Multiple Grand Slam champions Angelique Kerber and Victoria Azarenka are the latest WTA players to withdraw from this month’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Kerber, who won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, cites tiredness as the reason for her decision to skip the event. The German said in her announcement: “My body needs to rest after the intense few weeks that lie behind me and I have to recover first before returning to competition later this summer.”
Difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic are the reason for Azarenka’s withdrawal. The Belarusian, who won the gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2012 London Olympics, says that it was a very difficult decision to make, but she knows in her heart that it is the right thing to do.
Besides these two former WTA world number ones, the long Olympic withdrawals list includes: Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Sofia Kenin, Bianca Andreescu, and Johanna Konta.
Kind of sad that so many players decided to withdraw (in men’s singles even more, especially from from the top) but they don’t even get some points. Tennis is this kind of specifc sport that there’re 4 big and very important events in every single year so decision to remove points from Olimpic was a very bad one
Mateusz, it’s just my personal feeling, but the Olympics were never such a big deal in tennis, as they are in gymnastics or some other sport. Obviously it is a big event, but in tennis Grand Slams are much more important. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Marija, unfortunately I can’t correct you ’cause I’m totally agree with you. I have the same opinion about Olimpics in tennis