Olympia 2021: Nadal without pressure, Thiem and Zverev with options
There are still many question marks about the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. If the games take place, all the stars of the scene can be expected.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Apr 30, 2021, 06:59 pm
The news from Tokyo is not getting better, it was not until Thursday that Japan's top pandemic fighter, Shigero Omi, urgently advised the organizers of the 2021 Olympic Games to think again about the sense of execution in times like these. At the moment, however, the signs are pointing to implementation, the planning of the athletes and therefore also the tennis stars is proceeding accordingly.
Shortly after the French Open, the teams have to be nominated, each country is entitled to a maximum of four single places and two each in singles and doubles. The singles are played with a 64 grid, the access determines the world rankings. Regardless of the circumstances, many players consider the Olympics to be one of the big highlights of the year, some, like Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray (if he gets a starting place at all), can go to Tokyo extremely relaxed because of their past successes.
Others, like Novak Djokovic , want to refine their outstanding career with Olympic precious metal. Or, like Roger Federer , a notch higher in the individual than in 2012, when the Swiss lost to local hero Murray in the final in London.
Zverev and Thiem with different options
Alexander Zverev also has big plans, but apart from his single ambitions he does not yet know exactly with whom and how many. A start by Andreas Mies seems unlikely at the moment, so Kevin Krawietz would have a vacancy at his side. Which Jan-Lennard Struff could also fill. He, in turn, has already shown wonderful double sequences with Tim Pütz.
In the mixed competition, things are a little trickier: Zverev has long been promising Angelique Kerber that the single placement of the native hamburger (the better rankings, regardless of whether in singles or doubles, serve as a ticket to a tableau) speaks for itself a German appearance, Kerber would just have to add a little more to make sure.
Dominic Thiem is not in this embarrassment. In individual terms, nothing stands in the way of the Austrian number one’s Olympic debut, should Thiem also be enthusiastic about pair skating, several paths would also be open to him: Oliver Marach and Philipp Oswald could represent the red-white-red interests most promisingly, but there would be also Jürgen Melzer, the tireless sports director of the ÖTV. Melzer has already achieved great things with Marach, Thiem could also throw himself on a pack with Oswald. If Japan's top pandemic researcher doesn't make himself heard.