Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis superstar and world number one, withdrew from the Paris Olympics on Wednesday due to tonsillitis, just days before the matches were due to begin.
Sinner posted on social media that his doctor had advised him not to compete in the Olympics because of this.
“I am very disappointed that I cannot participate, as qualifying for the Olympics was one of my main goals this season. I couldn’t wait to have the honour of representing my country in this very important tournament,” Sinner wrote in Italian, according to the Associated Press.
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Jannik Sinner of Italy hits the ball against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany during the men’s singles quarterfinals of the ATP 500 Halle Open on June 21, 2024 in Halle, Germany. (Carmen Jaspersen/AFP via Getty Images)
The 22-year-old is enjoying one of the best years of his young career, starting the tennis season with a win at the Australian Open, winning his first Grand Slam title, and then finishing with the best result of his career at the French Open, where he reached the semifinals.
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Jannik Sinner of Italy plays against Daniil Medvedev during the men’s singles quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2024 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 9, 2024 in London. (Vision House/Getty Images)
He has won 14 career singles titles.
Sinner’s withdrawal means Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are the top seeds in the tournament, which could see a gold medal rematch of the Wimbledon final.
Andrea Vavassoli will take Sinner’s place in the singles, while Luciano Dardelli will take his place in the doubles. He will face Lorenzo Musetti.
Jannik Sinner of Italy plays against Daniil Medvedev during the men’s singles quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2024 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 9, 2024 in London. (Vision House/Getty Images)
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At the 2021 Olympics, Alexander Zverev beat Karen Khachanov of Russia to win the gold medal, while Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta won the bronze medal.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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