THE TAKING PART

In Sydney 64 players will compete in each event, amounting to 32 pairs for the doubles events. They qualify for the Games in one of three ways. Those ranked in the top 48 in the world after Wimbledon gain automatic entry. Four players per nation are allowed, though each country can enter a men's doubles team beyond its four players provided that the pair are both ranked among the top 20 in the world by July 10. No such stipulation exists for women, the four-player maximum applying in all cases, with just three of those allowed to compete in the singles.

If the top 48 ranked players account for more than the limit allowed per nation, the next best players beyond the top 48 are chosen to make up the first 48 players. The ITF then chooses 14 players at random, usually from countries that would not otherwise be represented, to take the tally to 62, before Olympic officials choose two remaining players in each event.