Sports

At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, tennis is as odd a fit as ever

Published

1 year ago

July 20, 2024

At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, tennis is as odd a fit as ever

For many, tennis and the Olympics are an odd combination, and never more so than for the Paris Games in 2024.

A little more than a month after the best tennis players in the world left the red clay of Roland Garros, they are headed right back onto it at a time of year when they are supposed to be getting started on the hard court swing through North America.

A dozen years ago, in the halcyon days of the London Olympics, players basically just moved across town, from Wimbledon to the Olympic Village, then commuted to the All England Club, where the most important tournament had just concluded, for another one. Easy-peasy. Ever since, not so much.

In 2016, the big question ahead of the Rio Games was who wanted to schlep to South America and risk getting Zika, the mosquito-born virus that was on a low-key rage through Brazil. In 2021, dealing with COVID restrictions and testing, and playing in empty stadiums in a climate that felt like the surface of the sun was part of the bargain in Tokyo.

Great Britain’s Andy Murray won his second consecutive Olympic gold at the 2016 Olympics. (Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)

This year, it’s the oddball transition from the slowest surface in tennis (clay) to one of the fastest ones (the grass of Wimbledon) then back to the slow clay, then over to North America’s hard courts for a compressed U.S. Open tune-up run.

This is heaven for a player like Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1 and a clay-court savant. She’s probably one of the rare athletes heading to Paris in any sport who can basically drive in and pick up her gold medal. She just doesn’t lose at Roland Garros, where she has won the French Open four of the past five years.

For almost everyone else, it’s complicated.

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Three top Americans, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Sebastian Korda, have all passed. Too much time on the road. Too much hard-court prep work to do ahead of the U.S. Open, which is the most important Grand Slam of the year for many Americans.

Tiafoe, the child of immigrants from Sierra Leone whose love for his country and representing it is deep, said it was a tough call, but not so much because of the tennis tournament, or the chance to win a medal. He’s a basketball nut and thinks this is the only time LeBron James and Stephen Curry will play together in an Olympics.

“That’s going to be iconic,” said Tiafoe, who is confident he will still be good enough to make the team when the Summer Games take place in Los Angeles in four years’ time.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the two-time defending Australian Open champion, and Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, have also taken a pass, citing concerns about injuries.

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“I’m really curious how players will play the Olympics and the hard-court season,” said Jabeur, who has been struggling with a knee injury all year, which she could exacerbate by changing surfaces so dramatically. “Honestly, it’s going to be very tough.”

Everyone who passes, though, opens up an opportunity for someone who wouldn’t miss it for the world. Chris Eubanks was sixth on the list of U.S. players eligible to fill one of four U.S. spots in singles. When he got the call-up, he relished the chance to play in a team event but also to soak up the spirit of the Games.

Clay is his worst surface.

“I’ll figure it out,” he said.

The opening ceremony takes place the night before the start of the tennis tournament. He might have to play the next morning.

Japan’s Naomi Osaka lighting the Olympic torch at the 2020 Tokyo Games. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

“Don’t care,” he said. “Not missing that.”

Christian Coleman, the American sprinter, was in Eubanks’ fifth-grade class. They’ve been buddies ever since. Now, they will be Olympians together. Coleman was selected for the U.S. relay squad.

“How cool is that?” he said.

Last week, the International Tennis Federation, which runs the Olympic tournament, bragged that 22 of the top 30 women and men had committed to participating. So has Rafael Nadal, who is going to play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz in what should be one of the showcase events of the Games.

Assuming his knee holds up, Novak Djokovic, who underwent meniscus surgery on June 5 but managed to reach the Wimbledon final, will be there, too. Despite winning 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic has never won an Olympic gold medal in four tries. It’s the most surprising hole in his resume. He was the man about the Games in Tokyo, doing splits with gymnasts in the Olympic Village gym, getting loud and rowdy with other Serbian athletes as they watched events together, and posing for selfies with just about anyone.

Novak Djokovic did win an Olympic bronze medal in Beijing in 2008. (Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)

That’s the glass nearly three-quarters full, or is it more than a quarter empty?

Nearly four decades after its return to the Olympic program following a 64-year respite, tennis remains in a bit of an oddball spot at the Games. It features some of the biggest stars in the sport, but a gold medal isn’t looked at with the same luster as a Grand Slam title, unless you are someone like Alexander Zverev or Belinda Bencic, gold medalists who have not won Grand Slam singles titles.

