The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) confirmed this week that, as announced in July 2007, those players who compete at the Beijing Olympics will be awarded ranking points. The granting of points to tennis Olympians started in 2000 with the Sydney Games and was repeated at the 2004 Athens Games, as a way to ensure top players took part in the games.

“The Olympic games remain an integral part of our sport's great story and are a welcome addition to this year's calendar,” Etienne de Villiers, ATP executive chairman, said. On the other hand, International Tennis Federation president Francesco Ricci Bitti confirmed that all the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the 2008 Olympic tennis competition have the best field possible.

As to the places available, the ATP and the ITF explained that 56 spots will be granted to players according to the world rankings while 6 places will be awarded by the ITF’s Olympic Committee and 2 by the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees and the ITF.

A total of 64 players will take part in the games and each country can present a maximum of six players of which four can compete in the singles tournament and two teams in the doubles competition. The Beijing Olympic Games will start on 8th August and the tennis event will commence two days after the opening ceremony.