Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Summer Olympics due to tonsillitis, the world number one announced on Wednesday. This setback dims Italy's chances of securing its first tennis medal at the Games since 1924.
Sinner, who clinched his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year and reached the semifinals of the French Open, expressed his disappointment on X, formerly known as Twitter. \"I am saddened to inform you that unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games,\" he wrote.
He continued, \"After a good week of clay training I started to feel unwell. I spent a couple of days resting and during a visit the doctor found tonsillitis and strongly advised me against playing.\" Sinner was also set to compete in the men's doubles event alongside Lorenzo Musetti but will be replaced by Andrea Vavassori, currently ranked 207th.
\"Missing the Games is a huge disappointment as it was one of my main goals for this season. I couldn't wait to have the honour of representing my country in this very important event. Good luck to all the Italian athletes who I will support from home,\" Sinner concluded.
With Sinner's withdrawal, world number two and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will now be the top seed in the men's singles draw. Sinner joins other notable tennis players who have pulled out of the competition, including the Czech Republic's Olympic silver medalist Marketa Vondrousova and Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.
The tennis tournament at the Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 27 to August 4 at Roland Garros.
Reference(s):
World No. 1 Sinner withdraws from tennis at Paris 2024 due to illness
cgtn.com
