OlympicTalk · May 9, 2016
Tennis’ return to Olympics in 1988 faced skeptics, too
Like golf today, tennis’ return to the Olympics in 1988 was met with mixed reactions from top players.
Tennis was eased back into the Games for the first time as a medal sport since 1924. It had been a demonstration sport at the 1968 and 1984 Olympics.
Some top tennis players missed the 1988 Olympics for various reasons one week after the U.S. Open ended.
Start with the men. Eight of the top 10 in the ATP rankings the week of the Olympics did not play in Seoul, but most absences were forced.
Top-ranked Swede Mats Wilander reportedly pulled out due to shin splints two days after winning the longest U.S. Open men’s final in history, a near-five-hour, five-set win over Ivan Lendl.