Three weeks and two tournaments. This is what tennis players, including Italians, have at their disposal to achieve one of the great objectives of this season: participating in the Olympic Games. A Roland Garros on the table and hopes that can materialize or be shattered: here are the rules and the situation for those who dream of winning an Olympic medal.
CRITERIA
—
There are 12 athletes from each nation who can aim for the Olympic finish line: four for each singles draw, two for the gender doubles and two for the mixed doubles. To qualify for the Games it is necessary to look at the Olympics Race, a ranking that expires on June 10, when the tennis players who will go to Paris will be determined. This, however, is not enough. There are other rules, including having participated in the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup. However, there are several exceptions to the latter and they directly concern Italy.
MEN’S BOARD
—
The one who is certain of being able to compete in the Olympics is Jannik Sinner. Leader of the Olympics Race and thanks to his 8725 points, the Slam champion already has the plan ready to get to Paris at his best: after Wimbledon he will play the ATP 250 in Bastad, a clay tournament that will allow him to get used to the surface that will host the Games. The other two Italians who see the French capital are Lorenzo Musetti and Matteo Arnaldi: 1,225 points for the former, 1020 for the latter. The real fight is for fourth place. From the rankings, the two candidates would be Luciano Darderi and Flavio Cobolli, with 992 and 825 points respectively. The two, despite not having been called up to the Davis Cup, would still be admitted: both are part of a national team with many athletes with good placements in the four-year Olympic period, which constitutes the exception to the rule. Those excluded, however, would be Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Sonego, who brought us that Davis, a founding but not fundamental criterion, only a few months ago. The one who will certainly be hunting for an Olympic gold will be Novak Djokovic, who is also certain of qualification. As well as Carlos Alcaraz, who wants to bring to Spain what Nadal brought in 2008: the gold medal. Speaking of Rafa, he will do everything to be there. Physically permitting, the Spaniard will benefit from an invitation reserved for Slam champions and Olympic winning players.
WOMEN’S BOARD
—
Jasmine Paolini, winner of the WTA 1000 in Dubai, like Sinner, is also certain of qualifying for the Games: 2813 points take her to number 13 in the Olympics Race. Completing the picture could be Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti and Martina Trevisan. Sara Errani is fourth with 710 points, just forty points behind the 2022 Roland Garros semi-finalist. The Italians will have to compete with the best of the WTA circuit, who have long since achieved the Olympic pass: from Swiatek to Gauff, from Sabalenka to Rybakina.
DOUBLES BOARD
—
The criteria for qualifying these has different rules, slightly more complex, but which give us clear indications on Italians. Those who will fly to Paris will be the couple made up of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori for the men’s and Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani for the women’s. Excluding, for now, that couple who made us dream in Malaga: Sinner and Sonego would not be able to participate unless the Turin native manages to qualify or benefits from someone else’s lump sum. For the mixed doubles draw, instead, we look to the singles Olympics Race. Following the combined ranking rule, it is possible that the two Italian number ones, Sinner and Paolini, could participate. “I would like to play with him in Paris,” said Jasmine recently. Everyone would like him.
