Tokyo Olympics 2020 Tennis Day-1: Iga Swiatek Inaugurates Center Court, Novak Djokovic to Wind up Play

When a slew of the withdrawals happened weeks before the start of Tokyo Olympic games from both the ATP and WTA tours, discussions arose that the tennis event at the Summer Olympics this year might not be as enthralling as it was before.

But when top-ranked players from both the men’s and women’s singles draws decided to participate in this special event, tennis was back in discussion in Tokyo with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, Ashleigh Barty, and Daniil Medvedev aiming to clinch a maiden gold medal.

Watch this story: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Others Winning Medals of Glory at Olympic Games

The draw for the tennis event was released today at the Ariake Tennis Center in Tokyo. Even though the event will continue without fans, the draw gave some pretty exciting first-round matchups for tennis buffs to get entertained.

Tennis action in Tokyo begins on the 24th of this month, and all top tennis stars headline day-1 action. Iga Swiatek will open proceedings at the main show court. She?will face Mona Barthel in the first round. Initially, Osaka was supposed to open with the Centre Court match.

Watch this story: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Others Winning Medals of Glory at Olympic Games

Iga Swiatek to open her Tokyo Olympics campaign on Day-1

Swiatek’s opening-round match starts at 11 am local time (JST). People in America will be viewing the matchup at 10 pm, Thursday. Fans in the UK will have to catch up on the action late in the night at 2 am (GMT).

Coming to other day-1 matches, Novak Djokovic will play youngster Hugo Dellien. Their contest will be the final matchup on the center court at Ariake Tennis Center.

With Djokovic-Dellien match being the last matchup, it might start around 3 am for tennis fans in America. Tennis fans in the United Kingdom can start their day with this match as it will take place at 7 am on Friday, roughly.

In other matches on center court, Daniil Medvedev will face Alexander Bublik. This encounter starts after the completion of Swiatek’s contest. For an opening-round matchup, it might turn out to be an intriguing and tricky contest for the Russian at Tokyo Olympics.

French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova also lights up the center court on day-1 with her first-round contest against Kazakhstan player Zarina Diyas.

Two-time gold medalist Andy Murray also starts his doubles campaign with brother Joe Salisbury on Saturday (24th July). The British duo will face a stiff challenge against the champion French pairing of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.

Also read: Tokyo Olympics 2020 Draw and Bracket: Novak Djokovic Handed an Easy Path, Daniil Medvedev Faces a Tough Road