Dave Haggerty, the president of the ITF, said the sport’s reentry into the Olympics has been one of the keys to its growth since 1988. Participation has more than doubled to roughly 100 million players. There are now 213 countries with tennis federations compared with 104 in 1988. Of those, 157 compete in the national team event for men, the Davis Cup, and 138 compete in the women’s Billie Jean King Cup, compared with 51 and fewer than 40 in 1988.

“It’s not a traditional tennis audience,” Haggerty said. “It’s an opportunity for us to get a different audience.”

Just as they did when they draped Wimbledon in pink in 2012, organizers plan to dress up Roland Garros so it doesn’t simply look like a smaller version of the French Open.

They will have to cover up the Rolex signs since Omega is the Olympic sponsor. There is also no electronic line calling, no prize money, and probably more importantly, no rankings points. With no chance to earn rankings points, Denis Shapovalov, the Canadian star trying to work his way back from an injury and desperate to get his ranking back to where he can be seeded for big tournaments, said he had little choice but to skip the Games.

Venus and Serena Williams have won eight Olympic gold medals — and 30 Grand Slam singles titles — between them. (Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)

Haggerty said the purity of competing for a medal and nothing else provides its own quadrennial allure. Easy for him to say — he’s not giving up as much as two weeks’ salary to participate. There is also the draw of the spectacle of the Olympic Games and the break it provides from the hamster wheel of the regular tour. Plenty of players would spend a week competing on gravel if it came with an opportunity to march — or in this case, ride a ferry down the Seine — in the opening ceremony and spend a week living and/or socializing among 10,000 of the best athletes in the world at their chosen pursuits in the Olympic Village.

“Me and Emma already have our plan for trading pins and getting all around the village,” said Danielle Collins, who will team up with Emma Navarro on the American team. “Total bucket list item for me.”

Coco Gauff wants to win a medal but also meet Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast ever, and Sha’Carri Richardson, the gold medal favorite in the 100 meters, and wants to hook up once more with two other American runners, Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

It turns out Daniil Medvedev is an Olympics guy, too. “Very easy decision,” he said, claiming he loved the atmosphere in Tokyo, which because of all the COVID restrictions, was probably the worst Summer Olympics atmosphere ever. Given that, Medvedev, a Russian who will compete as a neutral athlete because of his country’s invasion of Ukraine, is going to have himself a time in Paris.

“I know if I’m thinking strictly about my personal career, it’s better to go to Canada, prepare for hard courts,” Medvedev said last week. “When I’m 40, if I can say I played in Tokyo Olympics, Paris Olympics, Los Angeles Olympics, I had a lot of fun in my life, my career, I’m going to be happy.”

Alcaraz, who turned 21 in May, is practically frothing at the mouth to play in his first Olympic Games. He said he is going to “give 100 percent for my country,” and then figure out what his pre-U.S. Open schedule will look like.

“I have to think about it,” he said.

He will have plenty of fellow players to consult.

(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photo: Abbie Parr / Getty Images)

Sports

College Football Playoff rankings: Oregon climbs after win over USC

Published

15 hours ago

November 26, 2025

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The latest College Football Playoff rankings showed minimal movement as the college football regular season approaches its final week.

One notable change from last week saw Oregon overtake Ole Miss, swapping the No. 6 and No. 7 spots.

Oregon’s win over USC moved the Ducks ahead of Ole Miss during the Rebels’ bye week.

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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) looks for an opening in the Southern California defense during the second half Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

The other meaningful shift was Miami’s move to No. 11 in a switch with Utah after the Utes gave up 472 yards rushing in a tight win over Kansas State.

There are two more rounds of rankings to be revealed, ending on Dec. 7, when the rankings will set the bracket for the 12-team playoff starting Dec. 19,

CFP COMMITTEE EXPLAINS KEEPING INDIANA AT NO. 2 AFTER CLOSE CALL VS. PENN STATE IN LATEST RANKINGS

Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) celebrates a touchdown pass with offensive lineman Adedamola Ajani (72) during the fourth quarter against Penn State in State College, Pa., Nov. 8, 2025. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)

Ohio State and Indiana will play in what should be a No. 1 vs. No. 2 Big Ten title game if both win rivalry games on the road over Thanksgiving weekend. Ohio State’s task is more difficult against Michigan, which moved up three spots to No. 15. Indiana plays Purdue.

No. 10 Alabama plays at Auburn with a spot in the Southeastern Conference title game on the line. The Tide’s opponent would be Texas A&M if the Aggies win at No. 16 Texas.

Here are the full rankings:

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The College Football Playoff national championship trophy Jan. 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

Ohio State
Indiana
Texas A&M
Georgia
Texas Tech
Oregon
Ole Miss
Oklahoma
Notre Dame
Alabama
Miami
Tulane

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.

