Palm Desert's Desirae Krawczyk Facing Greece In Olympic Opener

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — Coachella Valley native and tennis player Desirae Krawczyk learned her first round opponents Thursday in women's doubles at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

A Palm Desert resident and the current world No. 12 in doubles, Krawczyk is representing Team USA along with doubles partner Danielle Collins. The fourth-seeded duo will face Greece's Maria Sakkari and Despina Papamichail in their opening match, according to the tournament draw released Thursday morning.

Tennis at the Olympic Games will begin Saturday, although a full individual schedule has yet to be released.

Krawczyk is no stranger to the clay courts at Roland Garros, having won the 2021 French Open in mixed doubles, one of four career grand slam titles.

Although she was eligible, the United States Tennis Association controversially skipped over Krawczyk in their team submission for mixed doubles, instead selecting Coco Gauff, the reigning U.S. Open singles champion and one of two flag-bearers at Friday's opening ceremony.

"Disappointed to hear @desiraekrawczyk was not selected by the @usta to play in mixed doubles at the @Olympics," tweeted 2018 Wimbledon mixed doubles champion and former U.S. Olympian Nicole Melichar-Martinez. "Nobody has earned their spot in mixed more than she has based on her mixed performances."