Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis superstar ranked No. 1 in the world, withdrew from the Paris Olympics Wednesday because of tonsillitis days before matches begin.
Sinner wrote on social media he was advised by a doctor to sit out the Games because of it.
“Missing the Olympics is a big disappointment, given that it was one of my main goals this season,” Sinner wrote in Italian, according to The Associated Press. “I couldn’t wait to have the honor of representing my country in this extremely important event.”
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Italy’s Jannik Sinner plays the ball to Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff during a men’s singles quarterfinal match of the ATP 500 Halle Open in Halle, Germany, June 21, 2024. (Carmen Jaspersen/AFP via Getty Images)
The 22-year-old has put together one of the best years of his young career. He started out the tennis season with a victory at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam title of his career. He finished in the semifinals at the French Open, the best finish of his career.
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Jannik Sinner of Italy during his men’s singles quarterfinal match against Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon 2024 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club July 9, 2024, in London. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)
He has 14 career singles titles.
Sinner’s absence means Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will be the top-seeded men for the tournament, setting up a potential gold medal rematch of the Wimbledon final.
Andrea Vavassori will replace Sinner in singles. Luciano Darderi will replace Sinner in doubles. He will play with Lorenzo Musetti.
Jannik Sinner of Italy during his men’s singles quarterfinal match against Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon 2024 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club July 9, 2024, in London. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Alexander Zverev won the gold at the Olympics in 2021, defeating Russia’s Karen Khachanov. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta won the bronze.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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