Sports

High school basketball: Boys’ and girls’ scores from Tuesday

Published

16 hours ago

November 26, 2025

Press Room

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

TUESDAY’S RESULTS
BOYS
SOUTHERN SECTION
Beckman 44, Dana Hills 35
Big Bear 79, Rim of the World 61
Bolsa Grande 51, EF Academy 19
California 76, Huntington Beach 56
Camarillo 51, Vasquez 49
Canyon Country Canyon 78, Buckley 74
Cathedral 57, La Serna 52
Chadwick 56, Highland 31
Chaminade 54, Valencia 40
Corona 73, Jurupa Hills 70
Corona Santiago 69, Hillcrest 54
Crespi 84, Golden Valley 68
Crossroads 92, St. Paul 30
Crossroads Christian 60, Downey Calvary Chapel 36
de Toledo 53, St. Monica Academy 50
Diamond Ranch 58, La Palma Kennedy 52
Dos Pueblos 88, Lompoc 41
Eastside 70, Rosamond 28
Esperanza 71, Northwood 62
El Toro 68, Westminster La Quinta 56
Etiwanda 65, Norte Vista 55
Fontana 49, Arlington 39
Foothill Tech 72, Del Sol 44
Fullerton 70, Orange 21
Garden Grove 74, Workman 18
Garden Grove Pacifica 76, Loara 45
Grace 56, Santa Clarita Christian 42
Harvard-Westlake 82, Millikan 73
Indian Springs 46, Norco 42
Laguna Hills 70, Yorba Linda 59
La Habra 71, Cerritos 47
La Mirada 78, Eastvale Roosevelt 76
Legacy Christian 69, Milken 50
Los Amigos 83, Whitney 44
Los Alamitos 67, San Clemente 60
Norwalk 60, South El Monte 49
Orcutt Academy 50, Carpinteria 31
Palm Desert 62, Upland 49
Paloma Valley 69, Garey 16
Perris 59, San Jacinto Valley Academy 39
Rancho Cucamonga 75, Oak Hills 70
Redlands East Valley 66, Chaffey 49
San Dimas 74, Laguna Beach 50
San Luis Obispo 72, Nordhoff 22
San Marcos 47, Oak Park 46
San Marino 55, South Hills 38
Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 65, Rancho Alamitos 29
Santa Fe Christian 77, Rancho Christian 72
Santa Margarita 71, Bakersfield Christian 39
Santa Paula 83, Saddleback 65
Saugus 52, West Covina 32
Silverado 58, Riverside North 25
South Torrance 61, Keppel 55
St. Monica 72, Culver City 50
Temecula Prep 77, Cornerstone Christian 19
Temecula Valley 71, Arrowhead Christian 52
Tustin 50, Segerstrom 38
University Prep 51, HMSA 44
Verbum Dei 64, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 55
Villa Park 68, Peninsula 49
West Torrance 49, Palos Verdes 43
Windward 67, Simi Valley 37
Woodcrest Christian 76, California Lutheran 57

INTERSECTIONAL
Capistrano Valley 69, LACES 48
Carlsbad 58, Fairmont Prep 55
Downey 70, Gardena 53
Franklin 58, Gabrielino 48
Mira Mesa 67, Linfield Christian 50
Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 80, Carson 45
Palmdale Aerospace Academy 61, Bakersfield Highland 51
Pasadena Poly 87, New West Charter 22
Pioneer 73, Maywood Academy 41
Rolling Hills Prep 68, San Pedro 48
Woodbridge 74, Mt. Carmel 54

