While there were no surprises on the list released by the ITF, two top-10 players – men’s No. 7 Milos Raonic, who was the runner-up at Wilmbledon, and women’s No. 5 Simona Halep – later announced they were withdrawing from the Olympics, and both mentioned concerns about the Zika virus.
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Halep, who is now ranked fifth in the world, reached the final of the 2014 French Open, losing to eventual victor Maria Sharapova.
Berdych reached the semifinals of Wimbledon for the first time since he reached the final at the All England Club back in 2010 but he was soundly beaten in straight sets by the eventual champion Andy Murray.
The Canadian world number seven said he had taken this decision “with a heavy heart” and after “much deliberation with my family and coaches” over a variety of health concerns including the Zika virus, Sport24 reported.
World number one Serena Williams, a double Olympic champion in 2012, her sister Venus and the Bryan brothers lead the U.S. tennis team named on Friday for the 2016 Rio Games.
Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes confirmed that security would be beefed up for Olympic delegations of countries that were recently targeted, without providing further detail. Family is much too important for me and I cant risk not being able to have one of my own after my career in tennis is over..
Raonic and Halep joined a growing list of athletes to have pulled out of the Rio Games over health concerns triggered by the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, including a number of high-profile male golfers.
The event at the Games is scheduled to be held from August 6-14 at the Olympic Tennis Centre.
None have cited the Zika virus as the reason for their withdrawals. I hope the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee and all Romanians will respect my decision.
Nadal won gold at the Beijing 2008 Games but missed the London Olympics four years later due to a knee injury.
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Eighteen of the top 20 women are slated to go to Brazil, led by reigning gold medalist Serena Williams, who will also seek a fourth Olympic doubles title with sister Venus.
