Since 1984, tennis has been a huge event in the Olympics. Players who have won Grand Slam events will tell you that winning for their country is so much more important than winning for themselves, and you see the emotion run incredibly high as a result.
Get yourself ready for betting on the Summer Olympics today! We'll have all of the great Olympics odds at BookMaker.eu.
THE FORMAT
There will be 172 players gathered to play in five different events. Both the men and women will have singles events and doubles events, and there will be mixed doubles as well. Many players will aim for at least two medals, and some will play in all three events.
The way men and women qualify to be in the Olympics is a bit complicated. Players have to have been nominated to play in the Fed Cup or Davis Cup or their respective qualifying tournaments at least three times in the last four years, and no nation can send more than six men and six women in totality. Four are allowed to compete in singles events, and no country may have more than two sets of doubles in either the men's or women's tournament.
Once players are eliminated from contention, the eligibility is determined by the ATP and WTA Rankings as of June 6. If there aren't enough players to qualify, individual nations are allowed to name more players.
A total of 64 men and women will compete on an individual level. There will be 32 teams of men's and women's doubles and 16 teams of mixed doubles. All of the tournaments will be held in a bracket-style single elimination tournament. The losers of the semifinal matches will meet in the bronze medal matches.
This tournament is being played on a hard court.
HISTORY OF TENNIS IN THE SUMMER OLYMPICS
Since tennis came back to the Olympics in 1988, the United States has predictably dominated. The Americans have 13 gold medals, two silvers and six bronzes for a total of 21 medals.
Germany, Russia, Chile and Switzerland all have two gold medals apiece. No other nation has more than one gold medal.
Spain has the second most total medals in tennis with 11. Germany and Russia have seven apiece.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer will all be around on the men's side of this tournament, though it should be noted that Rafael Nadal hasn't qualified. There isn't another man in the Top 15 in the world who won't qualify for the Olympics. The top American qualifier is John Isner.
Garbine Muguruza hasn't qualified for the Olympics, and that takes away the No. 4 player in the world. Serena Williams is headlining the women's side of this tournament. Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska, Victoria Azarenka and Simona Halep will all be headed to Brazil as well.
AND THE GOLD MEDAL GOES TO…
The Williams sisters have dominated the women's doubles events, winning gold medals in consecutive Olympics. Williams also won the women's singles event in 2012. This is probably the last go around for these two women on the international stage, and we have to think Serena is going to be ready to pounce again, especially with Maria Sharapova on suspension and no one else seemingly ready to knock her off the mantle at the top of the WTA.
Federer and Wawrinka won men's doubles together, and we can't help but wonder if they're going to do it again. They might not have the best teamwork in the world like the American Bryan brothers, but they'll be the most talented pair for sure.
As far as the individual men's tournament goes, it's hard to avoid Djokovic, who is easily the highest-ranked player in the world at the moment and was one match short of the Grand Slam last year.
Olympics odds at BookMaker.eu
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