Tennis at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's singles

Last updated

Women's singles
Tennis at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Final
ChampionFlag of the United States.svg  Lindsay Davenport  (USA)
Runner-upFlag of Spain.svg  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)
Score7–6(10–8), 6–2
Events
Singles men women
Doubles men women
  1992  · Summer Olympics ·  2000  

Women's singles tennis
at the Games of the XXVI Olympiad
Davenport 2013 (cropped).jpg
Gold medalist Lindsay Davenport (2013)
Venue Stone Mountain Tennis Center
Dates23 July–2 August 1996
Competitors64 from 34 nations
Medalists
Gold medal icon.svg Lindsay Davenport
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Silver medal icon.svg Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Bronze medal icon.svg Jana Novotná
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic
  1992
2000  

The United States' Lindsay Davenport defeated Spain's Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final, 7–6(10–8), 6–2 to win the gold medal in Women's Singles tennis at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In the bronze-medal match, the Czech Republic's Jana Novotná defeated the United States' Mary Joe Fernández, 7–6(10–8), 6–4. Sánchez Vicario became the second woman to win multiple Olympic tennis medals in singles (following Steffi Graf in 1988 and 1992); Fernández would have done so as well, but the rules had been changed since the last Games to add a bronze medal playoff match.

Contents

The tournament was held from 23 July to 2 August at the Stone Mountain Tennis Center, in Atlanta, Georgia of the United States of America. [1] There were 64 competitors from 34 nations, with each nation having up to three players. [1]

Jennifer Capriati was the defending champion from 1992, but she chose not to participate.

Background

This was the eighth appearance of the women's singles tennis. A women's event was held only once during the first three Games (only men's tennis was played in 1896 and 1904), but has been held at every Olympics for which there was a tennis tournament since 1908. Tennis was not a medal sport from 1928 to 1984, though there were demonstration events in 1968 and 1984. [1]

Returning from the 1992 Games were both bronze medalists, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario of Spain and Mary Joe Fernández of the United States, as well as all four of the quarterfinal losers. Silver medalist (and 1988 champion) Steffi Graf was kept out by a knee injury. The U.S. team was strong even without defending champion Jennifer Capriati, with #1 seed Monica Seles, Fernandez, and Lindsay Davenport. Spain also send a strong team, with Sánchez Vicario joined by Conchita Martínez as the next two seeds behind Seles. [1]

Belarus, Chinese Taipei, Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Luxembourg, Russia, Slovakia, and Tunisia each made their debut in the event. France and Great Britain each made their seventh appearance, tied for most among nations to that point.

Competition format

The competition was a single-elimination tournament, but with a significant change from 1988 and 1992. A bronze-medal match was held, unlike the previous two Games. Matches were best-of-three sets. The 12-point tie-breaker continued be used in any set, except the third, that reached 6–6.

Schedule

All times are Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)

DateTimeRound
Tuesday, 23 July 1996
Wednesday, 24 July 1996
Round of 64
Thursday, 25 July 1996
Friday, 26 July 1996
Round of 32
Saturday, 27 July 1996
Sunday, 28 July 1996
Round of 16
Monday, 29 July 1996Quarterfinals
Wednesday, 31 July 199611:00
13:00
Semifinals
Friday, 2 August 199611:00
13:00
Bronze medal match
Final

