(July 27, 2024) Team USA’s Taylor Fritz and the top seeded doubles duo of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula enjoyed wins on the first day of the tennis competition at the Olympic Games in Paris.
No. 1 American male Fritz, the seventh seed in the tournament being played at the site of the French Open Roland Garros. Fritz defeated Kazah Alexander Bublik in the first round on Saturday 6-4, 6-4.
“It feels really good to go out and be done for the day,” said Fritz. “Obviously, we could be stuck here all day with the rain. Initially on the schedule I was going to be the last American to play. It was good news to hear that I was moving to Chatrier. It definitely pumped me up to play a big match on center court and I’m super happy to be through. I loved seeing the guys in the box. It wasn’t too surprising because with all the rain, they’ve got nothing else to do. But it was good to see them support me. If I have the time and if they’re on, I’ll definitely be out there rooting for them too.”
Men’s Olympic Head coach Bob Bryan, talked about the Fritz victory:
“It was a great performance for Taylor. He was ruthlessly efficient on serve and made Bublik work hard to get his holds. Taylor played some amazing points early in the second set to save some break points and was able to stay in control all day. It was an awesome way for Team USA to get started in the tournament.”
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Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula defeated Australians Ellen Perez and Daria Saville 6-3, 6-1to advance to the second round.
On the feeling of the Olympics at Roland Garros:
“For me, I’m just trying to approach it like Roland Garros because obviously I think the Olympics feels a little bit — at least my first time — more nervous, because you know this is not for another four years,” said Gauff. I’m just approaching it as if it were Roland Garros, which helped me calm my nerves. Being here for my first Olympics I think is a good thing because everything feels the same, except for the USA chants.”
On the feeling of the Olympics at Roland Garros
“It doesn’t feel that much different,” Pegula said about playing at Roland Garros. “It feels more quiet maybe, like a quiet Roland Garros. But at the same time obviously when you get out there you obviously feel a little bit different as far as it being an Olympic event and representing your country. But we did a great job today, kept the energy throughout the whole match, so it was great.”
Gauff, who was the female flag bearer for the US team talked about the best part of the Opening Ceremony: On the coolest part of the Opening Ceremony
“Probably the sparking of the Eiffel Tower, which was really cool. And then the USA chants, when the whole boat was chanting ‘USA!’, it felt very patriotic. It was really cool. And obviously just being there with LeBron. I’ll never have that moment again, so I was just trying to stay focused.”
Pegula on the Opening Ceremony: “For me it was just really fun. It was so fun being with all the different athletes. Obviously it was cool we got to be close to LeBron and all the USA basketball players, who are super big and popular in our country, so it’s pretty cool. It was amazing. It was pouring rain at the same time. I don’t know, it still felt fun to me because it felt very Parisian… There’s nothing like it. You don’t get that feeling anywhere else. That’s super special.”
“Both Coco and Jessica, they were so excited to get out there and be here at the Olympics.” said Kathy Rinaldi, the Head Coach for the women’s team. “They played great tennis tonight, extremely solid, and they got Team USA off to a great start.”
“I think they got more confident and more relaxed as the match went on. It’s big playing the Olympics, representing your county. There’s a lot at stake here with the gold medals and all the great athletes. I think that it was wonderful to get a match like that. They played two very tough competitors in the first round. To win it in that fashion and to finish it in that fashion says a lot, and they should hopefully keep building this week.”
2024 Olympic Games
Paris, France
Roland Garros
Tennis Competition Dates: July 27-August 4
RESULTS – (SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024)
(7) Taylor Frtiz (USA) def. Alexander Bublik (KAZ) 64 64
(1) Coco Gauff/Jessica Pegula (USA) def. Ellen Perez/Daria Saville (AUS) 63 61
TOMORROW’S ORDER OF PLAY – (SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2024)
(2) Coco Gauff (USA) vs Aja Tomljanovic (AUS) – Court Philippe-Chatrier – 3rd match – NB – 19:00
(5) Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Vikorja Golubic (SUI) – Court Suzanne-Lenglen – 3rd match
Marcos Giron (USA) vs (13) Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) – Court Simonne-Mathieu – 1st match
(9) Danielle Collins (USA) vs Laura Siegmund (GER) – Court Simonne-Mathieu – 2nd match
(9) Tommy Paul (USA) vs Luciano Darderi (ITA) – Court 7 – 3rd match
(11) Emma Navarro (USA) vs Julia Grabher (AUT) – Court 10 – 5th match
Chris Eubanks (USA) vs Benjamin Hassan (LBN) – Court 11 – 2nd match
