The U.S. duo, who are the most decorated men’s doubles pair of all time, made the decision after being knocked out of the Rogers Cup in Toronto, in the quarterfinals.
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The twins went way further in the subsequent edition of the championship, the 2012 London Olympic Games in England where they eventually won the gold medal, the outclass Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Michael Llodra of France in the finals.
If 34-year-old Serena Williams or 36-year-old Venus Williams wins a gold medal, either would be the third-oldest woman to collect an Olympic title in tennis.
New Colmar Brunton research into Kiwis’ attitudes to the upcoming Rio Olympics has revealed our views on sending a team, our excitement levels, whether we’ll be watching, what we’ll be watching and how we’ll tune in to the Games.
He has won 18 Grand Slam doubles titles, is the holder of India’s only Olympic medal in tennis and at Rio he will create history by appearing in his seventh Olympics.
Women’s world number five Halep and men’s world number seven Raonic were the first tennis players to make themselves unavailable because of Zika, which is linked to brain deformities in newborn babies.
American men’s singles players John Isner and Sam Querrey also withdrew from the Olympics to focus on the U.S. Open.
Those Kiwis who do tune into the Games say they will be motivated to do so by the love of their favourite Olympic sport, over and above their loyalty to Kiwis athletes.
The change of heart came only a few days after Mike Bryan told The Star in an interview that the 16-time Grand Slam champions did not fear for their health or safety in Rio.
Two Russian swimmers appeal • Two Russian swimmers have filed an appeal against their exclusion from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it received appeals from Vladimir Morozov and Nikita Lobintsev, both seeking to overturn their bans over state-sponsored doping allegations. Morozov also won a bronze in the 400 freestyle relay in London.
Rio de Janeiro (dpa) – Table tennis players Polina Mikhailova and Alexander Shibaev said Saturday they are relieved to have been given permission to compete for Russian Federation at the Rio Olympics. The two arrive in Rio tomorrow, where the opening ceremonies for the 2016 games take place on Friday.
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In another incident caused by strong winds in Rio, water invaded TV studios on Copacabana Beach near the volleyball arena.
