MAIN Sports 2012 Summer Olympics Tennis

Tennis is popular throughout the world and the Olympic gathering of top players - to compete in men's and woman's singles and doubles - is always one of the most popular draws at the Summer Games.

Although at one time only amateur tennis players were qualified to compete, today the Olympics allows competition among already-famous professional superstars.

The top 56 players in the world automatically qualify to compete at the games, with each country allowed four entrants.

Some of the world’s most famous tennis players who have gone on to become Olympic champions include Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Rafael Nadal and Elena Dementieva.

Besides Nadal, watch as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Venus and Serena Williams vie for Olympic gold at the London games in 2012.

More information about Olympic tennis around the Web:

International Olympic Committee - Tennis - The IOC has plenty of technical details to explain the game and news to keep you up to date on who's who and who's winning. They provide a lot of good information on the sport's history in the Olympics, plus photo gallery and related Flash presentation.

International Tennis Federation - The International governing body for the sport, you'll find the best coverage of the rules and what it takes to make it to Olympic level play here. Lots of good links to national sites will help you get a better look at your team.

United States Tennis Association - Olympics News and Coverage - This is another top notch site but the coverage is definitely Team USA centered. If you're looking for info on who made the team and what the chances for a Team USA gold are... this is the place to bookmark.

British Olympic Association - Tennis - The headquarters of the sport of tennis in England has put together an exceptional site. Olympics coverage is just a small portion of what they have to offer. The focus is on the UK, but this one rates a visit from tennis fans no matter who they're rooting for.

BBC Olympics - Tennis - Olympic coverage with everything from beginner's guides through their excellent news coverage of all the teams.

also see -> Australian Open | Monte Carlo Masters

French Open | U.S. Tennis Open | Wimbledon