Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Summer Olympics due to tonsillitis, the world number one said on Wednesday, denting Italy’s hopes of winning a first tennis medal at the Games since 1924.
Sinner won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year, and reached the semifinals of the French Open.
“I am saddened to inform you that unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games,” Sinner wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“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,” he added
Sinner was also due to play in the men’s doubles event alongside Lorenzo Musetti. He will be replaced by 207th-ranked compatriot Andrea Vavassori.
“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 honour of representing my country in this very important event. Good luck to all the Italian athletes who I will support from home,” Sinner concluded.
Sinner’s withdrawal means world number two and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will now be the top seed in the men’s singles draw.
Sinner became the latest among a number of tennis players to withdraw from the competition, with the Czech Republic’s Olympic silver medalist Marketa Vondrousova and Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz pulling out on Monday.
Other notable absences from the tennis at the Games include world number three Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, Emma Raducanu in the women’s bracket, and Ben Shelton on the men’s side.
The tennis tournament at the Olympics will take place from July 27 to August 4 at Roland Garros