Melbourne: Barty Ash number one world will lead the largest Olympic tennis team in Australia in Tokyo as a nation to bid its first medal in 17 years in the match.
Barty, Australia Men’s number one Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios Nick Kyrgios was among the eight Olympic debutants on the 11-strong team, with the former open champion A.S.
Sam Stosur above his fifth game.
“This is something I always dreamed of and (I) clearly very excited to get out there and represent Green and Gold,” said Barty, who will be the first Australian indigenous tennis Olympian, in a video released by Australian tennis.
“It’s a big and united team and I can’t wait to be part of it.” Barty, de Minaur, Stosur and the World of Men 43 John Millman will compete in both singles and doubles, while Kyrgios will only play single.
Rio Olympians Millman and John Peers, a double specialist, returned for their second match when Australia wants to win their first medal since Alicia Molik took a single Bronze in Athens in 2004.
Molik will captain the women’s team which includes Ajla Tomljanovic in Single, and Storm Sanders and Storm Ellen Perez for a double.
Tokyo Tennis Tournament began on July 24 at the Ariake Tennis Park.