What is going on with tennis in the Olympics?

Okay, earlier today I posted that James Blake beat Roger Federer, and I was happy with that news. But today has just gotten crazier by the second. After Federer’s loss BOTH Williams sisters were defeated in their matches. Venus Williams lost to China’s Li Na, and Serena lost to Elena Dementieva of Russia.

So, what is going on? It’s not just the Beijing Olympics. No top-five player has won the gold medal in men’s singles since 1988. My husband thinks maybe the Olympics just aren’t as important to the pros, so they don’t try as hard. I don’t think that’s it. I’ve read interviews, and the players seem genuinely proud and pleased to be representing their countries. I do think that perhaps there is an overconfidence problem.

But really I think it’s just that there is something about playing in the Olympics that makes it difficult to predict who will win. There’s certainly plenty of skill around, but a lot of times the difference between a win and a loss in the Olympics seems to be a question of heart and wanting it more. Perhaps that’s why the hosting team always seems to have a home team advantage. If that is the case, I hope the Williams sisters want that doubles medal more than they wanted the singles one.