steadily and is currently ranked World No. 9.
Danielle Collins with be joined by Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Emma Navarro on the women’s singles side to keep the US flag flying at the Paris Olympics. Other top players in the American lineup include Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Christopher Eubanks, and Marcos Giron.
Collins last made a Round of 16 run at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships where she lost to the eventual winner Barbora Krejcikova.