Olympic "Lines":

"My health has been the most important to me."
-- Martina Hingis on skipping the Sydney

"Besides, playing in Sydney wouldn't give her any points in the WTA ranking."
-- Shamil Tarpishchev insinuating Anna Kournikova's "real" reason for missing the Olympics

"By the sounds of it I think I'll get away with it and be able to play."
-- Jelena Dokic on wearing sponsor provided clothing and equipment

"I know the next one's in Athens and being a Greek that's a possibility"
-- Pete Sampras on a potential future Olympic appearance

"I'm not feeling well"
Always a good way to get out of going some place, huh? One of the most popular reason for skipping Sydney is the prevention of injury and/or just good 'ole "exhaustion." Hingis was the first major player to come out and say she was not planning on attending the Olympic Games. Her manager, Mario Widmer, cited the #1 has a slight heel problem and a four-tournament schedule leading up to the US Open. A trip to Australia is "risky." Never at a loss for words, the 19-year added that Olympic tennis lacks the "history" of the Grand Slams. Kournikova made the same claim, citing her past physical ailments over the past two summers and not wanting to risk potential injuries this year. The Russian Tennis Federation, who offered a spot to the GQ cover girl, put their own spin on Kournikova's reasoning. With her lack of Federation Cup participation, they have alleged that Kournikova is once again putting her own career interests (money, endorsements, WTA ranking) ahead of any patriotic considerations.

So that said, I am not knocking Hingis or Kournikova for not competing in the Olympic Games. While I feel Kournikova's reason may sway into the more political arena, no one can deny that the hard courts are the most punishing of surfaces to the players. Likewise, the any trip to Australia from most points on the globe (particulary Flushing Meadows) is not a quick trip.

"I have nothing to wear"
The Australian Olympic Committee probably wishes they had it that easy with a player not willing to compete in the Olympics. Jelena Dokic has been "in" and "out" of the her hometown Games more times you could "do the hokey pokey and shake it all about." With the teenager making the semifinals of Wimbledon, the Committee is salivating at the thought of having their best female prospect in years represent Australia. Not surprisingly, the Dokic clan is not making it easy. They are currently in negotiations to use her own sponsor's clothing instead of those to be provided as part of the official Australian team uniform. Also tied in to the "deal" is the inclusion of her father as her coach and not being required to stay in the athlete's village. The Committe has relented on the accomodations leaving Dokic responsible for her own security and transportation and her father, Damir, will apparently slip in as a "hitting partner." The clothing deal is the snag as there are contractual obligation when it comes to what athletes wear at the Olympics. Dokic stated on the radio that she thinks she will be able to "get away with it" but as they also say over the airwaves "Stay tuned for further developments."

"I'll be there next time"
There was little doubt that Pete Sampras would not be headed to the Olympics. Sampras has never been the poster child of playing for his country (just ask Mr. McEnroe!) and has only played in one Olympic competition (1992 Barcelona). While Sampras did not come right out and state the popular "risk of injury," he said that the relentless tennis season and the Games proximity to the US Open "takes its toll." Hmmm...I think we have heard that one with Davis Cup as well. This is a timing situation is not likely to change. The Olympics will always occur between or around either Wimbledon or the US Open. Somewhat surprisingly, Sampras did express some interest in competing in the 2004 Olympics to take place in his ancestral homeland of Greece. Not suprisingly, Sampras did put a condition saying his Olympic participation may only happen "when I'm done playing." This may very well be the case since Sampras will be an ancient 33-year old at that time. Sampras might just reconsider that promise when he learns the Athens games are scheduled to be play on clay just prior to the US Open. Given this year's "long list" of American ATP Olympians, Sampras might get a spot, but given his past history Greece will probably not be the word for Pete.

Sampras continued his discussion about the Olympics saying that he would like to see the Games move away from an individual tournament to a team concept. Sampras cited the World Team Cup as an example. This is something Mr. Ed supports and I would go even a step further and suggest a World Team Tennis round-robin format. If you are not aware of how WTT works (or shamefully have not read any of On The Line's WTT coverage!), matches are contested in five sets, one set each of men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. It is an entertaining format and given the Olympic stage would be quite a competition. Unfortunately for myself (and Billie Jean King), it will never happen. While WTT has attracted many top players over the years, it lacks the respect and "seriousness" of a traditional tournament. It would also be prohibitive of players coming from countries without two male and female competitors (i.e. only Goran Ivanisevic and Silvija Talaja are the only Croatian Olympians). Lastly, in such an individually oriented sport as tennis, the team format, I suspect, would not get a lot of support from many players.