Aryna Sabalenka To Miss Paris Olympics, Cites Health Prioritisation
Aryna Sabalenka has confirmed she will not compete at the Olympic Games in Paris next month to prioritise her health. The world number three retained her Australian Open title at the start of the year but suffered defeat in the quarter-finals of the French Open at Roland-Garros. The Belarusian's loss was her first before the semi-final stage of a major tournament since 2022, and she intends to rest ahead of the hard-court season, which begins at the US Open 22 games after the Olympics.
"I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I'm ready for the hard courts," said Sabalenka, who was the runner-up last year in New York. "Especially with all the struggles I've been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health. It's too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health."
Sabalenka is currently in Germany preparing for the Berlin Open and faces Daria Kasatkina in the last 16 of the competition, having come from a set down to beat Marta Kostyuk on Monday.
World No.3 @SabalenkaA has announced that she will not play in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Read more https://t.co/4k3z9x5n8d
— wta (@WTA) June 17, 2024
Sabalenka's decision underscores her commitment to maintaining peak physical condition for upcoming tournaments. Her focus on health comes after a demanding season that saw her clinch significant victories and face notable challenges. As she prepares for future competitions, her strategic withdrawal from the Olympics highlights the importance of athlete well-being in professional sports.
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