Olympics 'a dream come true' for De Minaur as Australia reveal team
Alex De Minaur has described the opportunity to represent Australia at an Olympic Games as a ‘dream come true’ after Australia announced its team for Paris 2024 on Wednesday.
The world No. 9, who had to withdraw with Covid on the eve of his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, heads up an Australian squad that includes Ajla Tomljanovic, Matt Ebden, Ellen Perez, Alexei Popyrin, Chris O’Connell, Rinky Hiijikata, Daria Saville and John Peers at the Games on 27 July – 4 August.
“It feels great, it’s a dream come true,” the 25-year-old told Tennis Australia. “I’ve always wanted to be an Olympian. I’m super excited to be able to represent the green and gold in Paris.
“It’s going to be extra special, that’s for sure, to play my first Olympic Games. Obviously last time around I got a little bit unlucky to not be able to be in Tokyo and I’ve had my eye set on Paris and I’m super excited to be a part of the team.”
De Minaur will go for a medal in the men’s singles alongside world No. 47 Popyrin, No. 76 O’Connell and No.75 Hijikata.
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De Minaur will also team up with Popyrin in the men’s doubles event, while Matt Ebden will pair with John Peers, who won mixed doubles bronze alongside Ashleigh Barty at Tokyo 2020.
Though currently the world No. 135, Tomljanovic enters the women’s singles using a WTA special ranking and will make her second Olympic appearance, while Ellen Perez and Daria Saville, returning to the Games for the first time since Rio 2016, will pair up in the women’s doubles.
The ITF will announce the full list of entries into the men's and women's events at Paris 2024 here on 4 July, while entries into the mixed doubles will be confirmed on 24 July.