Rio 2016: Caroline Wozniacki to miss out on 'dream' of representing Denmark at Rio Olympics

Caroline Wozniacki’s ‘dream come true’ of carrying the flag for the Danish Olympic team may be dashed due to her ineligibility to compete at Rio.

The International Tennis Federation have written to the Danish Olympic authorities telling them that she has failed to meet the qualifying criteria, due to absences from the country’s Fed Cup team.

Caroline Wozniacki – who has spoken of her ‘dream’ honour to carry the flag – has failed to play the two necessary ties in the qualifying period.

She was due to play a second one in April, but was unfit after hurting her ankle. She was out for more than two months, but the rules state that there must be a six month layoff for exceptions to be made.

Now she must hope that a formal appeal against the decision, which will be supported by her national tennis federation, is successful.

Rafael Nadal, scheduled flag bearer for Spain, might face a similar problem if he is unable to play a Davis Cup tie for Spain against Romania following Wimbledon.

The ITF are said to be resolved to take a firmer stance on eligibility issues these days.
Deposed French Open champion Stan Wawrinka has extended the trend of current stars taking on those of yesteryear to help them by hiring Richard Krajicek to assist him through the grass court season.

Twenty years ago Krajicek won the Wimbledon title, and will be in the Swiss’s corner for the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club next week.