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Tennis Icons Sabalenka and Jabeur Announce Withdrawal from Paris Olympics
Prince Jean
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Sabalenka and Jabeur Withdraw from Paris Olympics, Prioritize Health and Hard-Court Season. Instagram:@aryanasebalenka@onsjabeur
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur have announced their withdrawal from the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The decision, revealed on Monday, stems from their desire to avoid the demanding transition from grass at Wimbledon to clay at Roland Garros, followed by the immediate commencement of the hard-court season in North America.
Sabalenka, currently ranked World No. 3, expressed her need for a break to maintain her health. "It’s too much for the scheduling, and I made the decision to take care of my health,"
Sabalenka stated in Berlin, where she is preparing for Wimbledon.
"I prefer to have a little rest to make sure I’m physically and health-wise ready for the hard courts. I’ll have a good preparation before going to the hard-court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body."
Similarly, World No. 10 Jabeur from Tunisia highlighted the risks posed by the rapid change of surfaces. In a post on X, Jabeur explained,
"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. I have always loved representing my country in any competition. However, I must listen to my body and follow my medical team's advice."
Despite her love for representing Tunisia, Jabeur's decision is influenced by her previous Olympic experiences, where she competed without winning a match.
This development has significant implications for the Olympic tennis tournament and underscores the physical demands placed on top players during the peak of the tennis season.
