Russian tennis team aims for Olympic gold
Published 18 July, 2008, 11:24
The Olympics are just around the corner, and Russia's tennis captain Shamil Tarpishchev has announced those who’ll be competing, while adding there are some problems that still need to be ironed out.
Shamil Tarpischev has high hopes for his tennis players at the Beijing games, but admits preparations aren't all going to plan.
Thus, accreditation problems mean some of the players’ coaches won't be able to attend the practice sessions, or even the matches themselves.
The majority of players will be living in the Olympic village, but Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva opted out.
“The conditions in the Olympic Village are certainly not up to the standard of the five star hotels that tennis players are used to. Elena Dementieva told me that at the last games in Athens, she was unable to sleep properly the day before a match because there was so much noise, so that's influenced her decision,” said Tarpishchev.
As for those who are going to compete in Beijing, high hopes rest on four players – Sharapova, Dementieva, Kuznetsova and Safina – who are ranked in the World's Top 10.
“Also the women's doubles team are strong, and I believe there one of three combinations who would claim gold,” the captain said.
However, Tarpishchev believes the men, who are represented by Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov and Igor Andreev in the singles, with Davydenko and Andreev teaming up in the doubles will have a tougher time.
“I think it's going to be harder for the men. There you have world class players like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic – but apart from that, anything is possible. If I'm honest, I believe one of those three will win gold”.
There's no place for Marat Safin, who misses out due to his low position in the World Rankings. But nevertheless, Russia look as though they are in a great position to win their first Olympic tennis medal for eight years.
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