Tennis has had a rich history at the Olympics. It was one of the few sports that were played in the inaugural Olympic Games way back in 1896. But after disappearing from the World Games for over 20 years, it finally made it’s return to the Summer Games in 1988. Now, with the Paris Olympics right around the corner, and Tennis being one of the most important events in it, let’s take a look a some of the most Iconic Tennis Moments at the Olympics since the sport was welcomed back in 1988.
1. Steffi Graf became the first and only Tennis player to complete a Calendar Gold Slam in 1988
1988 is better known as the “Steffi Graf year”. In a single Calendar year, the German Tennis player won all 4 Grand Slam titles, and to top it all off, she even won the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In the world of Tennis, this achievement is known as completing the “Golden Slam”, and to date, Steffi Graf’s Golden Slam in 1988 remains the only such achievement in the history of the sport.
2. 16-Year-Old Capriati, 16, shocks Graf in Barcelona, 1992
Going up against the absolute best in Steffi Graf, was Jennifer Capriati, a 16-year-old American. The showdown between the 22-time Grand Slam champion and the rookie American did not go the way the whole world expected it to. It was the American who emerged victorious over Graf in Barcelona. It was also the last time till Paris 2024, that Tennis at the Olympics was played on a clay court.
3. Leander Paes creates history in Atlanta
In 1996, Leander Paes made India proud after securing the first individual medal in the country’s history in 44 years. After suffering a disappointing exit in Barcelona in 1992, Paes was able to overcome his disappointment and won the Bronze medal in the Men’s Singles event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics after defeating Fernando Meligeni in the bronze-medal match.
4. Sydney 2000 – Birth of the Williams sisters
While both Venus and Serena Williams already had at least one Grand Slam to their names before the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it was here they won their first doubles Olympic Gold. A Feat that they would achieve twice later, in 2008 and 2012. Venus Williams also won the Olympic Gold in the Singles category at the Sydney Olympics.
5. 2004 Athens- Chilean Jubilation
The South American country of Chile had to wait until 2004 to win its first-ever Olympic Gold. And the 3 players who made it a reality were Nicolas Massu & Fernando Gonzalez. The Chilean duo saved a record 4 match points during what was an exhilarating affair against the Germans, in the end winning the first-ever Olympic Gold for their country.
6. First podium sweep in 100 years for Russia in Beijing, 2008
Elena Dementieva, Dinara Safina, and Vera Zvonareva won Gold, Silver, and Bronze respectively for Russia in the Women’s singles event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This was the first podium sweep in 100 years in the sport of Tennis at the Olympics.
7. Serena Dominates Sharapova and dances on her grave in 2012
On the Wimbledon Centre Court after securing a gold medal in the Women’s singles category at the 2012 London Games, Serena Williams did a little crip-walk to celebrate her 1st Olympic Gold in the event. But what actually stands out from that day is her thrashing of Maria Sharapova in two straight sets with the Russian winning only a solitary game in the whole match. It ended with a score of 6-0, 6-1 in favour of Serena.
8. Andy Murray’s back-to-back Olympic Gold
After securing a dream Olympic Gold at home after beating Roger Federer on the Wimbledon Centre Court in 2012, Andy Murray was back on the hunt in 2016 to defend his place. In doing so, he became the first Tennis Player ever to win back-to-back gold medals after he beat the Argentinian Juan Martín del Potro in Rio de Janeiro.
9. World no. 34 wins Olympic Gold at Rio, 2016
The then World No. 34th Monica Puig’s victory in the Rio 2016 Olympics marked Puerto Rico’s first gold medal, making her the first female Puerto Rican Olympic medalist. Overcoming odds, she defeated Angelique Kerber, inspiring her homeland and Latin American women with her historic win.
10. Naomi Osaka becomes first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron
While this one isn’t an iconic moment on the Tennis court, it still is very iconic in the context of Tennis as a sport. The 4-time Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka became the first ever Tennis player in history to light the prestigious Olympic Cauldron during the 2020 Tokyo Games.
