Reginald Doherty , four-time Olympic medalistVenus Williams , five-time Olympic medalistTennis was first contested as a Summer Olympic sport in the 1896 Olympic Games until 1924 (excluding 1916 due to World War I ), before going on hiatus due to disputes between the International Lawn Tennis Federation and the International Olympic Committee over how to define amateur players.[1] [2] After two appearances as a demonstration sport in 1968 and 1984 (with a U-21 age limit),[3] it was reinstated as a full medal sport in 1988.[4]
Kathleen McKane Godfree (one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes) and Venus Williams (four gold, one silver) are tied as the record holders for the most Olympic medals in tennis. Serena Williams and Venus Williams won a record four gold medals. Reginald Doherty is the record holder for most medals in men's tennis (three gold and one bronze). Andy Murray is the only men's player to have won two singles gold medals.
Only on three occasions has a player defended their gold medal: Gigi Fernández and Mary Joe Fernández in women's doubles in 1992 and 1996, Serena Williams and Venus Williams in women's doubles in 2008 and 2012, and Andy Murray in the men's singles in 2012 and 2016.
Olympic medalists
Amateur Era
1896
1900
1904
1908
Outdoor
Indoor
1912
Outdoor
Indoor
1920
1924
Open Era
1988
1992
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
Athlete medal leaders Players currently active in bold .
Men leaders
Men's singles leaders† Multiple singles medalist.
Women leaders
Women's singles leaders† Multiple singles medalist.
Medal table
See also
Notes ^a The Olympic medal table is ranked first by the number of gold medals won and then by silver and bronze medals if there is a tie.
References ^ Soltis, Greg (July 27, 2012). "Olympic Events Through History". LiveScience . Retrieved 2012-08-01 . ^ Williams, Wythe (July 27, 1928). "SOCCER AND TENNIS BARRED IN OLYMPICS". The New York Times . Retrieved 2012-08-01 . ^ "Olympic Tennis Event – History: Overview". International Tennis Federation . Retrieved 2012-08-01 . ^ "2 More Olympic Games". The New York Times . October 2, 1981. Retrieved 2012-08-01 . "Results database". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 4 August 2009 . "Tennis: Men's singles". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 4 August 2009 . "Tennis: Men's doubles". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 August 2009 . "Tennis: Women's singles". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 August 2009 . "Tennis: Women's doubles". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 August 2009 .
External links Olympic Tennis at Sports-Reference.com. Olympic Tennis at Olympedia.