We now know the identity of the tennis players who will defend the maple leaf at the Paris Olympic Games. They are Bianca Andreescu, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Annie Fernandez, Milos Raonic and Gabriela Dabrowski.
It is by virtue of their WTA and ATP rankings that these players qualified. Andreescu and Raonic used the protected classification, which applies to players out for at least six months due to injury. This ranking is defined by the average ranking during the first months of the shutdown.
Raonic’s last participation in the Games dates back to 2012, in London, while Auger-Aliassime participated in the last edition, in Tokyo. “I am proud to be part of such an inspiring event and I plan to carry the Canadian flag as high and as far as possible,” commented FAA.
This will be Bianca Andreescu’s first Olympic Games, at 24 years old. “It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere of the Games and give it my all,” the Mississauga native commented in a press release.
Canada has distinguished itself on the international scene in recent years, notably by winning the Billie Jean King Cup in November 2023. The 30e World champion Leylah Annie Fernandez defeated Italy’s Jasmine Paolini to earn the country its first title.
Fernandez will be paired with Dabrowski in women’s doubles, while Auger-Aliassime and Raonic will pair up in men’s doubles. It is still unknown who will participate in the mixed doubles events, information which will be revealed a few days before the competition, which will be held from July 27 to August 4 on the clay courts of Roland-Garros.