USA Olympic team captain Bob Bryan wasn’t surprised by Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe’s decision to skip the Paris Olympics.
The Paris Olympics add more events to the already packed ATP and WTA tennis schedules, making it tough for players.
Some players find it hard to play on clay, so they choose to start their North American hard court season early instead of going to the Games .
Shelton and Tiafoe are playing in Atlanta this week and will be at the Citi Open next week while the Paris Olympics happen. They aren’t alone in skipping; Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, and Madison Keys also chose not to go due to the strain of switching from clay to hard courts.
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Player Decisions:
Despite their absence, Team USA remains strong with Coco Gauff leading as flag bearer alongside LeBron James. Bryan commented he understands why some players avoid surface changes or want US Open prep time.
“I’m not shocked by any decisions by the players. Everyone’s got their personal journey and individual goals for the season, and going from hard to clay to grass to clay to hard is challenging for anyone.”
Fans might think it’s a smart move considering how tough it is switching surfaces mid-season.
“If your goal is to peak at the US Open, it might not be the most ideal situation for you. So I support and am behind Ben and Frances, and I understand where they are coming from. But for those guys that are going, I think they are going to have a wonderful time.”
Bryan talked about his excitement for Olympic energy returning after Tokyo’s scaled-back games due to COVID-19. Winning gold was crucial for him and his brother Mike during their careers.
“There’s nothing like the Olympic energy. The Olympics for Mike and I was a huge part of our career. It was very high up the goal list and one of the reasons why we focused on doubles.”
“We have some incredible stories from our Olympic experiences and that gold medal is still the trophy everybody wants to hold when they come over to the house.”
Bryan also expressed his eagerness in helping current players win medals at this year’s event.
“So pumped to be back in a different role helping the team any way I can, happy that Mike’s coming along too. Just excited about helping these players because I believe we have great chances at winning hardware for Team USA.”
What do you think about Shelton’s choice?
