Tennis, a sport enjoyed by millions around the world, has a rich and complex history in the Olympic Games.

Over the years, the relationship between tennis and the Olympics has evolved, reflecting the sport's journey from an amateur pastime to a professional global competition.

Let's trace the history of tennis in the Olympics, from its early inclusion to its temporary exclusion, and its triumphant return as a highly anticipated event.

Early Beginnings: Tennis at the First Modern Olympics

Tennis made its debut at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, just as the sport was beginning to gain popularity across Europe and the United States. At that time, the event was contested on outdoor grass courts, with only men allowed to compete. The singles and doubles events attracted athletes from across the globe, although the participation was limited mainly to European nations. The first Olympic tennis champion was John Pius Boland of Great Britain, who took home the gold in men's singles and also won gold in men's doubles.

By 1900, women were allowed to compete in the Olympics, making tennis one of the few sports at the time where both men and women could participate. Charlotte Cooper of Great Britain became the first female Olympic tennis champion, as well as the first woman to win an individual event in Olympic history, marking a significant milestone for women in sports.

Early Challenges and Decline

Despite its early success, tennis in the Olympics faced several challenges in the early 20th century. The main issue was the growing divide between amateurism and professionalism. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) insisted on maintaining the amateur status of athletes, while tennis, especially in the early 20th century, began to see the rise of professional players. The tension between amateur and professional tennis players became a major sticking point, causing friction between the sport's governing bodies and the IOC.

This friction culminated in tennis being dropped from the Olympic program after the 1924 Paris Games. At that time, tennis was seen as being too professional to be part of the amateur-driven Olympic movement. For more than half a century, tennis would remain absent from the Olympic schedule, leaving many fans and players disappointed.

The Return of Tennis to the Olympics

Efforts to bring tennis back to the Olympics began in the 1960s and 1970s, when the lines between amateur and professional sports started to blur. Tennis organizations and players around the world lobbied for the sport’s inclusion, and a breakthrough came in the 1980s. The advent of the Open Era in tennis, which allowed professional players to compete in major tournaments alongside amateurs, laid the groundwork for tennis to return to the Olympics.

In 1984, tennis made a brief return as a demonstration sport at the Los Angeles Games, signaling the sport's potential reintegration into the Olympics. Four years later, in 1988, tennis officially returned to the Olympic program at the Seoul Games, with both men’s and women’s singles and doubles events included.

The 1988 Games were a turning point, as the world’s top professional tennis players were finally allowed to compete. This led to increased global interest in Olympic tennis, with star athletes from around the world eager to win an Olympic gold medal. Some of the most iconic players in tennis history, including Steffi Graf, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams, have gone on to win Olympic titles, further cementing tennis as a key part of the Games.

Modern Olympic Tennis

Since its return in 1988, tennis has become a permanent fixture at the Olympic Games. The competition now features men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, which was reintroduced in 2012 at the London Games. The inclusion of mixed doubles has added a new layer of excitement, as it allows male and female players to team up and compete together.

The Olympic tennis tournament is unique because it takes place on different surfaces, depending on the host city. For example, the 2016 Rio Games were played on hard courts, while the 2020 Tokyo Games were also held on hard courts. This diversity of playing conditions adds a layer of unpredictability, as players must adapt to different surfaces that may not always align with their strengths.

Unlike other major tournaments, Olympic tennis does not award ranking points, which makes winning an Olympic gold medal more about national pride than personal gain. However, many of the world's top players still consider it a career-defining moment to represent their country and compete for an Olympic title.

Notable Olympic Moments in Tennis

Throughout its Olympic history, tennis has provided some unforgettable moments. One of the most famous came in 1988 when Germany's Steffi Graf won the gold medal in women's singles. This victory made her the first and only player to achieve the "Golden Slam," winning all four Grand Slam titles and the Olympic gold in the same year.

Another historic moment occurred at the 2016 Rio Olympics when Spain's Rafael Nadal and Marc López won the gold medal in men’s doubles. Nadal, who was already a tennis legend with numerous Grand Slam titles, added an Olympic gold in doubles to his impressive list of accomplishments.

On the women's side, Serena Williams has also made her mark in Olympic history, winning four gold medals—three in doubles with her sister Venus and one in singles. The Williams sisters' dominance in Olympic tennis has been one of the defining narratives of the modern Olympic tennis era.

The history of tennis in the Olympic Games is a testament to the sport's resilience and global appeal. From its early inclusion in 1896 to its temporary absence and eventual return in 1988, tennis has grown to become a prestigious part of the Olympic program. With some of the world’s greatest players competing for national glory, tennis continues to captivate fans and athletes alike, adding to the rich history of the Olympic Games.