US Olympic Tennis – Ready to Fight for Gold

Venus Williams Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

The players making up the U.S. men’s tennis team at the 2012 Summer Olympics surely have a tough task ahead of them, especially with the ATP’s “Big 4” of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in the draw. The women also are looking for an uprising from the now healthy Serena Williams who recently won Wimbledon. Wimbledon is hosted in London, and the players will be using the same exact courts in the Olympics. The courts are held on a grass type surface which makes for very fast paced matches and extremely quick ball speed. Clay is the slowest, hard is normal, and grass is considered to be the fastest type of surface for tennis.

Team USA Men

Andy Roddick: – former World Number One and became a grand slam winner when he won the 2003 US Open.

John Isner: – has notable victories in the Davis Cup over Roger Federer and most notably owns the world record for longest tennis match played over 3 days at over 11 hours.

Ryan Harrison: – an upcoming 20-year-old that has recently surged on to the tennis scene and will be trying to make his first mark in the 2012 Olympics.

Donald Young: another upcoming young 20 something with a chip trying to make his first mark in the tennis world by making a deep run in the Olympics.

Bob and Mike Bryan: The World Number 1 Dynamic Duo of Mike and Bob Bryan will take their talents to London hoping to crush the competition and bring home a gold medal for the United States.

Team USA Women

Serena Williams: Past World Number One Williams (sister of Venus) has recently become healthy again en route to the latest Wimbledon victory where she absolutely crushed her competition. She wants to prove to all the critics that she still is in her prime.

Venus Williams: Former World Number One Williams (sister of Serena) is not the healthiest she’s ever been; however, she looks to go to London to try to prove all the doubters that she still can play at her best.

Christina McHale: Her highest WTA ranking is 28 at the mere age of 20 years old. She seems to be an up and coming star for the USA and hopes to gain some recognition in London.

Varvara Lepchenko: Career high-ranking of 51 has Lepchenko under the radar; however, she had a break through tournament in the French open where she defeated the past world champion in straight sets; be on the lookout for her at the Olympics.