Coco Gauff’s coach Brad Gilbert described the alternative scenario on the Paris Olympics as “ridiculous” and recommended that going ahead there ought to all the time be a few alternates on web site whereas late withdrawals ought to face a minimum of some type of sanction.
Within the week earlier than the beginning of the Paris Olympics, a number of massive names pulled out of the occasion – that features world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist Hubert Hurkacz and former world No. 4 Rune. And after the Paris Olympics began, a few different withdrawals occurred as Alex de Minaur and Cameron Norrie additionally stated they weren’t able to play.
As a result of present rule, withdrawals that occurred after July nineteenth may have solely been changed by doubles gamers who made the Olympics.
That led to the likes of Matthew Ebden, Francisco Cabral and Petros Tsitsipas showing within the singles occasion and getting trashed. For the context, Ebden did not play any singles matches for 2 years earlier than the Olympics – Cabral solely performs doubles and his career-high rating in singles noticed him ranked at No. 862 on the planet – whereas Tsitsipas’ youthful brother Petros can be primarily targeted on doubles and has by no means been a top-700 participant within the singles.
“The Olympics singles alternate scenario is ridiculous. Gamers that don’t even/cannot play singles at highest stage getting the decision is dumb,” 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick wrote on X.
Responding to Roddick’s declare, his former coach Gilbert totally agreed.
“Ridiculous to not have a minimum of a few alternates on web site, additionally approach to many late pullouts after the draw made, ought to face some type of penalty,” Gilbert wrote.
ridiculous to not have a minimum of a few alternates on web site, additionally approach to many late pullouts after the draw ✍️ made, ought to face some type of penalty
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 28, 2024
Gauff’s coach Gilbert totally agrees with Djokovic
On Saturday, Djokovic made a really dominant begin on the Olympics after demolishing former world No. 39 Ebden. However after the match, Djokovic did not rejoice an excessive amount of. As an alternative, he identified how Ebden mustn’t have been put in such a scenario as a result of it simply wasn’t truthful.
When making that clear, Djokovic additionally ripped the present guidelines relating to the withdrawals and replacements as “illogical” and added that they solely “harm” the game.
“Look, I actually don’t perceive the principles they’re a bit, actually not logical for me,” Djokovic stated.
“You realize that you’ve got if any individual withdraws or cancels earlier than or when the draw is made then you definitely name doubles gamers to play singles. I don’t suppose it’s a very good picture for the game, to be sincere. There have been lots of singles gamers that had loads of time, that had been alternates, that might’ve been referred to as to come back.
“So this half I don’t get, I actually hope the ITF together with the Olympics will take into account altering this rule as a result of it’s robust on Matthew as a result of, he hasn’t performed I assume a singles observe in two years.
“He’s instructed me it’s been over two years [since] he performed a singles match, this was his final singles match, he’s formally retired [from singles]. So not an amazing feeling for him being on the courtroom like that however it’s what it’s. As I stated, I’m pleased with overcoming the hurdle the best way I did within the first match. Tomorrow I’ll have a day of coaching and getting ready for the primary match.”
Djokovic additionally referred to as for a rule change
After reigning Australian Open champion Sinner withdrew from the Olympics, many thought that it could have been excellent if fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini was referred to as as much as be his alternative. However the present rule does not permit that.
As an alternative, some prime gamers had been changed by doubles gamers – who with all due respect – stood slim to none likelihood of profitable a match or making any run on the Olympics.
And the document 24-time Grand Slam champion believes it is time to put an finish to that rule as soon as and for all.
“I don’t suppose the principles are nice in any respect. I believe that should change and it’s been occurring each Olympic Video games that I used to be a part of, that is my fifth. I simply don’t perceive why, when you have time, if it’s in Europe – a lot of the different gamers are in Europe, some are within the States,” Djokovic defined.
“However there was lots of gamers that had been alternates they usually had been prepared to come back, inside half a day they’d be right here. So I simply don’t get this rule, I hope they may change it. It’s not an amazing picture for tennis and as you talked about, Berrettini was a kind of gamers that might simply be enjoying on this match.”
