Olympics 2024, Paris, France and Citi Open, Washington DC ATP/WTA 500

 

The Paris Olympics 2024
Stade Roland Garros
Paris, France
July 26-August 11, 2024

The Olympic Torch a symbol of light, hope, friendship. The Olympic flame symbolizes the light of spirit, knowledge and life. By passing the flame from one person to another in stages, the Torch Relay expresses the handing down of this symbolic fire from generation to generation. In 17 days the Torch will be passed to the USA where in 2028 the Olympics will be held in Los Angeles and once more the flame will be lit and continue to keep alight the ideals of courage, goodwill and harmony.  A reminder that this figurative fire is eternal and endures.

From a Reuters Report More than fun and games

The Paris Olympics involve about 10,500 athletes from 200 countries or regions. But the Olympics are more than just fun and games.

They are a giant business that generates billions of dollars in income for the International Olympic Committee. They’re also a proxy for geopolitical influence seen through the standings in the medal tables, the presence of world leaders at the opening ceremony and the national anthems serenading gold-medal winners.

Some Olympic Trivia:

As if winning an Olympic medal isn't exciting enough in itself, every athlete that makes it on an Olympic podium will be taking home a piece of the Eiffel Tower. A piece of original iron from the iconic landmark will sit in the center of each bronze, silver and gold medal in a hexagonal shape, branded with the logo of the Games. The reverse side of the medal depicts an adaptation of the rebirth of the Games, featuring the goddess of victory Athena Nike.

Who has the most medals?

Top 10 countries with the most medals in the history of the Olympics:

Rank	Country	Gold Medal	Silver Medal	Bronze Medal	Total
1	United States of America	1175	951	833	2959
2	Soviet Union	473	376	355	1204
3	Germany	305	305	312	922
4	Great Britain	296	323	331	950
5	China	285	231	197	713
6	France	264	293	332	889
7	Italy	259	231	269	759
8	Sweden	212	228	239	679
9	Norway	209	186	173	568
10	Russia	194	165	185	544

Source: Visual Capitalist

A novel parade of the countries - on water

Surface: Clay

Draws: Singles 64, Doubles 32, Mixed doubles 16 (Players from the same country are not put into the same quarter, or half, of the draw.)

Tennis was part of the inaugural 1896 Summer Olympics but owing to a dispute over what comprised an amateur player, was out after 1924. It returned as a full medal sport in 1988.

There are 172 players in 5 medal events. Players from Russia and Belarus who chose to participate must play as neutrals.

There are several big stories this year. Both Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber will retire at this year’s Games. In fact Murray withdrew from singles and will just play doubles (with Dan Evans). Will Novak Djokovic win that elusive gold medal to fill one of the few gaps on his impressive resume? Will the doubles team of Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz live up to the wild hype? A player representing Lebanon, Benjamin Hassan, will take part for the first time, and will face Christopher Eubanks.

The Men

Best past results: Andy Murray with 2 gold medals in singles and one silver in mixed doubles.

Current champion: Alexander Zverev who defeated Karen Khachanov.

Seeds (in order of seeding): Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tommy Paul, Ugo Humbert, Lorenzo Musetti, Sebastian Baez, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Arthur Fils, Alejandro Tabilo, Nicolas Jarry

Not playing: Includes Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, Grigor Dimitrov, Ben Shelton

The Women

Best past results: Serena Williams and Venus Williams, each with one gold medal in singles and three gold medals in doubles.

Current champion: Belinda Bencic who defeated Marketa Vondousova.

Seeds (in order of seeding): Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula, Zheng Qinwen, Maria Sakkari, Danielle Collins, Barbora Krejcikova, Jelena Ostapenko, Emma Navarro, Marta Kostyuk, Donna Vekic, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Diana Shnaider, Leylah Fernandez

Not playing: Includes Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina, Madison Keys, Ons Jabeur, Victoria Azarenka, Marketa Vondrousova

Other Tokyo 2020 Champions

Men’s Doubles: Nicola Mektic/Mate Pavic who defeated Marin Cilic/Ivan Dodig (an all-Croatia final)

Women’s Doubles: Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova who defeated Belinda Bencic/Viktorija Golubic

Mixed Doubles: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova/ Andrei Rublev who defeated Elena Vesnina/Aslan Karatsev (an all-Russia final)

====================

Mubadala Citi DC Open ATP 500 / WTA 500

William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center

Washington, DC, USA

July 29-August 4, 2024

The Men

The Washington Monument

Surface: Hard

Draws: Singles 48, Doubles 16

This is the 55th edition of the tournament. It is the only combined ATP-WTA 500 level tourney.

2023 champion: Dan Evans who defeated Tallon Griekspoor.

Although the tournament will take place during the Olympics, several players chose not to take part in the Olympic Games, resulting in a fairly strong field.

Seeds (in order of seeding): Andrey Rublev, Ben Shelton, Karen Khachanov, Sebastian Korda, Frances Tiafoe, Adrian Mannarino, Jordan Thompson, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Flavio Cobolli, Roberto Carballes Baena, Miomir Kecmanovic, Brandon Nakashima, Aleksandar Vukic, Alex Michelsen, Arthur Rinderknech

The 16 seeds receive a first-round bye.

Wildcards: American players Reilly Opelka, J.J. Wolf, plus Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Andrey Rublev, Denis Shapovalov

Withdrawals: Taro Daniel, Grigor Dimitrov, Constant Lestienne, Maximilian Marterer, Pedro Martinez

OOP

The Women

Surface: Hard

Draws: Singles 28, Doubles 16

This is the 12th edition of the tournament.

2023 champion: Coco Gauff defeated Maria Sakkari. This was Gauff’s first 500 level title.

Seeds (in order of seeding): Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina, Liudmila Samsonova, Ons Jabeur, Victoria Azarenka, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Elise Mertens, Anastasia Potapova

The top 4 seeds receive a first-round bye.

Wildcards: American players Robin Montgomery, Clervie Ngounoue, plus Paula Badosa, Emma Raducanu

Protected ranking: Shelby Rogers

Alternate: Taylor Townsend

Withdrawals: Anna Kalinskaya, Madison Keys, Veronika Kudermetova, Zhu Lin

OOP

Olympic Schedule

Many thanks Hartt.