Tokyo 2020: A List Of Tennis Players Who Have Pulled Out Of The Olympics - Men's Health Magazine Australia

Tokyo 2020: A List Of Tennis Players Who Have Pulled Out Of The Olympics

The star joins a growing list of athletes who are opting out of Tokyo 2020.

As the countdown to Tokyo 2020 whittles down to a matter of weeks, the world’s top athletes now find themselves in a precarious position. As they look to peak on the day of their event, training plans are scrutinised and reassessed, nutrition is considered with diligence to the craft, and coaches are on hand 24/7, providing words of encouragement, pep talks and steering motivation to the most lofty of all goals: that of an Olympic gold medal. But while it should be the most exciting time of an athlete’s career, for some the Tokyo Olympics are being eschewed altogether. After the global pandemic forced the Olympics to be postponed by a year, athletes are now having to contend with the prospect of empty stadiums and social distancing within the Olympic village as the pandemic continues to disrupt proceedings. Now, in addition to countless other athletes, Roger Federer is the latest to opt out of Tokyo.

After his Wimbledon setback, Federer has withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics. Having been a runner-up to Andy Murray in the gold medal match at London 2012, many were hoping to see Federer clinch victory at Tokyo. But having struggled with his physical fitness over the last few months, Federer has now pulled the pin on Tokyo. Taking to Twitter, the tennis star announced: “During the grass-court season, I unfortunately experienced a setback with my knee and have accepted that I must withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games.”

He added, “I am greatly disappointed, as it has been an honour and highlight of my career each time I have represented Switzerland. I have already begun rehabilitation in the hopes of returning to the tour later this summer. I wish the entire Swiss team the best of luck and I will be rooting hard from afar.”

Joining Federer in a withdrawal from Tokyo is Johanna Konta, who has revealed she has been suffering with the after-effects of Covid-19 after a member of the British star’s team tested positive in the buildup to Wimbledon. Believing herself to be unfit for Tokyo, Konta had to make the difficult decision to pull out. “This is a heartbreaking reality for me, as representing Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 is one of my most treasured memories from my career so far. I’ll be doing my best to get myself back to full health and fitness and ready to be competing again soon,” she said.

Already, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem have announced they will not be traveling to Japan for the Olympics. After exiting Wimbledon with an injury, Nick Kyrgios also adds his name to the list, adding that “playing in front of empty stadiums just doesn’t sit right with me.”

As for Federer, all eyes will be on his next move as rumours of retirement continue to swirl around the Swiss. Speaking after his defeat at SW19, Federer confirmed that he would take some time before deciding on his next step. “I’ve got to regroup. My goal was always for the last year and more to try to play another Wimbledon,” he said. “I knew it was going to be really hard, to be honest. Now I’ve just got to talk to the team, take my time, not feel rushed – then take the right decision.”

Read on for a full list of all the tennis stars who have opted out of Tokyo. 

Roger Federer

As he battles with a knee injury, Federer has announced he will withdraw from the Olympic Games as he instead looks to start rehabilitation and resume competition on the Tour. 

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Nick Kyrgios

Battling injury, Kyrgios announced he would not be competing at Tokyo 2020. He also explained that the thought of playing to an empty crowd was not one that excites him.

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Rafael Nadal

Nadal has pulled out of the Olympics, choosing instead to listen to his body and prioritise rest and recovery so as to present his best shot on the Tour in the hopes of winning another Grand Slam. 

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Serena Williams

Williams said, “There’s a lot of reasons that I made my Olympic decision. I don’t really want to – I don’t feel like going into them. Maybe another day, sorry.” She added, “I have not thought about it. In the past it’s been a wonderful place for me. I really haven’t thought about it, so I’m going to keep not thinking about it.”

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Simona Halep

The Romanian tennis star will not be participating at Toko, Tweeting: “Nothing brings me more pride than representing Romania, but sadly the recovery from my calf injury requires more time and I have made the decision to withdraw from the Olympic Games this summer. After the disappointment of missing the French Open and Wimbledon.”

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Dominic Thiem

Thiem announced the news to his fans via a statement on Twitter which read: “For me, like all athletes, taking part in the Olympics and representing my country is a huge honour and that makes this decision even tougher. However, 2021 did not start as expected and I don’t feel ready to play my best in Tokyo.”

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Sanislas Wawrinka

The former world No. 3 withdrew from the Games after undergoing his second left foot surgery of the year earlier this month. Having battled with a knee injury in years prior, Wawrinka is focusing on rehabilitation in the hopes of closing out a season on the Tour. 

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By Jessica Campbell

Jess is a storyteller committed to sharing the human stories that lie at the heart of sport.

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