Seeds

  1. Flag of the United States.svg  Monica Seles  (USA)(quarterfinals)
  2. Flag of Spain.svg  Conchita Martínez  (ESP)(quarterfinals)
  3. Flag of Spain.svg  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)(final, silver medalist)
  4. Flag of Croatia.svg  Iva Majoli  (CRO)(quarterfinals)
  5. Flag of Germany.svg  Anke Huber  (GER)(third round)
  6. Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Jana Novotná  (CZE)(semifinals, bronze medalist)
  7. Flag of the United States.svg  Mary Joe Fernández  (USA)(semifinals, fourth place)
  8. Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  Kimiko Date  (JPN)(quarterfinals)
  9. Flag of the United States.svg  Lindsay Davenport  (USA)(champion)
  10. Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Magdalena Maleeva  (BUL)(third round)
  11. Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Brenda Schultz-McCarthy  (NED)(third round)
  12. Flag of France.svg  Mary Pierce  (FRA)(second round)
  13. Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  Gabriela Sabatini  (ARG)(third round)
  14. Flag of South Africa.svg  Amanda Coetzer  (RSA)(second round)
  15. Flag of Switzerland.svg  Martina Hingis  (SUI)(second round)
  16. Flag of Slovakia.svg  Karina Habšudová  (SVK)(third round)

Draw

Key

Finals

Quarterfinals Semifinals Final (gold-medal match)
               
1 Flag of the United States.svg  Monica Seles  (USA)5 66
6 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Jana Novotná  (CZE)73 8
6 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Jana Novotná  (CZE)4 63
3 Flag of Spain.svg  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)61 6
3 Flag of Spain.svg  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)4 610
8 Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  Kimiko Date  (JPN)63 8
3 Flag of Spain.svg  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)682  
9 Flag of the United States.svg  Lindsay Davenport  (USA)76 
9 Flag of the United States.svg  Lindsay Davenport  (USA)76 
4 Flag of Croatia.svg  Iva Majoli  (CRO)5 3  
9 Flag of the United States.svg  Lindsay Davenport  (USA)67 Bronze-medal match
7/AltFlag of the United States.svg  Mary Joe Fernández  (USA)2 66 
7/AltFlag of the United States.svg  Mary Joe Fernández  (USA)3 666 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Jana Novotná  (CZE)76 
2 Flag of Spain.svg  Conchita Martínez  (ESP)62 3 7/AltFlag of the United States.svg  Mary Joe Fernández  (USA)684  

Top half

Section 1

First round Second round Third round Quarterfinals
1 Flag of the United States.svg  M Seles  (USA)66 
WC Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  L-L Chen  (CHN)0 4  1 Flag of the United States.svg  M Seles  (USA)66 
Alt Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  P Hy-Boulais  (CAN)66 Alt Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  P Hy-Boulais  (CAN)3 2  
 Flag of Italy.svg  R Grande  (ITA)4 4  1 Flag of the United States.svg  M Seles  (USA)66 
Alt Flag of Mexico.svg  A Gavaldón  (MEX)63 613 Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  G Sabatini  (ARG)3 3  
Alt Flag of Greece.svg  C Papadáki  (GRE)1 62 Alt Flag of Mexico.svg  A Gavaldón  (MEX)4 0  
 Flag of France.svg  N Tauziat  (FRA)5 2  13 Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  G Sabatini  (ARG)66 
13 Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  G Sabatini  (ARG)76 1 Flag of the United States.svg  M Seles  (USA)5 66
15 Flag of Switzerland.svg  M Hingis  (SUI)66 6 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  J Novotná  (CZE)73 8
WC Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  J Schad  (DOM)0 1  15 Flag of Switzerland.svg  M Hingis  (SUI)4 4  
 Flag of Slovakia.svg  K Studeníková  (SVK)2 3   Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  A Sugiyama  (JPN)66 
 Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  A Sugiyama  (JPN)66  Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  A Sugiyama  (JPN)3 4  
 Flag of Austria.svg  J Wiesner  (AUT)76 6 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  J Novotná  (CZE)66 
Alt Flag of Hungary.svg  A Temesvári  (HUN)654   Flag of Austria.svg  J Wiesner  (AUT)4 63
 Flag of Romania.svg  R Dragomir  (ROM)4 4 r 6 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  J Novotná  (CZE)63 6
6 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  J Novotná  (CZE)64  

