Olympic Tennis 7/28-8/5/2012

[Ribbons]

Now here's a name I hadn't heard in the mix up to now: Hindustan Times (don't know how credible a source that is) is saying Vishnu Vardhan might be selected as Paes's partner.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-F...e1-875214.aspx

(In the meantime, Paes/Lipsky lose in the first round in s'H...)

[TennisBen21]

Now here's a name I hadn't heard in the mix up to now: Hindustan Times (don't know how credible a source that is) is saying Vishnu Vardhan might be selected as Paes's partner.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-F...e1-875214.aspx

(In the meantime, Paes/Lipsky lose in the first round in s'H...)

I saw that today too Ribbons! I saw Vardhan and Bhambri both being thrown in the mix. I'd say that they'd go with Devvarman if he's healthy but that might not be a possibility.

[rabbit]

Now here's a name I hadn't heard in the mix up to now: Hindustan Times (don't know how credible a source that is) is saying Vishnu Vardhan might be selected as Paes's partner.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-F...e1-875214.aspx

(In the meantime, Paes/Lipsky lose in the first round in s'H...)

HT is a very credible source.

[luvs10s]

Marina Erakovic finally gets Olympics callup

New Zealand Olympic Committee's general secretary Kereyn Smith says in the end Marina Erakovic proved to them that she is worthy of going to the London Olympics.

Her case has been one of the most hotly debated selections for the Games as the NZOC stated it needed to be sure she could make it to the last 16 of the tournament, despite the International Tennis Federation (ITF) wanting her to go.

The long and drawn out process finally came to an end today when Smith confirmed that the world No 45 will be able to represent her country at the Olympics for the second time.

Smith said that when the selectors weighed up her situation, there was enough evidence to suggest that she could make it to the last 16 in the tournament which will have 64 players in the first round draw.

Her selection was only considered by the NZOC when it received her application from the ITF last Thursday.

"The process for us has been comprehensive and I would like to acknowledge Tracy [Hall, Tennis NZ high performance manager] and Steve's [Johns, Tennis NZ CEO] patience, which I think it's fair to say was tested," said Smith.

"However, we make no apologies for that because from our point of view it's about being comprehensive and it's an evidenced based process.

"So it's important to us that we have the information that enables us to either confirm or not an athlete in selection.

"So in that context, the basis for us in combination was three or four things.

"Firstly, the Olympic field and where Marina is ranked in it, we anticipate her to be in the top 30 by the time you take out double ups from countries.

"The fact that during the qualifying period she has beat top 16 players on more than one occasion, including the number two player in the world [Victoria Azarenka].

"Her win/loss record on grass is very competitive and to that end, having the Olympic Games event on the Wimbledon grass is obviously in her favour.

"We also thought it was important to note that in 2012 Marina had reached the top 16 in four tournaments.

"So for us, all of those things in combination led us to the position to select Marina."

Erakovic, who is in London preparing for Wimbledon, which starts next Monday, said in a press release she was delighted to at last be told that she would be at the Games.

[hurricanejeanne]

In happier news, tennis is taking over the Opening Ceremony as Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Sharapova, Radwanska, and possibly Azarenka will be the flag bearers for their respective countries.

[omess]

End of drama it seems : Bhupathi & Bopanna will team up for Olympics. Paes & Vishnu Varshan also pairing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-18530818

[Drop-shot]

End of drama it seems : Bhupathi & Bopanna will team up for Olympics. Paes & Vishnu Varshan also pairing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-18530818

Now THERE'S a doubles match I would see. I hope they meet. :POPCORN:

[skatingfan]

It'll only happen in the final - they put players/teams from the same country on opposite sides of the draw.

[rabbit]

End of drama it seems : Bhupathi & Bopanna will team up for Olympics. Paes & Vishnu Varshan also pairing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-18530818

Consolation prize for Paes is that he'll get Sania for mixed doubles. Wonder what Sania's views are about this, given that she's a good friend of Mahesh.

