KEY POINTS:
Rising tennis star Marina Erakovic was today rewarded for an outstanding six months with selection for the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
Erakovic, 20, is a rising star on the international tennis circuit and has this year lifted her world ranking from 153 to 54.
Erakovic is qualifying for the Ordina Open in the Netherlands as she prepares for Wimbledon.
In her most recent tournament she reached the semifinals of the Edgbaston Classic in Birmingham beating world No 33 Sania Mirza in the second round.
The New Zealand Olympic selectors have set a top 16 selection criteria and said while Erakovic has not yet met this standard, they believed she would continue to improve.
A favourable draw at Beijing could see her finish within the top 16, the selectors said.
As Erakovic has rocketed up the rankings, she has recorded some significant wins, including beating world No 22 Vera Zvonareva in January 2008.
Erakovic said she was honoured to have been selected.
"It has always been a dream of mine to play in the Olympics and now that dream has been realised," she said.
"I am excited and honoured to have the opportunity to represent my country. I plan to be fully prepared to do my best in Beijing."
New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) secretary general Barry Maister acknowledged Erakovic's selection did not meet standard NZOC criteria.
"The selectors were clearly of the view that Marina did not meet the top 16 criteria. However, there were many other factors strongly in favour of her selection to the Beijing 2008 Olympic team.
"We believe her rankings will continue rise right up to Beijing and at just 20 years of age, she is an outstanding prospect for the future."
The selectors made a recommendation to the NZOC board that the selection be considered favourably, and the board decision to select Erakovic was unanimous.
According to NZOC policy, where athletes do not meet the criteria but have met the IF standard, the matter may be referred to the NZOC board.
Tennis New Zealand chief executive Steve Walker believes Erakovic's selection is deserved.
"Marina has had an amazing rise in the ranks and has had strong outings against the world's best," Walker said.
"She had a successful Grand Slam debut at the recent French Open, winning her debut match and has been competitive against former world number ones, Lindsay Davenport and Venus Williams. We're delighted with her selection."
Only five tennis players have competed for New Zealand at Olympic Games, including medallist Anthony Wilding who took bronze at Stockholm in 1912.
Final selections to the New Zealand Olympic Team will be made in the next three weeks with nominations expected for rowing, cycling, shooting and equestrian.
Squads for men's and women's hockey, football and women's basketball will be named by June 30.
- NZPA