Section 2

First round Second round Third round Quarterfinals
3 Flag of Spain.svg  A Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)66 
 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  D Van Roost  (BEL)1 4  3 Flag of Spain.svg  A Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)66 
 Flag of Italy.svg  S Farina  (ITA)66  Flag of Italy.svg  S Farina  (ITA)1 3  
Alt Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  C Wood  (GBR)2 2  3 Flag of Spain.svg  A Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)67 
 Flag of South Africa.svg  J Kruger  (RSA)72 1 11 Flag of the Netherlands.svg  B Schultz-McCarthy  (NED)4 67 
WC Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  Y-J Choi  (KOR)6566WC Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  Y-J Choi  (KOR)2 3  
WC Flag of Tunisia (1959-1999).svg  S Sfar  (TUN)4 0  11 Flag of the Netherlands.svg  B Schultz-McCarthy  (NED)66 
11 Flag of the Netherlands.svg  B Schultz-McCarthy  (NED)66 3 Flag of Spain.svg  A Sánchez Vicario  (ESP)4 610
10 Flag of Bulgaria.svg  M Maleeva  (BUL)66 8 Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  K Date  (JPN)63 8
WC Flag of Australia.svg  R Stubbs  (AUS)2 1  10 Flag of Bulgaria.svg  M Maleeva  (BUL)76 
 Flag of Russia.svg  E Makarova  (RUS)2 5   Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  F Labat  (ARG)671  
 Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  F Labat  (ARG)67 10 Flag of Bulgaria.svg  M Maleeva  (BUL)4 4  
Alt Flag of Hungary.svg  V Csurgó  (HUN)67 8 Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  K Date  (JPN)66 
WC Flag of Poland.svg  A Olsza  (POL)2 5  Alt Flag of Hungary.svg  V Csurgó  (HUN)2 3  
WC Flag of Madagascar.svg  D Randriantefy  (MAD)0 1  8 Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  K Date  (JPN)66 
8 Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  K Date  (JPN)66 

Bottom half

Section 3

First round Second round Third round Quarterfinals
5 Flag of Germany.svg  A Huber  (GER)2 66
WC Flag of Romania.svg  C Cristea  (ROM)64 2 5 Flag of Germany.svg  A Huber  (GER)3 66
 Flag of South Africa.svg  M de Swardt  (RSA)73 7 Flag of South Africa.svg  M de Swardt  (RSA)61 4
 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  H Suková  (CZE)6465 5 Flag of Germany.svg  A Huber  (GER)1 63
 Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  N Sawamatsu  (JPN)64 69 Flag of the United States.svg  L Davenport  (USA)63 6
Alt Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  S-H Park  (KOR)3 63  Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  N Sawamatsu  (JPN)2 2  
WC Flag of Luxembourg.svg  A Kremer  (LUX)2 1  9 Flag of the United States.svg  L Davenport  (USA)66 
9 Flag of the United States.svg  L Davenport  (USA)66 9 Flag of the United States.svg  L Davenport  (USA)76 
16 Flag of Slovakia.svg  K Habšudová  (SVK)66 4 Flag of Croatia.svg  I Majoli  (CRO)5 3  
 Flag of Indonesia.svg  Y Basuki  (INA)3 3  16 Flag of Slovakia.svg  K Habšudová  (SVK)76 
 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  L Courtois  (BEL)1 66 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  L Courtois  (BEL)5 2  
WC Flag of Russia.svg  A Kournikova  (RUS)62 2 16 Flag of Slovakia.svg  K Habšudová  (SVK)4 64
 Flag of Spain.svg  V Ruano Pascual  (ESP)66 4 Flag of Croatia.svg  I Majoli  (CRO)63 6
Alt Flag of Poland.svg  M Grzybowska  (POL)4 2   Flag of Spain.svg  V Ruano Pascual  (ESP)5 3  
 Flag of Australia.svg  N Bradtke  (AUS)63 4 4 Flag of Croatia.svg  I Majoli  (CRO)76 
4 Flag of Croatia.svg  I Majoli  (CRO)3 66