GIRLS
SOUTHERN SECTION
Barstow 46, Duarte 29
Beckman 55, Eastvale Roosevelt 35
Buena Park 51, Santa Monica 30
Cantwell-Sacred Heart 44, Rosemead 21
Canyon Springs 47, Elsinore 33
Chaparral 62, Silverado 30
Chino Hills 52, Corona Santiago 33
Colony 56, Montclair 12
Covina 31, San Gabriel Academy 18
Crean Lutheran 58, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 20
Etiwanda 87, Lynwood 41
Fillmore 47, Simi Valley 31
Garden Grove 44, Westminster La Quinta 25
Hacienda Heights Wilson 62, Schurr 50
Heritage 76, Liberty 17
Hesperia Christian 43, Western Christian 38
Indian Springs 44, Colton 35
Lakewood St. Joseph 62, West Covina 18
Lancaster 40, Hart 39
Lawndale 52, Ramona Convent 18
Loara 62, Westminster 33
Long Beach Wilson 66, Mayfair 22
Los Alamitos 58, Cerritos 48
Maranatha 56, Pasadena Marshall 24
Marina 51, Anaheim Canyon 35
Mater Dei 72, Bishop Montgomery 33
Mission Viejo 34, Northwood 32
Newbury Park 52, Santa Clara 2
North Torrance 59, Bakersfield Liberty 31
Oak Park 69, Canyon Country Canyon 47
Oaks Christian 49, Rio Mesa 31
Orange Lutheran 39, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 32
Palmdale 32, Long Beach Cabrillo 9
Palm Springs 53, Desert Hot Springs 28
Pasadena Poly 55, Immaculate Heart 34
Redondo Union 76, Santa Maria St. Joseph 55
Rialto 64, Rancho Cucamonga 55
Riverside King 63, Upland 33
San Clemente 56, Chaminade 19
San Marino 59, Pasadena Marshall 10
Santa Fe 45, Pilibos 38
Savanna 51, Placentia Valencia 33
Segerstrom 93, Norwalk 32
St. Anthony 62, Claremont 40
Sunny Hills 68, Sierra Vista 43
Temecula Valley 44, Temecula Prep 6
Valencia 76, Moorpark 23
West Ranch 59, Mary Star of the Sea 28
Whittier 41, La Habra 39
Xavier Prep 49, Desert Christian Academy 32

INTERSECTIONAL
Birmingham 57, Walnut 44
Burbank 85, Rise Kohyang 3
Carondelet 46, Harvard-Westlake 34
El Dorado 57, Bakersfield Frontier 52
Granada Hills 66, Louisville 32
King/Drew 57. Lakewood 40
La Jolla Country Day 61, Brentwood 46
Los Amigos 32, Narbonne 23
North County San Marcos 72, Irvine 36
Ontario 49, Garfield 35
Portola Valley Priory 60, Windward 58
Rosary Academy 58, Red Mountain (AZ) 15
Sacred Heart of Jesus 60, Bravo 10
Westchester 61, Culver City 37

Sports

Golf star impressed with Kai Trump’s LPGA debut despite poor results: ‘Great opportunity’

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Golf star impressed with Kai Trump’s LPGA debut despite poor results: ‘Great opportunity’

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Kai Trump’s LPGA debut did not go exactly as she planned.

The 18-year-old high school senior shot a first-round 83 at The ANNIKA at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, putting her in last place out of 108 players through one round. The next day, she bounced back with a five-over 75, but it wasn’t enough to make the cut.

It was invaluable experience for Trump, who will play college golf at the University of Miami next year.

Kai Trump hits a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of The ANNIKA golf tournament at Pelican Golf Club. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)

Bryson DeChambeau , who shared a hug with the president’s granddaughter at the Ryder Cup, was impressed with Trump’s showing.

“She shot five-over the second round, which is really, it’s actually really impressive. We didn’t know how she was going to do, she handled herself very well, and what a great opportunity,” DeChambeau told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

“I was talking to [tournament host] Annika [Sorenstam]. She’s a part of the council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, and we were just talking about how, you know, ‘What do you think about it?’ We were both talking, and this is a great opportunity. She’s like, ‘There’s plenty of others that have gotten invites that didn’t do well, but it was a great experience for them. And I think it’s going to be a great experience for her.’

Amateur Kai Trump of the United States plays her shot from the 16th tee during the first round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 at Pelican Golf Club on November 13, 2025 in Belleair, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

MIAMI GOLF COACH PRAISES KAI TRUMP’S POISE, POTENTIAL AS SHE MAKES LPGA DEBUT

“It was awesome to see her go out there and compete doing what she loves doing, and she’s getting better,” DeChambeau added. “We’ll see what the story has for her, but she’s a grinder and a competitor, and it’s fun to see her out there competing with some of the best in the world, even though there’s a long way to go, but she is a grinder. You never know.”

After finishing her second round, Trump said she felt more “peaceful” compared to the first, which led to the improvement.

Kai Trump tees off during the final round of the Medalist Tour tournament at Lost City Golf Club on July 17, 2025 in Atlantis, Florida. (Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post / USA Today Network via IMAGN Images)

“For the first day I was definitely really nervous. I think the nerves just got to me,” she said. “When I went out there today, I felt very calm and peaceful, to be honest with you. That’s why I played better. I did everything I could possibly have done for this tournament. So, I think if you prepare right, the nerves can … they’re always going to be there, right? They can be a little softened. So, I would just say that.”

Trump officially committed to the Hurricanes earlier this month.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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