ITF Press Release, June 10, 2024
Lebanon’s Benjamin Hassan and Danka Kovinic, of Montenegro, are the first two players confirmed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Tennis Event after both were awarded Universality Places into the men’s and women’s singles events.
Universality Places are awarded to nations who are under-represented in the Olympic Games and allocated to National Olympic Committees by the Olympic Games Tripartite Commission in consultation with the ITF – event organisers on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Hassan will be the first player from Lebanon to take part in an Olympic Tennis Event, while Kovinic, who became the first Montenegrin to take part in tennis at the Games at Rio 2016, is set for her second Olympic appearance.
Kovinic said: “It’s always a great pleasure representing my country, especially at the Olympics. This means even more for me, knowing I had to withdraw from Tokyo 2020 at the last minute due to an injury. I genuinely hope the Games in Paris will be another great experience for myself and that I can embrace all the atmosphere the Olympics can bring to the athletes.”
Hassan said: “Growing up, playing tennis has always been my passion and I had a dream of reaching stellar positions and representing my country in international tournaments. Taking part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Tennis Event is an important milestone in realising my dreams.”
Regarding direct acceptances into each of the men’s and women’s singles and doubles events at Paris 2024, as per the ITF Qualification System, the ATP and WTA rankings of 10 June will be used for entry.
As part of the eligibility criteria for the Olympic Tennis Event, players must also:
- Have been part of the final nominated Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup team, and present at the tie/event on a minimum of two occasions during the Olympic Cycle, provided that one of those occasions was in either 2023 or 2024.
- Be in good standing with their National Association.
Any player who did not meet the above criteria had to apply to the ITF Olympic Committee for an exemption.
