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Tennis stars boycott Olympics as Aryna Sabalenka lashes out at WTA over 'crazy' decision

Sabalenka, Emma Raducanu and Ons Jabeur have withdrawn from the Paris Games.

ben talintyre
Sports Reporter
·4-min read

Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur have nith pulled out of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Both women, who are ranked in the top 10, put their withdrawals down to scheduling concerns.

The pair have joined a host of top tennis talent who have pulled out in recent weeks from the premier sporting event, stating their bodies would not cope well with the rigours of switching from grass at Wimbledon back to clay at Roland Garros for the Olympics and then immediately turning to the hard-court season in North America. Sabalenka, who has won the past two Australian Open women's singles titles, announced her withdrawal from the Paris Games in Berlin on Monday - where she is drawn to play Daria Kasatkina in the last 16.

Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur and Emma Raducanu.
Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur and Emma Raducanu are all boycotting the Olympics. Image: Getty

The Belarusian said she'd rather have a break than compete at the upcoming Games, saying her absence comes down to the packed WTA schedule. "It is simply bad planning from the WTA. After the Olympics, we have to fly straight to Canada for a mandatory event. That is too much pressure and affects the health," Sabalenka said.

"Unfortunately I have to sacrifice one tournament and at this stage of my career, it is the Olympic Games. It is simply too much. Now we are playing on grass, on clay at the Olympics, on hard court in Canada. It is so crazy and damages our health."

Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur have pulled out of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Image: Getty
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur have pulled out of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Image: Getty

While Tunisian World No. 10 Jabeur took to X to explain that participating in the Olympics is too much of an ask of her body. “We (and my medical team) have decided that the quick change of surface and the body's adaptation required would put my knee at risk and jeopardize the rest of my season,” Jabeur wrote.

“I have always loved representing my country in any competition, However, I must listen to my body and follow my medical team's advice.” Other top players to withdraw from Olympic competition include Elise Mertens, Andrey Rublev, Ben Shelton and Karen Khachanov.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 15: Ons Jabeur of Tunisia reacts against Karolina Pliskova of Czechia during the Women's Singles Quarter Final match on Day Six of the Rothesay Open Nottingham at Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre on June 15, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for LTA)
Ons Jabeur says the switch from grass to clay is too much for her body to handle.

2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu has also rejected the chance to represent Great Britain at the Olympics so she can concentrate on the US hardcourt season and also referenced the grass-to-clay change a major factor behind that decision. And with the serious possibility of more withdrawals to come, the tennis world has debated whether tennis should even be played at the Olympics as top players often prioritise the majors over competing for their country.

Former World No.1's Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki, however, have confirmed they will return to Roland Garros to compete at the Olympics. The Japanese Tennis Federation confirmed Osaka will compete alongside 2014 US Open finalist Kei Nishikori. Paris will mark Osaka's second Olympic Games.

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While 33-year-old Wozniacki will play at her fourth Olympics. She will join Clara Tauson and ATP No.15 Holger Rune as part of the Danish lineup.

with AAP