Dan Evans PULLS OUT of Tokyo 2020 Olympics after Britain’s No 1 tests positive for Covid following Wimbledon exit… as tennis star joins host of players in withdrawing from competition
Dan Evans has pulled out of Tokyo 2020 after Britain’s No 1 tested positive for Covid following his exit from Wimbledon.
A legion of tennis stars have pulled out of this summer’s Olympic Games, with 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer recently withdrawing from the men’s singles competition.
And Evans joins Federer, Rafael Nadal and fellow Brit Johanna Konta in pulling out of the Games, set to kick off in a matter of weeks.
Dan Evans is the latest star to pull out of Tokyo 2020 after testing positive for coronavirus
Evans was eliminated from Wimbledon in the men’s singles third round, losing to unseeded Sebastian Korda in the first week.
Federer, 39, suffered a ‘setback’ with his knee, and will have yet more treatment after two surgeries in the last 18 months. His announcement is no surprise after he was thrashed in straight sets by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
The Swiss hopes to return for the US Open next month.
‘I am greatly disappointed, as it has been an honour and highlight of my career each time I have represented Switzerland.
The 31-year-old contracted the virus following his third round exit from this year’s Wimbledon
Evans joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Johanna Konta in pulling out from the Olympics
‘I have already begun rehabilitation in the hopes of returning to the tour later this summer.
‘I wish the entire Swiss team the best of luck and I will be rooting hard from afar.’
British No 1 Konta, meanwhile, revealed she was unable to prepare properly after contracting Covid. The 30-year-old also missed Wimbledon this month after a close contact tested positive for the virus.
Nadal announced his withdrawal from Tokyo following his exit from the French Open earlier this year, while Novak Djokovic has cast doubt over his appearance in the Far East this summer.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic has also cast doubt over his appearance at the Games this summer
The Serb equalled Federer and Nadal’s tally of 20 slams with his Wimbledon triumph last weekend, and could complete a ‘Golden Slam’ if he wins Gold in Tokyo and the US Open.
The World No 1 has never won Olympic Gold and with a rapidly decreasing field, his chances have greatly improved, although he says he is ’50-50′.
‘My plan was always to go to the Olympic Games, but right now I am a little bit divided,’ he said.
‘It is kind of 50-50 after what I heard in the last couple of days.’
Djokovic added that he was concerned about a lack of spectators and strict Covid protocols in place in Tokyo.