[ChrisGermany]

We all know now what I hoped for as long as Sveta/Martina made their way up to the top4 in doubles this year:

Martina is keen on playing the Olympics next year before retiring.

But is it really possible for her ? I read somewhere that you have to be in FedCup twice between 2001 and 2004 and once between 2001/2002 and once between 2003/2004 that is. Wasn´t it ?

If this stuff isn´t the case anymore, let me say that a number of players won´t go to Athens 2004 because it´s so close to the US Open and only those who never been to the Olympics will make themselves available. The case regarding the US should be extremely interesting. I assume that only 3 singles and 1 added doubles player are able to go, wasn´t it.

We have Serena Venus Lindsay Jenn Chanda Meghann ( Monica )

Lisa & Martina N

I would say that no other singles player except the mentioned 4 and Monica added for sentimental reasons if coming back strong in 2004 would be able to go. Meghann and Chanda played FedCup, yes, and they are top10/20 potential, but -if still playing- I see the mentioned 4 as the ones to be chosen. I doubt though that all 4 would be willing to go. I think Lindsay concentrates on the US Open, Jenn should be hot to go but without solving the BJK problem how should she. The Williams, it should be interesting if having won a gold medal once if they are willing to repeat it. I doubt that. We have all singles spots for the US left wide open, therefore even Meghann, Chanda, Lisa or Ashley are "in" for singles.

But if Lisa is "in" for singles, there´s a doubles spot left open, maybe one that makes Lisa/Martina N a team for Athens. With such a weak team for Belgium this forthcoming FedCup in Moscow, I think BJK might make it possible for Martina to go to Athens if nominating her in doubles. Maybe a test for Athens too. Think if Lisa, Martina, Meghann and Chanda as the FedCup team in Moscow.

Who do you think is to got to the Olympics for the US singles and doubles ?

 

[Sam L]

I didn't know Martina was keen on playing doubles. I think it's definitely a possibility. Imagine if she actually wins the gold medal!

 

[Knizzle]

It all depends if the WS want to play doubles or not. I doubt BJK will deny the WS just so Nav can play doubles. The WS will probably both be playing singles though, so they very well may not want to play doubles.

 

[Kart]

I'm trying to resist the urge to bash BJK as I already have once this week - so I'll just say I wouldn't expect her to take Martina as she'd probably use the Williams sisters for doubles.

If that's not possible then I'd expect her to take Martina and play her with whoever.

 

[bandabou]

Yep, this isn´t really in Martina´s hands. It´s all on what the Williamses want or don´t want to do.

 

[ChrisGermany]

But we all know WHEN the Olympics are and we highly doubt that the Williams risk a Grand Slam just for a medal they already have

I would say that both the Williams do not play in Athens

 

[bandabou]

But we all know WHEN the Olympics are and we highly doubt that the Williams risk a Grand Slam just for a medal they already have

I would say that both the Williams do not play in Athens

Serena doesn´t have a singles-gold medal, so I think she would like to add that to her collection.

 

[Sammm]

Martina needed to make herself AVAILABLE for Fed Cup ties,not play.
Anyway, Venus already has 2 golds, does she really need more!? Serena and martina should play together.

 

[SanTaureau Fan]

I hope Navratilova won't be picked. Give other players a chance to play that special event. It's only every 4 years. With the career she had she doesn't need that!!!

 

[Fantastic]

If the Olympics were next week, the team would look like this:

Singles: Chanda Rubin, Meghann Shaughnessy, Lisa Raymond.
Doubles: Lisa Raymond & Chanda Rubin.

However, I think BJK may select the following:

Singles: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Lindsay Davenport.
Doubles: Serena Williams & Venus Williams.

 

[Paneru]

Serena doesn´t have a singles-gold medal, so I think she would like to add that to her collection.

I agree!

And Venus said she had never felt prouder than at the moment
when she got the gold and the national anthem played. Also made mention of always watching them at home and seeing the tennis matches during the 88' Olympics.

Their is about a two or three week gap between the Olympics and US Open. Seeing as both have played in tournaments a week before the GS and the fact that they'll have no points to defend during the summer hardcourt season, I think both will want to go.

If all is well health wise, I think
Venus will want to defend her single's title,
Serena will want to vie for it, and as for Navratilova,
It'll come down to wheather or not the sisters want to defend their title.

 

[Sammm]

I don't think BJK will choose davenport.

 

[alfajeffster]

Billie Jean's fantasy picks:

Jennifer Capriati- singles
Lindsay Davenport/Jennifer Capriati- doubles

But only if she makes the requisite number of courtesy phone calls during the year... :lol:

 

[Sammm]

:lol:

 

[mishar]

Chris, I understand what you're saying and I think you're correct. I highly doubt that many of the top players will want to play the Olympics. It is the week of Canadian Open, and on red clay. So they would have to come into the US Open with no hard court tournaments (perhaps they could play in New Haven). I think for Jennifer and Lindsay it's the tournament they care most about, their best time of year, they certainly don't want to risk it (and I doubt Lindsay is eager to play on clay). And while I'm sure venus and serena would love to represent their country again, they both missed the USO 2003 and I'm sure, if healthy, it will be a high priority for them and they have always been very careful about not overscheduling. Perhaps serena, since she hasn't won an individual gold, will participate. Perhaps Monica, if she makes a strong comeback in 2004.
I don't know how BJK would choose between Chanda, Lisa, martina. What if Martina is ranked higher in doubles? Maybe Martina/Chanda would be the doubles team. It seems unfair to exclude Chanda, because she really could play singles and doubles.
We'll see what happens at Fed Cup.

 

[Brian Stewart]

Actually, the US will have 4 singles slots available, not 3, because the WTA agreed to award ranking points for the Olympics. (Don't know how they're going to pull that off.) This means other countries with a lot of highly-ranked players (like Russia) can also send 4 singles players.

You don't have to play Fed Cup to be elgible. You only have to make yourself available to play. However, if the captain calls you to play, then you have to.

 

[347]

I dont know why so many people assume the Olympics are going to be on clay. They will be played on the same surface, and with the same ball as the US Open.

 

[Trish101]

Jennifer already said she wanted to go to athens in 04....she said shed love nothing more, and as for the points...the WTA will probably give the olympic winner the same amout of points thed give a tier 1 winner...or even a grand slam champion (it is considered a 'slam' the 'golden slam' )

 

[mishar]

Jon -- why do you say that? I looked up some Athens site and it said something about clay, but perhaps Im mistaken.

 

[Knizzle]

Jennifer already said she wanted to go to athens in 04....she said shed love nothing more, and as for the points...the WTA will probably give the olympic winner the same amout of points thed give a tier 1 winner...or even a grand slam champion (it is considered a 'slam' the 'golden slam' )

The Olympics aren't called the "golden slam". The "golden slam" is something made up to describe Steffi winning all four slams plus the gold medal in the same year.