Cincinnati Open Champs Take to Paris for Olympics 

Olympic tennis starts this weekend with the first round of matches taking place on Saturday, July 27. The 2024 Games are being held in Paris, France, meaning the backdrop for tennis will be none other than Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros. The famous red clay has held some of the most historic matches in history. As the world waits with bated breath to see how the Games will unfold, some very notable names from Cincinnati Open history are taking to the courts in Paris to represent their countries in hopes of winning gold.  

It would be impossible to think about the red clay of Paris without thinking of Rafael Nadal. Nadal, the 2013 Cincinnati Open Champion, returns to Paris with two Olympic gold medals to his name, winning the singles medal in 2008 and doubles in 2016. Despite ongoing struggles with injury, Nadal recently had a successful run in Bastad, Sweden, making the singles final and doubles semifinal with Casper Ruud. Nadal faces Martin Fucsovics in round one of the Olympic draw and will play alongside fellow Spaniard and Cincinnati Open finalist, Carlos Alcaraz, in doubles. 

Defending Cincinnati Open champion Coco Gauff will represent Team USA as the flag bearer in the opening ceremony, becoming the first tennis player and youngest flag bearer in Team USA history. She will take on the Australian Ajla Tomljanonvic in her round-one matchup in Paris. Gauff enters the draw as the No. 2 seed in her first Olympic appearance. 

Three-time Cincinnati Open Champion Novak Djokovic is the top seed at this year’s Olympic Games. Coming off a recent knee surgery, Djokovic made the Wimbledon Final earlier this month in a rematch of the 2023 Cincinnati Open final against Alcaraz. The Olympic gold medal has been one accolade elusive to Djokovic thus far. He will face Matthew Ebden in round one, with the possibility of facing Nadal in the second. Djokovic placed 4th in the 2020 games. 

2022 Cincinnati Open Champion, Caroline Garcia, is the 17 seed in the women’s draw. Garcia carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Versailles earlier this week and seeks to find success for her country on home soil. On her quest for gold, she’ll have to get through the likes of Osaka, Navarro, and Zheng, who are all in her quarter. She faces Jaqueline Cristian in round one of the singles draw and will play alongside Diane Parry in doubles. 

Alexander Zverev, the 2021 Cincinnati Open champ, is looking to defend his 2020 title at the Tokyo Olympics. In 2020, he took down notable names such as Djokovic and Khachanov on his way to the gold. To start his defense run, he faces Jaume Munar in round one. 

Former World No. 1 and 2019 Cincinnati Open champion Daniil Medvedev looks to make his mark in Paris this year too. Medvedev made the quarterfinals of the 2020 Olympics as the 2 seed and enters the 2024 games as the 4 seed. He will face Rinky Hijikata in the first round. 

Two-time Cincinnati Open and Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray has announced that the 2024 Olympics will be his last tournament before retiring from the sport. His last run will be played alongside Daniel Evans in doubles, facing the pairing of Nishikori and Daniel in the first round.