World number three Aryna Sabalenka will not compete at the Paris Olympics, citing a need to prioritize her health and prepare for the hardcourt season. The twice Grand Slam champion, who won the Australian Open in January, made the announcement on Monday.
Sabalenka, 26, recently faced a challenging period, experiencing health struggles. This led to her decision to prioritize her well-being. “Especially with all the struggles I’ve been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health,” she said to reporters at the Berlin Ladies Open. “It’s too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health. “I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts.”
Sabalenka’s recent performance saw her reach the quarterfinals of the French Open, where she was surprisingly defeated by 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva. However, her immediate focus remains on her health and preparation for the upcoming hardcourt season. She will next face Russian Daria Kasatkina in the round of 16 at the Berlin Ladies Open.
The Paris Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11. Sabalenka’s absence will leave a gap in the women’s tennis competition, but her decision highlights the importance of prioritizing health and well-being in professional sports.
