Angelique Kerber explains why she joins a long list of Olympics absentees

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Angelique Kerber pleased

Angelique Kerber is the latest tennis player to pull out of this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, insisting her body needs a rest after a hectic few months.

Kerber joins an increasingly lengthy list of high-profile players who have opted to skip the Tokyo Games, with the strict conditions of the sporting bubble around the event not adding to its appeal.

Yet Kerber has insisted fitness issues are behind her decision to withdraw, as she released a statement on her social media platforms.

“The thought of participating at the Olympics has been a constant motivation for me over the past months to push further and keep believing in my goals,” said Kerber.

“Representing Germany in London 2012 and Rio 2016 as part of the German team has always been one of my favorite memories of my career so far.

“This makes it even more disappointing for me to accept the fact that my body needs rest after the intense few weeks that lie behind me and that I have to recover first before returning to competition later this summer!

“Thank you for your support, as this has been a very difficult decision for me. Good luck to all my fellow German athletes in Tokyo #TeamDeutschland, I will miss you.”

Kerber joins British number ones Johanna Konta and Dan Evans, plus 20-time Grand Slam champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal by pulling out of the Olympics.

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