Paris Olympics 2024: 5 players who withdrew from the tournament ft. Jannik Sinner & Elena Rybakina
Jannik Sinner and Elena Rybakina were among the biggest names to make the trip to the French capital for the 2024 Paris Olympics, set to commence with the opening ceremony on Friday (July 26).
Both, however, have shared unfortunate news of their withdrawal from the tournament. While their absence will take some value out of the competition, the decision would have come after much deliberation.
They are not alone as injuries have also forced a handful of other players out of the draws. Here, we take a look at the five most high-profile withdrawals from the Paris Olympics:
Jannik Sinner
The World No. 1 is set to be the most notable absentee from the Paris Olympics, having withdrawn from the sporting extravaganza last minute.
The reigning Australian Open champion rose to the top of the game earlier this year and would have been one of the favorites for the gold. He, however, has been forced to pull out after being diagnosed with tonsillitis. He shared the disappointing news in a statement on Wednesday.
“I’m extremely sad and disappointed. Competing at the Olympic Games was one of my main goals for this season,” Jannik Sinner said in a statement. “I was really looking forward to being back at Roland Garros and playing for my country in this prestigious event.”
“However, after seeing my doctors on Tuesday and waiting an extra day to give myself some more time to see if my condition would improve, things unfortunately got worse,” he added.
Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina is another big name to have pulled out of the Paris Olympics. Her withdrawal came after the announcement of the women’s singles draw, but she has yet to give a statement or offer an explanation of her decision.
Rybakina, who was seeded third at the tournament, was to take on Jaqueline Cristian in a top-half first-round encounter.
Home favorite Caroline Garcia has replaced Rybakina in the draw as the 17th seed. She was earlier set to take on Zheng Qinwen in her opener, but now Australia’s Daria Saville will face the Chinese No. 1 as an alternate.
Marketa Vondrousova
Marketa Vondrousova, the silver medallist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has also been forced out of the tournament in Paris.
The Czech revealed that she was nursing a hand injury and was earlier hopeful of competing in at least the doubles event. Her latest prognosis, however, has ruled her out of competition.
“I was hoping until the last moment that I could go at least in doubles, but problems with my hand won't let me on the court,” Marketa Vondrousova said in a statement.
Vondrousova had beaten the likes of Kiki Bertens, Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina before losing the gold medal match to Belinda Bencic in Tokyo. Bencic, who gave birth to her daughter earlier this year, will also not be in action. In the duo’s absence, Svitolina will be the only medallist from the last Olympics competing this year.
Hubert Hurkacz
Hubert Hurkacz also gave an unfortunate update on his health, revealing that the knee injury that he sustained at this year’s Wimbledon is likely to take much longer to heal.
The Pole said the doctors have advised him to take time away from the sport. He is unlikely to compete for the rest of the year and is eyeing a 2025 Australian Open return.
“The rehabilitation is really going very, very well and I'm constantly moving forward, developing, but we made a decision with the team that I'm not able to play in the Olympic Games in Paris,” Hubert Hurkacz said.
“It was a very, very difficult decision because I dreamed of representing Poland at the Games and being able to win a medal for the team. But unfortunately my health won't allow me to do that this year,” he added.
Holger Rune
Holger Rune, meanwhile, revealed that he had to get a doctor’s consultation after having experienced wrist pain in the wrist for the past few months.
The Dane said he has decided to not compete at the Olympics after medical advise, but was quick to add that he will be cheering for Team Denmark throughout the sporting extravaganza.
“I am really sorry that I will be unable to play the Olympics. It's something I've been looking forward to playing and being a part of,” Holger Rune wrote on X. “I have played with pain in my wrist throughout both the clay and grass seasons, so I have to take the medical recommendations seriously.
“I will follow the Olympics from home and cheer on all the Danish athletes and I hope and believe that we can bring home many medals from Paris. Come on Denmark,” he added.