After missing the Tokyo 2020 Games because of the Coronavirus, the Aussie tennis star was selected Wednesday to headline a potent national team with hopes to land a medal in Paris 2024. Ajla Tomljanovic will be the only countrywoman on the singles draw.
The world tennis number nine will make his Olympic debut in the French capital next month, three years after missing out at the Tokyo Games because of Covid. He will spearhead a four-pronged Australian medal assault in the men’s singles alongside Alexei Popyrin, Chris O’Connell and Rinky Hijikata — who will all be taking part in their first Olympics as well.
“Obviously last time round I got a little bit unlucky to not be able to play in Tokyo,” said Alex De Minaur. “But I’ve had my eyes set on Paris and I am super excited to now be officially part of this team. I am really looking forward to just immersing myself in what it means to be an Olympian.”
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Ajla Tomljanovic will be the only Australian in the women’s singles draw. “It feels amazing to be selected to my second Olympic team,” said the world number 135. Roland Garros will host the tennis in Paris, marking only the second time in Olympic history that the tournament will be played on clay, after Barcelona in 1992.
Top-ranked doubles player Matt Ebden will partner Tokyo mixed-doubles bronze medallist John Peers in the men’s doubles, in which De Minaur will also compete as he teams up with Popyrin.
World number nine doubles player Ellen Perez will partner Daria Saville in the women’s doubles for Australia. The mixed-doubles partnerships will be announced before the selection deadline on 24 July.
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony is on 26 July with the tennis tournament beginning the next day.