World number one Jannik Sinner was widely expected to win an Olympic medal in Paris.
Jannik Sinner made history this year after his title-winning run at the Australian Open, along with his semi-final appearance at Roland Garros in June, made him the first Italian player to reach the number one ranking since computerized rankings began in 1973.
Defeat to Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon was impacted by Sinner’s fitness, with the Italian looking out-of-sorts throughout the match, despite taking the match to five sets.
It was reported on Tuesday that Sinner’s arrival at the Olympics had been delayed due to some further health concerns, with the news announced today that the top seed was forced to withdraw through illness.
Why has Jannik Sinner chosen to withdraw from the Paris Olympics?
Sinner was set to continue his successful year by representing Italy at the Olympics, but in a month hampered by poor health, doctors advised the top seed to withdraw.
The Italian said in a heartbreaking post on X: “I am saddened to inform you that unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games.
“After a good week of clay training I started to feel unwell. I spent a couple of days resting and during a visit the doctor found tonsillitis and strongly advised me against playing.
“Missing the Games is a huge disappointment as it was one of my main goals for this season. I couldn’t wait to have the honor of representing my country in this very important event. Good luck to all the Italian athletes who I will support from home. Forza Italia”
Sinner leaves a gaping hole in the men’s event with the draw set to take place on Thursday.
Who are the favorites for Olympic gold now?
With Sinner’s departure totally disrupting the narrative, the field does not necessarily open up any more, but rather looks increasingly likely that we will simply have a two-horse race on our hands.
Serbia’s 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic has kept his olympic ambitions no secret with the world number two dead-set on finally winning the gold medal.
Djokovic has won more or less everything there is to win in tennis besides an Olympic medal, with the Serb leaving Tokyo in tears after losing out to eventual champion Alexander Zverev in the semi-final.
The third seed Carlos Alcaraz on the other hand has the luxury of time on his side, with the 21-year-old having already won four major singles titles, with two arriving this summer.
Alcaraz will be hoping to match the power and precision he showed at Roland Garros in June, with his red-hot form coming into Paris outlining him as the clear front-runner.
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