Top tennis players pull out of Paris Olympics in ‘exodus’

World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka has confirmed she will miss the tennis event at the Paris Olympics “to take care of her health”.

Belarus’ Sabalenka, 26, lost to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarter-finals earlier this month.

The tennis events at this summer’s Games take place on clay from July 27 to August 4, with the US Open starting three weeks later.

“Especially with all the struggles I’ve been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health,” Sabalenka told reporters.

“It’s too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health.” Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus who qualify for the Games can only compete as neutrals in Paris.

Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka is set to return to action this week in Berlin, having suffered from a stomach illness at Roland-Garros.

She is expected to feature at Wimbledon, starting on July 1.

“It was the worst experience I had in my life on court,” she said.

“I’ve played while being ill, I’ve played with injuries, but when you have a stomach bug and you don’t have any energy to play and you’re in the quarterfinal of a Grand Slam, that was really terrible experience.

“I think my body was just asking for some rest. I managed to find a couple of days to chill and recover after the tough months,” she added.

Three-time grand slam finalist Ons Jabeur is another top player to withdraw, citing the difficulty of changing from grass to clay.

The Tunisian said: “After consulting with my medical team regarding attending the Olympics in Paris, we have decided that the quick change of surface and the body’s adaptation required would put my knee at risk and jeopardise the rest of my season.

“Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I have always loved representing my country in any competition. However, I must listen to my body and follow my medical team’s advice.”

Tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg wrote on X: “The exodus from the tennis event at the Paris Olympics is picking up steam today…”

Other top players to withdraw from the Olympic competition include Elise Mertens, Andrey Rublev, Ben Shelton and Karen Khachanov.

2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu has rejected the chance to represent Great Britain at the Olympics.

The 21-year-old could have put her name forward for one of the two International Tennis Federation (ITF) quota spots alongside other grand slam winners, but is deciding to concentrate on the US hardcourt swing, while the grass to clay change is also a factor.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal will play doubles together for Spain, while Novak Djokovic is hoping to recover from knee surgery in time to claim the one thing missing from his CV — an Olympic gold medal.