Tokyo Olympics: After Angelique Kerber, 2012 Olympic gold medalist Victoria Azarenka pulls out- Former World No.1 and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Victoria Azarenka has joined the long list of Olympic pullout. She cited the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the reason behind her withdrawal. Notably, she had won mixed doubles with Max Mirnyin in 2012 and a bronze medal in women’s singles.
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She joins Tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and top seeds Dominic Thiem in pulling out of Tokyo Games.
Tokyo Olympics: After Angelique Kerber, 2012 Olympic gold medalist Victoria Azarenka pulls out
“I would like to inform everyone that I have made the very difficult decision to not play in the Tokyo Olympics,” the 31-year-old Belarusian wrote on Twitter.
https://t.co/56c1qccqvA
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) 1626361458000
“I have many amazing memories winning the gold while competing and representing Belarus in previous Games.
“But with all the challenges we are facing as it relates to the pandemic, I know in my heart this is the right decision for myself and the team.
“I look forward to returning to the 2024 Olympics in Paris to represent Belarus.”
Azarenka did not specify if a ban on family members entering Japan, which would have included her four-year-old son Leo, was a prime factor in her decision.
World number one and Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic last weekend put his chances of playing in Tokyo at “50/50”.
The Olympics, already delayed by a year, get underway on July 23.
Tokyo Olympics: After Angelique Kerber, 2012 Olympic gold medalist Victoria Azarenka pulls out
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