Section 4

First round Second round Third round Quarterfinals
7/AltFlag of the United States.svg  M J Fernández  (USA)66 
 Flag of Russia.svg  E Likhovtseva  (RUS)2 4  7/AltFlag of the United States.svg  M J Fernández  (USA)72 6
 Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  S-T Wang  (TPE)77  Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  S-T Wang  (TPE)6461
Alt Flag of Italy.svg  A Serra Zanetti  (ITA)5 65 7/AltFlag of the United States.svg  M J Fernández  (USA)66 
Alt Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  J-Q Yi  (CHN)2 61 WC Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  I Gorrochategui  (ARG)0 3  
WC Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  I Gorrochategui  (ARG)61 6WC Flag of Argentina (1861-2010).svg  I Gorrochategui  (ARG)61 7
Alt Flag of Belarus (1995-2012).svg  O Barabanschikova  (BLR)3 5  12 Flag of France.svg  M Pierce  (FRA)4 65
12 Flag of France.svg  M Pierce  (FRA)67 7/AltFlag of the United States.svg  M J Fernández  (USA)3 66
14 Flag of South Africa.svg  A Coetzer  (RSA)67 2 Flag of Spain.svg  C Martínez  (ESP)62 3
WC Flag of Australia.svg  R McQuillan  (AUS)4 65 14 Flag of South Africa.svg  A Coetzer  (RSA)1 62
 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  S Appelmans  (BEL)5 3   Flag of Belarus (1995-2012).svg  N Zvereva  (BLR)64 6
 Flag of Belarus (1995-2012).svg  N Zvereva  (BLR)76  Flag of Belarus (1995-2012).svg  N Zvereva  (BLR)2 5  
WC Flag of Slovakia.svg  R Zrubáková  (SVK)66 2 Flag of Spain.svg  C Martínez  (ESP)67 
WC Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  J Nejedly  (CAN)3 2  WC Flag of Slovakia.svg  R Zrubáková  (SVK)1 4  
WC Flag of Switzerland.svg  P Schnyder  (SUI)1 2  2 Flag of Spain.svg  C Martínez  (ESP)66 
2 Flag of Spain.svg  C Martínez  (ESP)66 

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's singles</span> Tennis at the Olympics

The United States' Venus Williams defeated Russia's Elena Dementieva in the final, 6–2, 6–4 to win the gold medal in Women's Singles tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics. In the bronze medal match, the United States' Monica Seles defeated Australia's Jelena Dokic, 6–1, 6–4. Williams' victory was the third consecutive gold medal in the women's singles for the United States, all by different players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennis at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's singles</span> Tennis at the Olympics

The United States' Jennifer Capriati defeated the defending gold medalist, Germany's Steffi Graf, in the final, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 to win the gold medal in Women's Singles tennis at the 1992 Summer Olympics. It was the first victory for the United States in the event since 1924, and the first medal in the event for united Germany since 1912. The United States' Mary Joe Fernández and Spain's Arantxa Sánchez Vicario won the bronze medals. It was Spain's first medal in the women's singles.

Venus Williams defeated Lindsay Davenport in the final, 6–4, 7–5 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2000 US Open. It was her second major singles title, and she became the second woman to win Wimbledon, the Olympics, and the US Open in the same season.

Iva Majoli defeated Martina Hingis in the final, 6–4, 6–2 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1997 French Open. Majoli became the first Croat to win a major title. This was the only major match Hingis lost in the 1997 season, preventing her from achieving the Grand Slam. Hingis was on a 35-match winning streak, dating to the start of the season in Sydney.

Defending champion Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in a rematch of the previous year's final, 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 10–8 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1996 French Open. With the win, Graf claimed her 19th major singles title, surpassing Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova's Open Era record.

