The 2024 Paris Olympics is approaching as tennis players get ready to fight for their country. It is an important event in the sport but not according to all. Former coach of Serena Williams, Patrick Mouratoglou, expressed on Instagram why he feels that the Olympics is not important in tennis. Mouratoglou explained a few points to defend his statement.
Mouratoglou spoke about how the Olympics was discontinued in tennis for 60 years. It was not included in the Olympics from 1928 to 1984. The Frenchmen also spoke about how the grand slams are important since it is also played every year. He said, “There is no real connection between tennis and the Olympic Games. A lot of tennis players don’t feel that it’s such an important event for tennis.”
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His opinion was answered back by Rennae Stubbs, who had also coached Serena. Stubbs said, “You tell me it means nothing to them,” while posting a few winning moments of players.
here’s a few photos of recent gold medal winners at the Olympics. You tell me it means nothing to them. pic.twitter.com/qhp4wNEOAw
— Rennae Stubbs 🟦👍🏼 (@rennaestubbs) October 9, 2023
Stubbs had herself played doubles in four consecutive Olympics. She made her debut in Atlanta in 1996 and last played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She said that winning a medal for your country is the same as winning a grand slam. Stubbs also shared a picture of Novak Djokovic in tears at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to prove her point on the importance of the event.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams record at Olympics
Venus Williams is the most decorated Olympian tennis player in history. She has won four gold medals and one silver medal. She took the gold in singles and doubles at Sydney. Venus won her last medal in mixed doubles alongside Rajeev Ram at Rio. Former player Kathleen McKane Godfree also won five medals at the event during the amateur era, clinching her only gold medal in doubles at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics.
Serena played in the Olympics four times and has four gold medals at the event. She won the gold in doubles at the event thrice. The former world No.1 achieved podium finishes with Venus in the 2000 Sydney, 2008 Beijing and at the 2012 London Olympics. She also took the gold in the singles event at the 2012 London Olympics. Serena could not play the 2004 Athens Olympics due to an injury in the left knee.
Serena and Venus at the #Olympics #Gold #Gold #Gold #Gold #Gold #Gold #Gold #Gold pic.twitter.com/7tlLoWz7Ks
— Luis. (@serenapower_) August 4, 2016
The Olympics has become a crucial part of the game. The Olympic matches will be held at the red dirt courts of the Roland Garros. The last time tennis was played in the Olympics in Paris was in 1924 on clay, and it is returning to the same surface a century later.