USTA Picks Zina Garrison to Coach Olympic Team
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Mar 18, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark
Outgoing Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison will lead Team USA in August at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
The USTA announced on Tuesday that Garrison has been named coach of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Tennis Team.
In addition, Rodney Harmon, USTA Director of Men’s Tennis, and Dan James, Head U.S. National Wheelchair Team Coach, have been named coaches of the U.S. Men’s Tennis Team and the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Team, respectively.
The 2008 Olympic Games will be held August 8-24 in Beijing, China, with the tennis competition being staged August 10-17 at the Beijing Olympic Tennis Centre. The 2008 Paralympic Games will be held September 6-17 in Beijing with the tennis competition scheduled for September 8-15 at the same venue.
The Olympic competition will conclude eight days prior to the US Open and will be played on the same DecoTurf II hard court surface as the US Open.
“With the top names in tennis competing in Beijing prior to the US Open, the Olympics add another dimension to what will be a memorable summer of tennis,” said Jane Brown Grimes, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. “Tennis as a sport benefits greatly from being showcased on such a prestigious international stage as the Olympics.”
“Zina, Rodney and Dan each possess that combination of character and competitive fire that define leadership and are synonymous with the Olympic ideal,” said Arlen Kantarian, CEO Pro Tennis, USTA. “Each brings experience as an accomplished player and coach, with a unique ability to connect with the athletes to lead our quest for 2008 gold.”
“I’m honored to be selected again as the Olympic coach,” said Garrison. “Some of my fondest tennis memories are from the Olympics and the incomparable thrill of winning a gold medal. The goal is to share in that Olympic experience with our team this summer.”
The 2008 U.S. Olympic tennis team will consist of up to six men and six women, with a maximum of four men and four women competing in the singles competition and a maximum of two men’s and two women’s teams competing in doubles.
Olympic team selections will made by June 23. The U.S. Olympic Committee will approve all team and staff selections for the Olympic Games.
The United States has won 15 Olympic medals in men’s and women’s tennis since its return as a full medal sport in 1988 — more than any other nation.
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