Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-06-20

(BEIJING, June 20) — Japan’s top tennis player Ai Sugiyama has been chosen to participate in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the fourth time the veteran player has taken part in the world event.

Japanese player Ai Sugiyama (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The 32-year-old has been selected to compete in both the women’s singles and doubles tournament based on the WTA rankings, which were released on June 9.

She is ranked in 38th place in singles and third in the doubles. So far in her career, Sugiyama has won six singles titles and 36 doubles titles, including three Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, one with Frenchwoman, Julie Halard-Decugis, and two partnering Belgian, Kim Clijsters.

According to Kyodo News, Sugiyama has set a clear aim of doing as well at the Beijing Olympics as she can. She sees competing in the Olympics as a challenge and will help draw a happy conclusion her tennis career.

Sugiyama’s fellow Japanese doubles partner, 18-year-old Ayumi Morita, has also been selected to participate in women’s doubles this time. “I want to play a new style of doubles match with her (Morita’s) youthfulness,” said Sugiyama.

Sugiyama has never won an Olympic medal. Her best chance in Beijing is more likely to come in the doubles. She is in good form. Earlier in this year, with her Slovenian doubles partner, Kararina Srebotnik, they lifted their third team title together at Charleston, South Carolina at the Family Circle Cup.