With the 2024 Paris Olympics set to be played across July and August, a few tennis stars have opted out of the Summer Games. The World No. 3 ranked Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 10 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on Monday, June 17 confirmed that they will not take part in the upcoming Games.
The reigning Australian Open champion during her address at the Ladies Open on Monday told that she aims to spend some time off the court and prepare for the hard-court tournament. “Especially with all the struggles I’ve been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health. It’s too much for for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health,” Sabalenka said.
“I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts. And I’ll have a good preparation before going to the hard-court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body,” she added.
Apart from Sabalenka, Tunisian Ons Jabeur also confirmed that she will skip the Olympics as a precautionary measure. Jabeur, who underwent a surgery on her right knee, reached the final at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023 along with a final appearance at the US Open 2022. Moreover, she competed at the Olympics in 2012 London, 2016 Rio de Jenario and 2021 Tokyo.
“After consulting with my medical team regarding attending the Olympics in Paris, we 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. Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics,” she wrote in a post shared on social media.
It is to be noted that it is for the first time since 1992 Barcelona that the Olympics tennis tournament will be held on clay. The tennis tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be held from July 27 to August 4 at the Stadia Roland Garros.