Upset by Tennis’ Mistreatment of the Olympics, Billie Jean King Sheds Light on the Importance of the Pinnacle Sporting Event

Tennis and the Olympics share a love-hate relationship! But the relationship between the Olympics and Tennis can be summarized as complicated; some players’ eyes light up in the name of representing their country and sport on such a huge platform. But on the other hand, for some players, the thought of playing in the Olympics is just like participating in another tennis event. Recently, a Tennis legend has shared her feelings on this matter.

While players including Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are ready to display some amazing tennis, at the Paris Olympics, Billie Jean King has come up with the reality of Tennis in the world of the Olympics.

Billie Jean King on Tennis connection to the Olympics

Players are practicing hard and giving their best to be a part of next year’s Paris Olympics. But at the same time, the Olympics are not taken quite seriously in the realm of tennis. Recently, the 12-time Grand Slam champion appeared on The Tennis Podcast, where she talked about how the sport needs to value the Olympics and how it’s a bigger deal than Grand Slam tournaments and other tennis events.

She said, “But this event it is the World Cup of tennis, it’s also connected to the Olympics. And whether people like it or not, everyone in the world just about understands the Olympics, if they don’t understand the sport. They understand what it means to get a gold medal, a silver metal, or a bronze. And I don’t think tennis people quite understand how important the Olympics are yet.”

Further, she talked about how, rather than going by players’ interests, people in tennis should come together and think of the sport first and make a really solid calendar for that term. Along with that, she emphasized the fact that even if people don’t understand tennis, just watching it as a part of the Olympics will make people think of the sport and enhance its popularity.

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In the same vein, Novak Djokovic recently talked about the importance of securing a gold medal in the Olympics for his country. Just a few days ago, Serena Williams‘ ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou claimed that winning a Grand Slam title is 100 times more important than winning a medal in the Olympics. After hearing this, the 36-year-old Serbian tennis player shared his views on having tennis in the Olympics.

Novak Djokovic talks about the importance of having tennis in the Olympics

In an interview with Sportal, the world’s number one-ranked tennis player stated that he didn’t agree with Mouratoglou’s statement and shared how he has a huge respect for the Olympics. He said, “Every sport that is Olympic values the Olympic Games, at least in my opinion, as one of the highest priorities. One of the greatest honors for an athlete is to represent your country at the Games.”

He highlighted the position of the prestigious event, either as an athlete or as a sport in the bigger picture. Along with that, he also opened up about his experience of carrying the national flag and the honor that he got from playing for his country while inspiring the next generation to get into the Olympics, one in their career. Subsequently, the Serbs will be seen playing in the Paris Olympics, scheduled for 2024.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the tennis Olympics debacle? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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