Jannik Sinner ‘saddened’ as he makes unfortunate Olympics announcement
Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games due to illness.
In a statement made on social media this afternoon, the 22-year-old – who was set to make his Olympics debut – confirmed that he had been diagnosed with tonsilitis and would not head to Paris as a result.
World No 1 Sinner was set to be the top seed in the men’s singles draw, and in the men’s doubles draw alongside fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
He wrote: “I am saddened to inform you that unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games.
“After a good week of clay training I started to feel unwell. I spent a couple of days resting and during a visit the doctor found tonsillitis and strongly advised me against playing.
“Missing the Games is a huge disappointment as it was one of my main goals for this season. I couldn’t wait to have the honour of representing my country in this very important event.
“Good luck to all the Italian athletes who I will support from home.”
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Rumours started circulating about Sinner’s fitness heading into Paris yesterday, with reports in his native Italy suggesting that he had delayed his arrival in the French capital until Thursday.
Reports suggested that the 22-year-old had a ‘fever’ and was resting for extra days as a result, though this has now been confirmed as something more serious.
Sinner’s withdrawal is a huge blow for the Olympics which, despite some big withdrawals pre-event, had most of the sport’s biggest names still playing.
The Italian has lost just four times in 2024 and won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open back in January, also winning titles in Rotterdam and Miami – and becoming world No 1 after reaching the last four of the French Open.
He last played at Wimbledon, reaching the quarter-final in his first major as the world No 1 before losing to Daniil Medvedev – a match where he also appeared under the weather.
Sinner was spotted on holiday with girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya last week, though evidently his health has taken a turn for the worst since then.
All eyes will now be on when the world No 1 can return to action.
Assuming he is back to full fitness, the Italian will likely set his sights on the upcoming Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati – before the US Open at the end of August.