The International Tennis Federation's decision to award ATP and WTA points for the first time at this year's Sydney Olympics will make it more difficult for Ireland to qualify.

This decision is expected to attract a higher percentage of the world's top 100 players to the Games.

There are no qualifying tournaments for the Olympics and Tennis Ireland's hopes, as in Barcelona and Atlanta, will again depend on wild cards.

Ireland's women players ranked in the world's top 500, Yvonne Doyle, Karen Nugent, and Kelly Liggan, will be hopeful of gaining qualification. All three recently received National Sport's Council grants. Peter Clarke was the only recipient in the men's senior category.

Tennis Ireland's NSC funding has risen from last year's figure of £8,000 for four players to £20,000 for six players.

Meanwhile, Ireland will play Croatia or Latvia in the Davis Cup at the Fitzwilliam club in July should they beat Luxembourg away.