Seeking to put to end the ongoing row over India’s team for the 2012 Olympics, the All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) has reiterated that Leander Paes and Sania Mirza will be paired in the mixed doubles’ category in London.

Hours after he had announced that the association would send two men's doubles teams to the Olympics - Paes to partner Vishnu Vardhan and Mahesh Bhupathi teaming up with Rohan Bopanna – AITA president Amit Khanna told reporters that there would be no change in the Leander-Mirza partnership as India’s mixed doubles' pair.

"Sania and Leander will play the mixed doubles for India at the Olympics," Khanna said. "Things are settled. Leander will play with Sania. That is final."

Paes had written to AITA seeking assurance that he would be paired with Mirza, and his father Vece Paes had told CNN-IBN that Paes could reject the two-team formula that AITA had decided on. Khanna said that Pais had not yet decided.

"It would be unfortunate if Leander backed out. Obviously Leander will be disappointed, but AITA has endorsed the decision. Leander is disturbed, but we have tried to explain to him and to convince him. He had not decided. We will be able to convince him."

Addressing the issue of Bhupathi and Bopanna refusing to play with Paes in London, Khanna said: "It is unfortunate that both players did not agree to play with Leander. We are unhappy Rohan and Mahesh have not cooperated, but we decided not to punish them as the country's pride was involved. Whatever action has to be taken [against the two players] will be taken after the Olympics. Mahesh Bhupathi should be pleased that we did not take any action against him."

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/paesmirza...7226-5-22.html

[Ribbons]

Paes reportedly following through on his threat not to go to Olympics at all:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/leander-p...7214-5-22.html

[Ti-Amie]

Paes reportedly following through on his threat not to go to Olympics at all:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/leander-p...7214-5-22.html

Wow.

[Ribbons]

The Swedish OC and tennis federation finally in accord, says Guy McCrea: Arvidsson now entered in both singles and mixed dubs (w/Lindstedt).

http://www.svt.se/os/tennis/arvidsso...-os-trots-allt

[omess]

Paes reportedly following through on his threat not to go to Olympics at all:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/leander-p...7214-5-22.html

What a complete mess

[James7]

Paes reportedly following through on his threat not to go to Olympics at all:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/leander-p...7214-5-22.html

I feel like I can better appreciate the reluctance of others to partner him.

[Moose]

Oli's off to court - but there's info about PEHK and Haas I did not realize, that might keep them out of the Games :question:

Olympics - Oliver Rochus to sue Belgian federation for right to play in Londonn Games
ATP Tennis 21 Jun 2012

Belgium´s Olivier Rochus wants to be part of the Belgian National Olympic Games, but it seems unlikely he will reach his goal.

Rochus does not meet the criteria that applies in Belgium by the national tennis federation - to reach at least the quarterfinals in an ATP Master series or in the second round in a Grand Slam.

But the Belgian, who is within the top 64 ranking (and therefore, entitled to participate), is about to launch a lawsuit against the COIB (Federation of Belgian Olympic Committee), as revealed by website dh.be.

Rochus: "The last 24 hours have not been easy for me: I had too many thoughts in my head this morning I woke up at 5. I can not say much except that I and my lawyer are hopeful "

The same also goes for the German players. According to the rules of the German Tennis Federation, no player has qualified for the Olympics. In order to compete in the Olympic tournament, a player must be in the Top24 or reached quarter-finals or semifinals in a Grand Slam or a Masters 1000. (emphasis added)

World no. 3 Roger Federer wanted to intervene in defense of German players: "It 'a joke that using these criteria. I'd like to see so many German players in the Olympics. Kohlschreiber beat Haas and Nadal has beaten me so I do not see why they should not be qualified for the tournament. The German players should understand that they can do very well on grass. "

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Olympi...icolo4542.html


(NOTE: while Roger makes a good argument, I think this might belong in "Great Tennis Journalism", since Kohli beat Nadal, and Haas beat Roger last week).