Tennis Australia Press Release, June 26, 2024

The Australian Olympic Committee has announced nine tennis players to contest the Olympic tennis tournament at Roland Garros, one month From the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.

Current world number nine Alex de Minaur will make his long-awaited Olympic debut after being ruled out of Tokyo 2020 due to Covid, joined by fellow Olympic debutants Matt Ebden, Alexei Popyrin, Chris O’Connell and Rinky Hijikata.

Ajla Tomljanovic, Ellen Perez and Daria Saville return for their second Olympic Games, while John Peers will contest his third Olympics, equalling the second most Olympic appearances for an Australian men’s tennis player.

Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Chris O’Connell and Rinky Hijikata will take on the men’s singles, while current world no.1 doubles player Matt Ebden will team up with Tokyo 2020 mixed doubles bronze medallist John Peers in the men’s doubles. De Minaur and Popyrin will also compete in the men’s doubles.

On the women’s side Ajla Tomljanovic will take on the singles event, while world number nine doubles player Ellen Perez will partner Daria Saville in the women’s doubles.

Triple Olympian Lleyton Hewitt will captain the men’s team while Australia’s only five-time tennis Olympian Sam Stosur will lead the women’s team in Paris.

Today’s announcement takes the Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024 to 212 of an expected 460-strong team.

Paris 2024 Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Anna Meares congratulated the athletes on their selection.

“Being chosen to represent your country on the global stage is an incredible honour,” Ms Meares said.

“Congratulations to each of the players on this significant milestone. Forty-seven Australians have proudly taken to the Olympic tennis arena in our history, and I look forward to this team building on that legacy in Paris.

“Thank you to Tennis Australia and to the friends, families and supporters who have been instrumental in each of these athletes’ journey to this Australian Olympic Team.”

Roland Garros will host the tennis competition at Paris 2024, marking only the second time in Olympic history that the tournament will be played on clay, the first being Barcelona 1992.

Australia’s top ranked player, with nine career titles to his name, Alex de Minaur said it’s a dream come true to be selected to the Australian Olympic Team.

“I have always wanted to be an Olympian and I am just so excited to represent the green and gold in Paris,” he said.

“Obviously last time round I got a little bit unlucky to not be able to play in Tokyo, but I’ve had my eyes set on Paris and I am super excited to now be officially part of this Team.”

“Representing Australia is always a pride and an honour and the Olympic Games is probably one of the highest accolades you can achieve. It is so special and of course you want to do your best because you’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for your team and your country.”

“I am really looking forward to just immersing myself in what it means to be an Olympian, I am excited see all the other sports, meeting some of my fellow athletes and teammates and making some new Aussie friends.”

Tokyo Olympian Ajla Tomljanovic shared her excitement of making her second Olympic Team.

“It feels amazing to be selected to my second Olympic Team,” she said. “When Tokyo ended, I remember thinking to myself I have to work really hard to make it to Paris because being at the Olympics was a dream come true and I wanted to experience it again. So, to be officially selected feels great!”

“I am feeling good, I feel like every match I have under my belt brings me closer to the level of play I want to get to. Physically I am pulling up well after matches, which is the most important thing, so I am very happy with my health, and I think the more time I get on court the better I will be for Paris.”

World No.1 men’s doubles player Matt Ebden is one of five Aussie tennis players making their Olympic debut.

“This is one of the best feelings in the world to be selected to my debut Olympics,” he said. “As I’ve grown up and become more exposed to all the great things tennis has on offer, the Olympics has definitely been on my radar. Playing for your country is the ultimate honour, so to join the Australian Olympic Team is a life goal and a dream come true.

“I am looking forward to the village, the atmosphere and being amongst all the other athletes. I think as tennis players we are always out here individually, fighting for ourselves with our own teams.

“To be part of such a big group of world-class athletes all trying to win medals for Australia, the same goal, it’s going to be such a special feeling and I can’t wait to compete for my country.”

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley congratulated the Australian tennis team on their selection.

“Congratulations to our team named for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next month,” Mr Tiley said.

“Five players will make their debut, including Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Chris O’Connell, Rinky Hijikata and our world No.1 doubles player Matt Ebden.

“Our most recent Olympic medallist John Peers will appear in his third Games when he teams up with Ebden in the men’s doubles.

“Ajla Tomljanovic, world No.9 doubles player Ellen Perez and Daria Saville will compete in their second Olympics.

“We wish the team, led by captains, five-time Olympian Sam Stosur and three-time Olympian Lleyton Hewitt, the very best in Paris and look forward to following all their success.”

Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024 – Tennis

*Will have a birthday between selection date and Paris 2024.

*Note Mixed Doubles entries are submitted on 24 July.