Novak Djokovic set to lead a strong line-up at Tokyo Olympics tennis event

Plenty of star names have pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics, but the man with history pressing on his shoulders will be there as Novak Djokovic is preparing to fly to Japan.
Novak Djokovic had given some hints that he might miss the Olympics after a hectic few weeks that saw him win the French Open and Wimbledon to take his Grand Slam haul to 20.
“I’ll have to think about it,” he said after his Wimbledon win. “Right now, as I said, my plan was always to go to Olympic Games. But right now I’m a little bit divided. It’s kind of 50/50 because of what I heard in the last couple days.
“There will be no fans and I also hear that there’s going to be a lot of restrictions within the Olympic village. Possibly you would not be able to see other athletes perform live.
“I can’t even have my stringer that is very important part of my team. I can’t have a stringer. We will see what we decide to do.”
Yet with the prospect of a clean sweep of major titles in 2021 and the Olympic gold medal also up for grabs, Djokovic confirmed he will be heading to Tokyo in a video message with a Japanese fan.
Cannot disappoint my little friend Koujirou. I booked my flight for Tokyo and will proudly be joining #TeamSerbia for the Olympics. 🇷🇸 pic.twitter.com/23TmSdvc4x
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) July 15, 2021
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are among the star names missing the Olympics, but the men’s draw looks set to be loaded with big names stars despite a host of withdrawls in recent days.
World No.2Â Daniil Medvedev is set to play for Russia, with ATP ranked No.5Â Stefanos Tsitsipas and Germany’s Alexander Zverev also set to compete.
In the women’s draw, home favourite Naomi Osaka makes her return to action, while world No.1 and newly crowned Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty is also set to play.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day four: Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal battle on
Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady won on Thursday to keep the British flag flying.
-
Wimbledon
Alex De Minaur joins girlfriend Katie Boulter in Wimbledon third round
The 20-year-old won the first set on Court One but fell to a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon: ‘Every day is a challenge’
Rafael Nadal is prepared to grind his way into the second week at SW19.
-
News
Iga Swiatek made to sweat to progress at Wimbledon and extend streak
Karolina Pliskova was the big seed to exit the women’s draw on Thursday while Kirsten Flipkens bowed out.
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios has the belief he can win Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios believes in himself even if nobody else does.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – John Lloyd on the key reason for the stunning form of Katie Boulter and British players at Wimbledon
The stunning success of British players at Wimbledon contunued as Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady all won.
-
Wimbledon
Heather Watson ‘pretty relaxed’ as she looks to break new ground at Wimbledon
This is Heather Watson’s fourth time in the Wimbledon third round.
-
Wimbledon
Liam Broady hails ‘amazing feeling’ after beating Diego Schwartzman for biggest win of his career
The British No 5 lost 11 games in a row but fought back to down the 12th seed.
-
Wimbledon
Kyle Edmund set to end 18-month injury nightmare with Wimbledon mixed doubles appearance
The former world No 14 will play mixed doubles in SW19.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon Centre Court delight for Katie Boulter and home crowd as she upsets Karolina Pliskova
Katie Boulter reached the third round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career.