Tennis: Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic, Lebanon’s Benjamin Hassan secure Olympic spots for Paris 2024

The first two players are confirmed for the tennis event at next month’s Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Danka Kovinic of Montenegro and Benjamin Hassan of Lebanon have been awarded Universality Places for their respective singles draws, the International Tennis Federation confirmed on Monday (10 June).

Universality Places are awarded to nations that are typically under-represented at the Games. These quotas are allocated to eligible National Olympic Committees by the Olympic Games Tripartite Commission.

It’s set to be a second Olympic appearance for Kovinic, 29, who made her debut at Rio 2016 in the same year she reached a career-high ranking of world No.46. She is a three-time runner-up on the WTA Tour, and has twice been to the third round at a major, most recently at Roland-Garros (the site of Olympic tennis) in 2022.

Kovinic said she was especially excited for her entry after being forced out of Tokyo 2020 in 2021.

Hassan is making history for Lebanon as the first player from his country to compete in the Olympic tennis event. Hassan, who is also 29, is at a career-high ranking of world No.146. He won his first ITF Pro Circuit singles title in Manacor in 2022.

“Growing up, playing tennis has always been my passion and I had a dream of reaching stellar positions and representing my country in international tournaments,” he said, according to the ITF. “Taking part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Tennis Event is an important milestone in realising my dreams.”

Monday 10 June marked the rankings cut-off for the Olympic tennis draws. You can read more about the sport’s selection process here. 4 July is the ITF’s date for announcement of the tennis entry lists, though national committees can announce their selections prior.