US Olympic tennis team to be finalized on June 19

With other countries, such as Spain, making big announcements about their Olympic tennis teams this week, many tennis fans are wondering what the delay is for the US to officially announce its team.

For all practical purposes, the US team is mostly known because each player had to qualify, and the qualification period ended on June 9.

However, the tennis portion of the Paris Olympics is tricky. It is happening in late July at Roland Garros. Clay court season ended with the conclusion of the French Open so players have moved on to practicing and playing warm-up tournaments on the grass courts in preparation for Wimbledon. After Wimbledon, a regular tennis season evolves to the hardcourts. Players may be forced to prioritize training for Wimbledon and the US Open over preparing and representing the US in the Olympics.

Ben Shelton, the third-ranked American, signaled early in the year that he would forego the Olympics to prepare for the final two Grand Slams of the year. We do not know if he is the only one considering this path.

The top four US women are Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins, and Madison Keys. Pegula would be the only question mark not because she does not want to play but because she missed the clay court season with a rib injury and is just rejoining the WTA Tour for the grass court season. Emma Navarro would be the alternate should any of the top four players not be able to play. Kathy Rinaldi will be the US women’s coach.

The top four US men are Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, and Sebastian Korda. With Shelton opting out, Frances Tiafoe would be the next to qualify. Christopher Eubanks would then assume the role of alternate. Bob Bryan will serve as the US men’s coach.

Amid the unknowns that will soon be cleared up, one thing we do know is that a new Olympic gold medalist in women’s singles will be crowned in Paris. Belinda Bencic, the reigning Olympic champion, is on maternity leave and will not defend her title. Alexander Zverev is the reigning men’s singles Olympic champion.

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