The upcoming Paris Olympics may witness the potential retirement of two tennis icons, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, as both players are contemplating making it their final major competition. Nadal, who has described the Paris Olympics as “one of the significant competitions I would like to attend,” could potentially conclude his illustrious career at the site of the French Open, a tournament that has shaped his legacy in the sport. Opting to skip Wimbledon to focus on the Paris Games, Nadal intends to partner with Carlos Alcaraz in doubles, with the goal of adding to his gold medals won at Beijing in 2008 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Similarly, Andy Murray of Great Britain, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has also indicated that the Olympics will mark his farewell to the sport. The 37-year-old, who holds two singles golds from London in 2012 and Rio four years later, has been plagued by injuries, including undergoing hip replacement surgery in 2019. Nonetheless, Murray’s determination to compete in the Olympics showcases his resilience and passion for the game.
While the possibility of Nadal and Murray bidding farewell at the Paris Olympics adds an emotional dimension to the competition, other tennis stars, including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff, will be vying for their first Olympic gold medals. Djokovic, who boasts an impressive resume with 24 Grand Slam trophies and multiple appearances as the world’s top-ranked player, is eager to fill the one gap in his illustrious career—the Olympic gold.
On the women’s side, Swiatek, a dominant force at the French Open, and the young American talent, Coco Gauff, are also set to make their mark at the Olympics. Gauff, who missed out on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 due to testing positive for COVID-19, is looking forward to embracing her first Olympic experience, focusing on enjoying the moment.
However, not every top tennis player will be competing at the Paris Olympics, including some high-ranked athletes who have chosen to skip the event in favor of focusing on other competitions, such as the U.S. Open. Among them are Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, and American players Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. For these athletes, prioritising their preparation for the upcoming U.S. Open takes precedence over participating in the Summer Games.
As tennis enthusiasts await the highly anticipated Paris Olympics, the potential final appearance of legends like Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray will undoubtedly be a poignant moment. Nevertheless, the stage is set for a new generation of tennis stars to shine as they seek to etch their names in Olympic history.
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Howard Fendrich has been the AP’s tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here: https://apnews.com/author/howard-fendrich
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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games