Team USA tennis is set for the Olympics! The roster is an exciting mix of top singles and doubles players, and we can’t wait to watch them compete in Paris. Here’s everything you need to know about the team and the competition.
The Olympics start on July 26. The tennis competition begins on July 27, so don’t wait to start watching. 64 players will compete in each singles draw. 32 teams will be entered in both men’s and women’s doubles, and 16 teams will vie for mixed doubles gold.
The tennis will be played at Roland Garros, home of the French Open, which means players will be back on clay after switching to grass at Wimbledon, not a normal transition in a non-Olympics tennis season. This helps the clay specialists, of course, but has scared off some players completely who have chosen to prepare for the upcoming (hard-court) US Open instead. OK, you all do you. We’re going to focus here on the players that wouldn’t miss the Olympics for the world. Here’s who will be representing the United States in Paris.
Just 20 years old, Coco Gauff is the top American tennis player, ranked number two in the world. She was set to play in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago (the 2020 Olympics were postponed for a year due to the pandemic) but tested positive for COVID and had to withdraw. That setback didn’t stop her for long. Gauff has been winning… a lot. She won the US Open singles crown in 2023 and the French Open doubles titles this year (on clay, at the same venue where she will compete for a medal). The tennis world has high hopes for Coco in Paris! She is set to compete in Olympic singles, doubles and mixed doubles. A special honor: Gauff was chosen to be flag bearer for Team USA at the opening ceremony, along with fellow teammate Lebron James.
Jessica Pegula is the second highest ranked American tennis player at number five. She is competing in singles and doubles in Paris. Known for an imposing blend of power and consistency, Pegula has had a tough year, requiring time off to recover from injury. That said, she has come back strong this spring, winning a title in Berlin, defeating Coco Gauff along the way. But no hard feelings. She just happens to be Coco Gauff’s longtime time doubles partner, and the two good friends and teammates are certainly looking forward to competing together for a medal in Paris.
Doubles intrigue info: While Gauff won the French Open doubles title in May, it should be noted that it was with a different partner. Pegula withdrew from the French Open due to injury. Gauff won with Katerina Siniakova who will be playing in the Olympics with her former longtime partner and fellow Czech, Barbora Krejcikova. Sound familiar? She just won Wimbledon (singles). Siniakova won the Wimbledon doubles crown with another player—American Taylor Townsend. Yes, the competition will be intense in Paris, with former partners and friends mixing and matching. They all know each other’s games quite well. Can’t wait to see who comes out on top.
Powerhouse Danielle Collins, 30, has been on a tear this year, beating higher ranked players and winning titles. She defeated former Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina to win the Miami Open and was champion at the WTA tournament in Charleston. This is all especially poignant, as Collins has announced her retirement after this season. Tennis will miss her spark and intensity, but we are thrilled that her farewell tour includes the Olympics. Even if she doesn’t medal, we know Collins will fight with everything she has, just as she’s done throughout her career. Look for Collins in the singles and doubles competition, where she will team up with Desirae Krawcyzk.
Emma Navarro is an up-and-coming player who has generated a lot of buzz recently, defeating top champions on large stages. She beat Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells this year and Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon just a few weeks ago. She is on fire, and while she’s yet to win a Grand Slam title, she is definitely in the running for a medal at the Olympics. Navarro’s matches are a must-watch in Paris. Her calm demeanor and laser focus will be on display, along with her awesome and penetrating groundstrokes.
Desirae Krawczyk will round out the women’s side of Team USA tennis. She is scheduled to play doubles with Danielle Collins. The two have paired up before, winning the Charleston Open title in 2023. Also, expect Krawczyk to compete in mixed doubles in Paris (teams have yet to be announced). After all, she’s won the French Open, the US Open, and Wimbledon (twice) in mixed… not too bad!
Now, for Krawczyk’s potential mixed doubles partners, also known as the US men’s tennis Olympic team (kidding). Seriously, the men’s team is a group of tough and scrappy fighters that should be exciting to watch. That said, a number of top American men, including Ben Shelton, Sebastian Korda and Frances Tiafoe, have opted out of the Olympics.
Taylor Fritz is the top ranked American man on the ATP tour. Currently number 11, Fritz is a tough competitor having an outstanding year. He has made it to the quarterfinals of the last four Grand Slam tournaments, starting with the US Open in 2023. At six foot five inches, he has a monster serve that can change the outcome of matches. Pertinent stat: He just defeated Alexander Zverev, Tokyo gold medalist, at Wimbledon.
If you watched Wimbledon this year, you might have seen American Tommy Paul giving ultimate Wimby champion Carlos Alcaraz some serious competition. He faced Alcaraz in the quarterfinals and took the match to four sets. Let’s hope that gives Paul the confidence to go for a win in Paris. A threat in the singles draw, he’s scheduled to team up with Fritz in the doubles as well.
Christopher Eubanks considered retiring from tennis completely before having a breakout season in 2023, making it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and achieving a career high ranking of 29. While his ranking has dropped considerably, Eubanks is a gutsy player and at 6 feet and seven inches tall, his serve is quite a weapon.
Marcos Giron recently won an ATP title in Newport, Rhode Island, defeating teammate Eubanks en route to the winner’s circle. Currently ranked in the top 50, his matches are hard-fought and entertaining to watch.
Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, both doubles specialists, will team up for the US in Paris. This will be Ram’s third consecutive Olympics. At age 40, he has an impressive resume. He has won four Grand Slam titles in doubles and a silver medal in Olympic Mixed Doubles with Venus Williams (Rio 2016). Krajicek won the French Open in doubles last year and was a finalist at the US Open in mixed doubles, playing with none other than Jess Pegula.
So, let’s say it together, American tennis lovers. Let the games begin!
