Sabalenka Opts Out of Olympics to Focus on Health Priorities.

Posted 3 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka, ranked third globally, has announced her decision to skip the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris to focus on her health.

The 26-year-old Aryna Sabalenka, who successfully defended her Australian Open title earlier this year, recently suffered a setback at the French Open, losing in the quarter-finals to Mirra Andreeva.

This marks her first major tournament exit before the semi-finals since the 2022 French Open. With the Olympics approaching, Sabalenka has chosen to skip the tennis competition in Paris to prioritize her health.

The Olympic tennis event at Roland Garros is on clay courts from July 27 to August 4, just a few weeks before the US Open starts on hard courts. Sabalenka, the runner-up at last year's US Open, prefers to rest and ensure she's physically fit for the hard court season.

"I need a break to ensure I'm ready physically and health-wise," Sabalenka explained. "Given the challenges I've faced recently, it's crucial to prioritize my health and well-being. The schedule is too demanding, and I've decided to focus on my health."

Due to geopolitical circumstances, Russian and Belarusian athletes qualifying for the Olympics must compete as neutrals. Meanwhile, players like Daniil Medvedev from Russia intend to participate in Paris under a neutral flag.

Sabalenka is gearing up for Wimbledon by playing in Berlin, aiming to build momentum after last year's semi-final run. Wimbledon is scheduled from July 1 to July 14.