India is aiming to end a 28-year Olympic tennis medal drought with Rohan Bopanna, N Sriram Balaji and Sumit Nagal.

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New Delhi: The 1996 Olympics was historically speaking the pinnacle of Indian tennis as a sport. Despite not being a major force in the ATP Tour world rankings, Leander Paes, against all odds, won a bronze medal at the Atlanta Summer Games in 1996 at the age of 23.

Paes was the first and only Indian tennis player to win an Olympic medal. Fast forward to 2024, India will aim to recreate what Paes achieved in 1996 and end a 28-year medal drought in tennis, a sport dominated largely by European countries.

A three-member contingent will represent India in tennis at the Paris Olympics. Veteran tennis player Rohan Bopanna, who has represented India twice at the Olympics in 2012 (London) and 2016 (Rio), will pair up with N Sriram Balaji in the men's doubles, while tennis' Sumit Nagal will fight for a medal in the men's doubles. Single

The 44-year-old Bopanna comfortably secured the quota for India by maintaining a top 10 position in the doubles rankings since November last year. He is also the oldest player in the Indian contingent in Paris. Meanwhile, Nagal finished last among the qualified players to earn a quota in the world rankings after climbing 18 places in the singles rankings last month.

India will not have a single player in the women's event at the upcoming Olympics in Paris as they are yet to find a player even after the retirement of Sania Mirza.

Earlier this year, Bopanna fulfilled a lifelong dream by winning his first Grand Slam doubles title at the Australian Open, partnering Australia's Matt Ebden. The victory in the tournament propelled the Indian legend to the top of the world doubles rankings at the age of 43, making him the oldest player in the open era to win a major men's doubles title.

Bopanna narrowly missed out on a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics when Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram defeated Bopanna and Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles quarterfinals. They then fell short in the bronze medal playoff against Radek Stepanek and Lucie Hradecka.

Now, Bopanna and Balaji, who have not competed together, but given the former's remarkable achievements and experience in tennis, stand a good chance of winning a medal.

Besides, all eyes will be on Sumit Nagal, who has shown consistency from last year to Olympic qualification and is enjoying a successful season in 2024.

Nagal's efforts have led to significant growth in the ranks. He was ranked 138th in the world at the start of the year, but is currently ranked 68th in the ATP rankings.

Sumit's consistent play earned him a place in the Olympic singles tournament for the second time in a row. The Indian defeated Denis Istomin in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics and lost to former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the second round.

The Indian, who excels on clay, has a good chance to make an impression in Paris as it will be a good hunting ground for him.

The men's and women's singles events at Paris 2024 will each have 64 players.

Paris 2024 will feature five separate events: Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles

All draws for the 2024 Olympic tennis events will be held on July 25.

Where will tennis matches be held at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

The 2024 Paris Olympics will be held in Paris, France, with tennis events being held at Roland Garros – home of the French Open Grand Slam tournament.

Roland Garros will feature 12 match courts, including the world-renowned Court Philippe Chatier and Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Tennis schedule for Paris Olympics 2024:

Men's Singles: 27 July to 4 August

Men's Doubles: July 27 to August 3

Women's Singles: 27 July to 3 August

Women's Doubles: July 27 to August 4

Mixed Doubles: July 29 to August 2