The tennis landscape for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics has shifted as two of the sport’s top players, Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur, have opted out of the games. Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion and world’s third-ranked player, has chosen to prioritize her health and rest up for the upcoming hard-court season. Ons Jabeur, the world’s tenth-ranked player and a two-time Wimbledon finalist, has withdrawn due to concerns about a recurring knee injury and the risk posed by the quick change of playing surfaces.Their decision comes amidst a challenging schedule that sees players transitioning from the grass courts of Wimbledon to the clay of Roland Garros for the Olympic tournament, and then immediately switching to the hard courts for the North American season. While the Paris Olympics will feature tennis events from July 27 to August 4 at the Stade Roland Garros, the absence of Sabalenka and Jabeur will be felt. Both players have emphasized the importance of listening to their bodies and following medical advice, even as they express disappointment at missing the opportunity to represent their countries on such a prestigious stage.The tennis tournament at the Paris Olympics will now proceed without two of its anticipated stars, leaving the field open for other athletes to make their mark. The United States, which leads the pack with 39 total medals in tennis, including 21 gold, will look to add to its tally. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2, is set to play doubles with Rafael Nadal and is looking forward to the opportunity to learn from the 22-time Grand Slam champion at the games.
Key points
- Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur have withdrawn from the 2024 Paris Olympics, citing health concerns and the demanding tennis schedule.
- The withdrawals highlight the physical toll and risk of injury faced by athletes due to the quick transition between different playing surfaces.
- Carlos Alcaraz looks forward to playing doubles with Rafael Nadal at the games, aiming to learn from the Grand Slam champion’s experience.
