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Olympic Tennis

travoholic | Sep 13, 2009 |

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Tennis had been a part of the modern Olympic Games since they started in 1896 but it was dropped from the schedule after the 1924 competition. It returned as a full event in Seoul in 1988 and has been every Games since then.

Olympic tennis includes events for both men and women. Both play the best of three sets to decide the winner of each match unlike in men's grand slam tennis where the best of five matches decides the winner. Since the Games in 2004, results from Olympic tennis have counted towards both the ATP and WTP world rankings.

Tennis at the Olympics used to award two bronze medals at the 1896, 1900, 1904, 1988 and 1992 competitions. From 1996 onwards, a bronze medal game has been played to decide third place. Since tennis was reintroduced to the Games in 1988, only men's and women's singles and men's and women's doubles have been contested with mixed doubles being dropped.

During the period between 1896 and 1924 Great Britain had won the most medals with 15 gold and a total of 39 medals. The United States and France had each won 15 total medals each. From 1988 to 2008 the United States has dominated with 10 gold medals and 17 overall. Russia, Chile and Switzerland have all won two events each during that time period. The winningest player has been Reginald Doherty with three golds and 1 bronze. Venus Williams is the only other player with three gold medals to her name.

Tennis at the London 2012 Olympics will be held at Wimbledon, the legendary tennis facility in south west London. As the only remaining major grass tennis court n the world, it will be a great setting for the event and will be a must-see during the London 2012 Games.