When Olympic tennis was resurrected, as a demonstation sport in 1984 and a medal sport at the 1988 Games, the International Tennis Federation might have concocted a format to match the stage. The ITF might have honored the notion of representing your country, which sits at the heart of the Olympic movement. Even Lindsay Davenport of the U.S., winner of the women's singles gold in Atlanta four years ago, wishes Olympic tennis had some team element. But in Sydney it's the same old, same old. At the Tennis Centre in Olympic Park, scoreboards give no clue as to which country the competitors call home.
Few players bother wearing their national colors.
The pooh-bahs of the ITF, much like the soccer lords of FIFA, must be petrified that the Olympics will siphon attention away from their marquee events. Half volleys Davenport pulled a Daniel Day-Lewis on Thursday, withdrawing from the Olympics after a chronic problem with her left foot flared up. Sports Ilustrated's newsletters and alerts. Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. All Rights Reserved.