Paris 2024: Tennis returns to historic Roland Garros at the Olympics with an ensemble cast

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Paris, Jul 27: If Paris is steeped in history, can the Roland Garros be left far behind? Tennis action returns to the historic venue which hosts the second Grand Slam of the season, just that, this time, the focus will be on medals.

Very recently, the red clay saw Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz win titles as part of the Grand Slams, where Paris is the second one in the calendar.

When the Olympics was held here in 1924, Roland Garros did not exist. This venue was built much later, though, from an Olympic perspective, tennis on clay is exciting. After all, in 2012, during the London Olympics, Wimbledon was host to the tennis programme.

From a historical viewpoint, Colombes hosted the 1924 tennis event, a suburb northwest of Paris. Later, tennis went out of the Olympics before returning to in Seoul, 1988.

Paris is historic and the craze to see marquee names in tennis has peaked. Tickets are in high demand and fans want to see the greats - Rafael Nadal, a man who won 14 titles on clay, and of course Novak Djokovic.

This generation is more hooked to Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz. Of course, many more superstars make the Olympic tennis programme a very engaging one.

For those who have been to Roland Garros, the courts are named after former greats like Suzann Lenglene, Jean Borotra and Philippe Chatrier. These are the greats who ruled these courts in yesteryears. Now, the focus in the Olympics tennis is also very much on Nadal and Andy Murray, both in the last leg of their careers.

Nadal had said last year when he got injured, that he wanted to play in his last Olympics, and what better venue than Paris? He attempted the French Open this year but was not fit.

More than singles, his pairing with current champion Carlos Alcaraz in doubles at the Olympics has generated massive hype. Rafa has said Alcaraz does not play much doubles, but he will attempt the Olympics.

As winner of the latest Grand Slam - Wimbledon - Alcaraz is a hot favourite this time. He is seen as the young man who can take over the legacy left by Nadal and has challenged Djokovic twice on grass. But then, Novak Djokovic will also want to do well. He has said the pressure is not on him this time.

Crazy scheduling and a knee injury wrecked his French Open campaign in 2024. He underwent a surgery and made a great comeback. As regards Andy Murray, this farewell in Paris has been playing out for long.

Tennis lovers are aware names like Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori will also be important in Paris from today. It is not like the Grand Slam for sure, but playing in the Olympics is very emotional. From the French viewpoint as well, there will be massive interest, though they do not have big names like before.

Professional tennis and the Olympics are very different. In Paris, the players will be competing for national glory, not ranking points and prize money. That is what makes the Summer Games special.

Indian Doubles Duo Eyes History At Roland Garros

From an Indian viewpoint, the presence of Rohan Bopanna, Sriram Balaji and Sumit Nagal in singles has lent a buzz at the Paris 2024 Olympics. One entry in men's doubles and Nagal in singles is all that India has managed. The entries for the Olympics are not easy and those who made the cut after the French Open are in Paris, finally.

Unlike the Grand Slams, matches in the Olympics will be best of three sets for men as well. The glare is on Alcaraz as he has been making waves, even as Jannik Sinner has opted out due to a tonsils flare-up. Holger Rune, another promising name is also not here.

Paris is famous for food, fashionistas and fragrance. Roland Garros will see all this as well during the Olympics week. After a high-energy opening ceremony, the focus shifts to all events, where tennis is rated as special.

Back to Alcaraz, if he wins the title again in Paris, it will be massive. In an Olympic year, the gold medal won is treated with huge respect. Alcaraz has the drive in him.

After all, he got a famous Eiffel Tower tattoo done after winning the French very recently. Rain can again affect the programme at the Olympics but two show courts with roofs will take care of the scheduling.