Ernests unofficially qualifies for the Olympics

Ernests’ well-timed leap in the rankings has seen him make the cut-off for this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing. 56 men will make the singles main draw through direct entry, based on their ATP rankings as at 9th June 2008.

However, each country is only allowed to field a maximum of four players, leaving nations such as Spain and France with players ranked within the Top 56 in the ATP tables who are ineligible to compete. Eight other places in the main draw, similar to wildcards, are allocated by the ITF and the Tripartite Commission.

The formal registration process begins this week and the confirmed entry list will be announced on July 2nd by the ITF. The Games will run from August 8th-24th, immediately before the US Open in New York.

~ by Zahirah on June 10, 2008.