Blue skies over Roland-Garros? French hopes at Paris 2024...
Faced with expectations, pressure, and an overwhelming pride at the chance to represent France at a home Olympic Games, just how ready are the French athletes to start their campaigns at Paris 2024?
Stars in their (Blue) Eyes
Four women and six men will compete for France at the 2024 Olympic Tennis Event. And while they certainly do not start with the label of favourites, they all share the same dream of winning a medal and intend to fully enjoy this unique home experience, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for top-level athletes.
No pressure, then, but high ambitions and the desire to delight a crowd whose enthusiastic support should drive them to excel. Having been fine-tuning their games on the courts of the Porte d’Auteuil and at Club France (Porte de la Villette) over the past week, they recently spoke with the FFT about the upcoming Games.
Caroline Garcia
World No. 25
Schedule:
1st round women’s singles against Jaqueline Cristian
1st round women’s doubles against Rus/Schuurs
1st round mixed doubles against Nishikori/Shibahara
"I am really super happy and honoured to participate in these Games. It’s a huge opportunity to play here in Paris for us athletes. For me, it means a lot to be able to be part of this beautiful celebration of sport."
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Clara Burel
World No. 44
Schedule:
1st round women’s singles against Katerina Siniakova
1st round women’s doubles against Dabrowski/Fernandez
"The stadium with these rings, these colours, it's magnificent. What a pleasure to be here, what a chance too! Having this French team jersey on my shoulders is a great pride."
Diane Parry
World No. 52
Schedule:
1st round women’s singles against Nadia Podoroska
1st round women’s doubles against Rus/Schuurs
"This selection means a lot to me. It’s already something amazing for an athlete to participate in the Games. But here, playing at Roland-Garros, in France, it’s outstanding. It’s kind of a dream come true."
Varvara Gracheva
World No. 68
Schedule:
1st round women’s singles against Beatriz Haddad Maia
1st round women’s doubles against Dabrowski/Fernandez
"Competing in the Games is huge for me, I didn’t expect it before my performance at Roland-Garros. There was a lot of positive energy with the French public during the last tournament. I hope to find that again here!"
Ugo Humbert
World No. 15
Schedule:
1st round men’s singles against Fabian Marozsan
1st round men’s doubles against Gille/Vliegen
"This is a completely different Roland-Garros. For now, the aisles are a bit empty, but the colours are beautiful, and the atmosphere should change soon! [...] For all the athletes, it's going to be an extraordinary moment and strong emotions to share with the French fans who will come to support us."
Arthur Fils
World No. 20
Schedule:
1st round men’s singles against Matteo Arnaldi
1st round men’s doubles against Gille/Vliegen
"I watched the Games a lot when I was a child, especially athletics. I also have many athlete friends who will participate. In Paris, in front of my family and friends, there is nothing more beautiful than simply being able to participate in this event."
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Gaël Monfils (world No. 30, 4th participation)
Schedule: 1st round men’s singles against Lorenzo Musetti
"This will be my fourth participation in the Games, but this one obviously has a special flavour. In France... Roland-Garros... It was a goal and even a dream to be able to qualify. To be able to experience it today... I have no words!"
Corentin Moutet
World No. 68
Schedule: 1st round men’s singles against Sumit Nagal
"Being an Olympic athlete means a lot to me. I am super proud to be part of this great French team. And I am super happy that for my first time, it’s happening in Paris."
Edouard Roger-Vasselin
World No. 11 in doubles
Schedule:
1st round men’s doubles against Balaji/Bopanna
1st round mixed doubles against Nishikori/Shibahara
"What more could one dream of? Already, every year at Roland-Garros, I realize how lucky we are to have a Grand Slam at home. Now, for the Olympic Games, with this superb setting, the rings displayed in the stadium, it’s pretty crazy to think about what awaits us."
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Fabien Reboul
Doubles world No. 34
Schedule:
1st round men’s doubles against Balaji/Bopanna
"It’s incredible to have this jersey on my shoulders! As a kid, I watched the Games a lot. I spent hours in front of the TV. I discovered new sports... Being an athlete on the French Olympic team is a dream I am living today."