Young tennis stars skipping Paris Olympics 2024: Top players participating in US tournaments instead, here's why

Paris Olympics 2024 is just round the corner but it is a severe red flag for the tennis event as some major tennis players ranked in the top brackets, are deciding to skip the Olympics. These players are looking at participating in US-based tournaments rather than representing their nations in the coveted Paris Olympics 2024. This high-profile absence in the tennis event at Olympics has raised alarm at the International Olympic Committee, but there is little they can do at the moment.

Paris Olympics 2024 coincides with global tennis calendar

The Paris Olympics 2024 has fallen at a very unreasonable time for tennis players across the globe as it directly coincides with some leading tennis tournaments set in the United States. The Olympics and the US Open are almost overlapping with one another and it would be very tiresome for the players to prepare and juggle between both as it would hamper their overall performance and agility.

Also Read: Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal fight: Fight card, Main event and streaming details

Paris Olympics 2024: Why are tennis players refraining from participation?

Moreover, some players will prefer tournaments like the US Open over Paris Olympics 2024, as there lies various incentives for players when they participate in tennis championships, in terms of both, rating points as well as prize money. For example, the Wimbledon itself has a 50 million pounds prize pool for participating players in the main event, which itself explains why leading tennis stars will opt for these events instead than the Olympics, where you may get fame, repute and a medal, but there is no other incentive.

Olympics does not award cash, tennis tournaments do

Olympics does not provide any cash money to the winners of events, as has been the custom over the years. This is why tennis stars often opt to participate in cash-rich tennis championships than Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth. Meanwhile, players are also of the opinion that playing in US tournaments would make them better seeds during the Grand Slam events.

FAQs:

Will Paris Olympics 2024 coincide with US Open?
Paris Olympics 2024 and US Open are both in close proximity, which will give players less time to prepare and recover, making their performance sub-par.

Does Olympics award cash prizes?
No, as has been the custom with the Olympic Games over the years, there are no cash prizes for the medal winners. Instead, they get a gold, silver or bronze medal that reflects on the country's overall medal count as well.