Steffi Graf defeated the defending champion Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final, 7–5, 4–6, 6–0 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1995 French Open. Sánchez Vicario lost the world No. 1 ranking to Graf following the tournament, and would never recapture it.

Steffi Graf defeated Mary Joe Fernández in the final, 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1993 French Open. With the win, Graf recaptured the world No. 1 ranking. It was Fernández' third and last appearance in a major singles final.

Two-time defending champion Monica Seles defeated Steffi Graf in the final, 6–2, 3–6, 10–8 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1992 French Open. Seles became the first woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive French Open titles. The final is considered by some to be the greatest French Open match in the Open Era.

Defending champion Monica Seles defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final, 6–3, 6–4 to win the women's singles title at the 1991 French Open.

Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final, 6–0, 6–2 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1994 Australian Open. With the win, she achieved a non-calendar-year Grand Slam, dubbed the 'Steffi Slam'. This was the second time in Graf's career where she won four consecutive majors, after achieving the Grand Slam in 1988. Graf did not lose a set en route to the title.

Monica Seles defeated Martina Navratilova in the final, 7–6(7–1), 6–1 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1991 US Open. It was her third major title of the year. With the win, Seles recaptured the world No. 1 ranking from Steffi Graf, and would hold it until her 1993 stabbing.

Defending champion Monica Seles defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final, 6–3, 6–3 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1992 US Open. She did not lose a set during the tournament. By reaching the final, Seles became the sixth woman, after Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Steffi Graf to reach all four major finals in a calendar year.

Steffi Graf defeated Monica Seles in the final, 7–6(8–6), 0–6, 6–3 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1995 US Open. With the win, Graf equaled Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova's Open Era record of 18 major singles titles, and became the only player to achieve a quadruple career Grand Slam. It was the first major appearance for Seles since her 1993 stabbing.

Martina Hingis defeated Venus Williams in the final, 6–0, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1997 US Open. She did not drop a set during the tournament. By reaching the final, Hingis became the seventh woman to reach all four major singles finals in a calendar year. She also became the youngest woman to reach each major final, and the youngest woman to win three majors in a calendar year. Williams was the first unseeded player in the Open Era to reach the final.

Defending champion Steffi Graf defeated Monica Seles in the final, 6–2, 6–1 to win the ladies' singles tennis title at the 1992 Wimbledon Championships. It was Graf's fourth Wimbledon singles title and eleventh major title overall, and Seles' best career finish at Wimbledon. Seles was attempting to complete a non-calendar year Grand Slam and the career Grand Slam, having won the preceding US Open, Australian Open, and French Open. This final was the only major match Seles lost in 1992, thus preventing her from completing the Grand Slam.

Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final, 4–6, 6–1, 7–5 to win the ladies' singles tennis title at the 1995 Wimbledon Championships. It was her sixth Wimbledon singles title and 17th major singles title overall.

Defending champion Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in a rematch of the previous year's final, 6–3, 7–5 to win the ladies' singles tennis title at the 1996 Wimbledon Championships. It was her seventh Wimbledon singles title and 20th major singles title overall. It was also the second consecutive major final between the two women, with Graf winning the French Open crown over Sánchez Vicario a month earlier.

Martina Hingis defeated Monica Seles in the final, 6–2, 6–1 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1997 Miami Open. At 16 years and 6 months, Hingis became the youngest-ever world No. 1 player in women's singles. This marked the first time that neither Steffi Graf, Seles nor Arantxa Sánchez Vicario were ranked No. 1 since August 17, 1987.

Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final, 6–1, 6–4, 3–6, 6–1 to win the singles tennis title at the 1993 Virginia Slims Championships.

Monica Seles defeated Steffi Graf in the final, 7–6(8–6), 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1990 French Open. Aged 16 years and 6 months, she became the youngest major singles champion in the Open Era at the time, and remains the youngest French Open champion in history.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Singles, Women". Olympedia. Retrieved 16 July 2021.