Djokovic, Roddick, and Others Call Out Olympics Singles Players Substitution Policy

 
By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Sunday, July 28, 2024
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty

For many athletes, the opportunity to represent one’s country in global competition at the Olympics is the reward itself. Yet this year’s Summer Games in Paris is facing criticism in the Tennis event over its policy of last minute player substitutions.

This especially includes players with extremely low or even no current singles rankings.

MORE: Nadal Sets Up 60th Career Clash with Djokovic at Olympics

That was the case for top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia who easily defeated Australia’s Matt Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in 53 minutes in his opening match on Saturday. Ebden, who currently has no singles ranking, though was once a World No.1 in doubles was placed into the singles draw as a last minute alternate.

Ebden was already in the event for men’s doubles.While Ebden, once ranked No. 39 in singles, tried his best, he was no match for Djokovic.

Because of late withdrawals, 3 players WITHOUT ATP singles rankings have made it into #Olympics singles draw at #Paris2024

Matt Ebden Australia, who lost to Djokovic
Francisco Cabral Portugal
Petros Tsitsipas Greece

Don’t think this is the kind of inclusion the #Olympics had… pic.twitter.com/bCU7c2nEbX

— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) July 28, 2024

Afterwards, Djokovic while understanding the situation, said later he didn’t think it was a good look for the event to have such a lopsided matchup.

“There were a lot of singles players that had plenty of time, there were alternates, that could have been told to come,” Djokovic said. “So this part I don’t get and I really hope that the ITF along with the Olympics will consider changing this rule because it’s tough on Matthew. He told me it’s been over two years (since) he played an official singles match and he said this was his last singles match, he’s officially retired. So as I said, it’s not a great feeling for him being on the court like that.”

Carlos Alcaraz faced a similar situation when, Hady Habib, representing Lebanon, was called up to face the recent Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion in the first round.

Though Habib is currently ranked World No. 275 in singles, it was also another one way win for Alcaraz 6-3, 6-1. Habib was inserted in the draw when Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz withdrew from the Olympics due to a knee injury suffered at Wimbledon.

R2 🔜@carlosalcaraz advances to the second round of #Paris2024 as he defeats Hady Habib…