- Tokyo Tennis Olympic Women’s Wrap: Big Names Falter as Sabalenka, Swiatek, Kvitova knocked out in Second Round
- Tokyo Olympic Tennis Photos – Djokovic, Osaka, Sabalenka, Zverev and More
- Photos from Tokyo 2020 – It’s Not Just Tennis
- Olympic Tennis Draws, Results and Order of Play for 7/27/21
- Tokyo Tennis • Women’s Olympic Wrap: Number One Barty Out, Japan’s Naomi Osaka Returns to Court With Win
- ATP Photos from Los Cabos and the Swiss Open – Trophy Photos
- Olympic Tennis Draws, Results and Order of Play for 7/26/21
- Tokyo Olympic Tennis Photos – Osaka, Tsitsipas, Barty and More
- Ricky’s Preview and Picks for Next Week’s Tournaments in Atlanta and Kitzbuhel
- Tokyo Tennis Women’s Wrap: Opening Day sees seeds sail through to Olympics second round
- Olympics News – The Event Is Tennis: TennisBalls.com Friend Alicja Rosolska
- Olympic Photos from Tokyo 2020
- Olympic Tennis Draws, Results and Order of Play for 7/25/21
- Tokyo 2020 – Day One Women’s Singles Tennis Photos
- ATP Action – Tennis Photos from Los Cabos and Swiss Open
Belarusian Olympic Tennis Gold Medalist Victoria Azarenka Pulls Out of Tokyo
- Updated: July 16, 2021
Former world number one and 2012 Olympic gold medallist Victoria Azarenka on Thursday became the latest Grand Slam winner to withdraw from the Tokyo Games, citing “challenges from the pandemic.”
Azarenka, who won mixed doubles gold alongside Max Mirnyi in 2012, as well as a bronze in singles, joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Dominic Thiem and Angelique Kerber in pulling out.
“I would like to inform everyone that I have made the very difficult decision to not play in the Tokyo Olympics,” the 31-year-old Belarusian wrote on Twitter.
“I have many amazing memories winning the gold while competing and representing Belarus in previous Games.
“But with all the challenges we are facing as it relates to the pandemic, I know in my heart this is the right decision for myself and the team.
“I look forward to returning to the 2024 Olympics in Paris to represent Belarus.”
Azarenka did not specify if a ban on family members entering Japan, which would have included her four-year-old son Leo, was a prime factor in her decision.
World number one and Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic last weekend put his chances of playing in Tokyo at “50/50”.
The Olympics, already delayed by a year, get underway on July 23.
About TennisBalls Staff
Free 10s Whenever Newsletter
Subscribe And Keep Up With The Latest Tennis News And Gossip For Free!
Recent Stories
LIVE SCORES
