'Right decision': Tennis fans stunned by Bianca Andreescu announcement
Tennis star Bianca Andreescu has endured a tough time recently and her dream of representing Canada at the Olympics has been shattered after withdrawing from the Tokyo Games.
Since winning the 2019 US Open, Andreescu has suffered a tough run of injuries and virus related setbacks.
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But her latest announcement saw the Canadian withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"I have been dreaming of representing Canada at the Olympics since I was a little girl," World No.5 Andreescu said on Instagram.
"But with all the challenges we are facing as it relates to the pandemic, I know that deep in my heart this is the right decision to make for myself."
The former US Open champion will miss the Games along with Rafa Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka, Nick Kyrgios, Serena Williams and Simona Halep, who have already announced their decisions to skip the pandemic-delayed Olympics.
Novak Djokovic announced after his Wimbledon win he is 50/50 on travelling to Tokyo.
Tennis reporter Jose Morgado pointed out Andreescu would be defending up to 70 per cent of all her ranking points in the next two months.
Bianca Andreescu, who is defending 70% of her ranking in the next two months, is out of #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/mhCKtGK1Op
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 12, 2021
Bianca Andreescu out of the @Tokyo2020 Olympics. pic.twitter.com/wHUHA9zRcA
— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) July 12, 2021
I support @Bandreescu_ decision to withdraw from the Olympics, you’ll get your chance in 2024🙏
I know how much it would of meant to you to compete for your country at the Olympics, it’s always been your dream❤️ now to look forward to the rest of the season, we are with you💪 pic.twitter.com/K9Ygam6G40— Tommy 😊 (@BibiArmy_UK) July 12, 2021
Oh no, @Bandreescu_ withdrew from the @Olympics 😭She will be missed. pic.twitter.com/eDMlMpaOUC
— Maria Korolenko (@masha_kor) July 12, 2021
Andreescu's unfortunate setbacks continue
It serves as yet another setback for the 20-year-old, who in May retired hurt in the Miami Open final against Ash Barty with a right foot injury.
After shocking Serena Williams to win the US Open final in 2019, Andreescu has endured a horrible run of injuries.
She spent 15 months on the sidelines with a knee injury before finally returning to the court at the Australian Open in February.
She tested positive for Covid-19 at the start of the clay-court campaign and was knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round.
Andreescu became Canada's first grand slam singles champion with her 2019 US Open.
Fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who reached this year's Wimbledon semi-finals, also said last month he will not compete in Tokyo.
with AAP
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