What happens when a tennis player withdraws from Paris Olympics 2024 in singles? All you need to know about the unique system in effect
The men's singles tennis event at the 2024 Paris Olympics got a jolt as top seed and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner announced his withdrawal from the competition due to tonsilitis. His withdrawal has subsequently caused a ripple effect within the draw.
Sinner was the top seed and one of the top 3 favorites to win the gold along with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The Italian's withdrawal will increase the chances of the other two players to clinch the gold.
As per the qualification rules for the Olympics, each country has the right to enter four top-ranked players on the ATP rankings. As per the regulations, the Italian contingent consisted of Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Arnaldi, and Luciano Darderi. The rankings were considered as of June 10 of this year.
Apart from the rankings, the players also needed to fulfill the stipulated conditions of national representation by playing Davis Cup matches. The player has to have played in the Davis Cup for the three years leading up to the 2024 Olympics.
However, Sinner's withdrawal means the Italian team needed a replacement. As per the ITF regulations, if any player puts forward a legitimate reason for withdrawal after July 19, then the governing body has the authority to enlist players who have already qualified for the Olympics but are not participating in that particular event.
Andrea Vavassori is the player to replace Jannik Sinner
Andrea Vavassori will replace Jannik Sinner in the four-man team in the Italian contingent at the Paris Olympics. Vavassori has already partnered up with Simone Bolelli in the men's doubles. The Italian duo is one of the favorites for the gold, entering the event as the second seed.
Having already entered the competition, Vavassori has met the stipulated conditions for Olympic qualification. Hence, he was the automatic choice to replace Sinner as per the rankings on June 10th. Higher-ranked players like Flavio Cobolli and Luca Nardi were not considered as they did not fulfill their Davis Cup commitments.
It also took away the chance from Lorenzo Sonego, who could not originally qualify as the four-player limit came into play. However, this adds pressure on Vavassori who has to carry the nation's hopes in two events. It also breaks the top-seeded pairing of Musetti and Sinner who were supposed to play doubles. Musetti will now team up with Luciano Darderi in the doubles.
Holger Rune joins Jannik Sinner as more players withdraw from the Olympics
After Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune was the latest addition to the list of players who withdrew their names from the Paris Olympics. The 21-year-old Dane withdrew from the event due to a wrist injury. Rune was the 13th seed and betting odds had him as the eighth favorite for the gold medal.
Rune was the only player to represent men's tennis for Denmark at the Games. His withdrawal opens up a place that will be filled up at the discretion of ITF.