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Tokyo Olympics 2020: USA Tennis Team Roster Including Coco Gauff, Tommy Paul, and Others
As Wimbledon 2021 finishes, the tennis society now has its eyes on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. But who all are playing and not playing the iconic sporting event this year?
Notably, after numerous withdrawals, four women and men each have been finalized to travel to Japan as part of the USA Olympics team. The tennis event at the Games will start on July 24 and run until August 1, 2021.
Coco Gauff and Tommy Paul to headline U.S.A Olympics Tennis Team at Tokyo Olympics 2020
Based on the Tour rankings after the French Open, four top women and men qualify outright for the Games. However, Sofia Kenin, Serena Williams, and Madison Keys declined their spot in the women’s singles, and so the subsequent Americans replaced them.
Chiefly, the 17-year-old Coco Gauff, currently ranked 23, earned her place as American No. 3. The other three women representing the U.S.A in Japan are Jennifer Brady, Jessica Pegula, and Alison Riske.
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 3, 2021 Cori Gauff of the U.S. in action during her third round match against Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan REUTERS/Toby Melville
Also, for doubles-only, Nicole Melichar and Bethanie Mattek-Sands with Jack Sock were chosen on a discretionary basis. Gauff-Melichar and Mattek-Sands-Pegula will contest for the gold in doubles.
Furthermore, the top 3 American men, Reilly Opelka, John Isner, and Taylor Fritz, also withdrew from the Games. Even their replacements, Sebastian Korda, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson, denied their participation.
Consequently, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, Tennys Sandgren, and Marcos Giron now have an opportunity to represent their country in men’s singles. Also, only American No. 4 Tommy Paul qualified on merit for this event. Lastly, Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek will team up with Tiafoe and Sandgren for the doubles category, respectively.
Given the youngsters on the list, the Tokyo Olympics would be a glimpse into the future of American tennis. Most significantly, the eyes of the world would be on the teenage sensation, Coco Gauff.
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Why did so many Americans withdraw from the Olympics, including Serena Williams?
Due to the ongoing pandemic outbreak, the Olympics will commence behind closed doors. Moreover, the players will have to comply with numerous restrictions and a rigorous schedule. Also, Japan will not allow foreign family members in the country.
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 29, 2021 Serena Williams of the U.S. leaves court as she retires from her first round match against Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
These are the most likely reasons tennis queen Serena Williams and others have decided to pull out from the Tokyo Olympics.
How excited are you for the Olympics event?
Also Read: Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari Share Exciting News for Tokyo Olympics 2021
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