Swiatek, Alcaraz, and Djokovic Shine on Day One of Olympic Tennis

PARIS (AP) — The tennis competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics kicked off with some exciting matches on Saturday, and fan-favorite players like Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic all celebrated wins in the first round.

Playing at the iconic Roland Garros, Swiatek, the top-ranked player from Poland, started her Olympic journey strong by defeating Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu with a score of 6-2, 7-5. Swiatek wrapped up her match by taking the last four games, showcasing her clay-court skills.

Alcaraz, the rising star from Spain, also had a smooth start, winning against Lebanon’s Hady Habib 6-3, 6-1. Alcaraz’s confidence on the court was evident as he celebrated a set point during the match.

On the men’s side, the seasoned Novak Djokovic breezed through his match against Matthew Ebden of Australia, winning in straight sets. Djokovic’s victory came quickly, taking less than an hour to secure his place in the next round.

The tournament started under some gloomy skies, which caused delays in the schedules. However, thanks to the two movable covers at Roland Garros, matches were able to continue without much hassle later in the day.

One exciting highlight was Jasmine Paolini from Italy, who emerged victorious after defeating Ana Bogdan of Romania. Paolini’s win marked the first tennis match victory at these Summer Games.

The atmosphere at the Roland Garros grounds was electric, despite initial rain delays. Spectators lined up with umbrellas, eager to witness their favorite players in action.

Djokovic didn’t shy away from expressing his opinions after his match, as he shared his concerns over having a doubles player, Matthew Ebden, compete in singles at the Olympics. While Ebden had a spirited attitude, Djokovic questioned the fairness of such arrangements.

As the first day of Olympic tennis draws to a close, fans are left thrilled and eager for more as the event unfolds in the coming days.