Despite the numerous concerns over the Games – from the Zika virus (mosquito-borne illness) to water pollution and political unrest due to Brazil’s economic recession – more than half a million sports fans from around the world are on the road to Rio.
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“I regret to announce that I have decided I will not compete in the Olympic Games”.
“While we understand and respect the concerns over the Zika virus, the International Olympic Committee has assured us that all precautions will be taken to limit the risk to athletes, officials and fans”, ITF president David Haggerty told Agence France-Presse in a statement.
“Family is much too important for me and I can’t risk not being able to have one of my own after my career in tennis is over”, she added. I am very proud to have competed for Canada at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and on the world stage at several Davis Cup events.
Raonic’s decision to pull out prompted Tennis Canada to say it respected his decision and that it will seek to nominate 43-year-old Daniel Nestor to partner Vasek Pospisil in the men’s doubles.
On Sunday, the 25-year-old Raonic lost to Britain’s Andy Murray in straight sets in the men’s Wimbledon final.
Jason Day and Adam Scott have hit back at Olympic chiefs for questioning the integrity of the world’s best golfers over their boycotting of the Rio Games.
The No. 1-ranked Djokovic won a singles bronze for Serbia at the 2008 Beijing Games, then came up just short of a medal four years ago.
Nick Kyrgios made himself unavailable after a dispute with the Australian Olympic committee while fellow top-20 player Bernard Tomic – who was also criticized by the country’s sporting authority – has chose to play in a Mexican tournament.
Besides playing the singles, Berdych was expected to team with Radek Stepanek for the doubles at the Olympic tournament, while Pliskova was expected to form a pair with Lucie Safarova.
There will be 64 players in the singles draws and 32 in doubles.
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U.S. MEN’S GYMNAST OROZCO OUT OF OLYMPICS: American gymnast John Orozco tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during training this week and will not compete in Rio de Janeiro next month. A mixed double with Karolina Pliskova was also being considered.
