Tennis stars Sabalenka and Jabeur rule out Paris Olympics to avoid risking health

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:17 AM CDT Monday, Jun. 17, 2024 Last Modified: 5:08 PM CDT Monday, Jun. 17, 2024

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BERLIN (AP) — Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur ruled themselves out of the Olympic Games in Paris on Monday.

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BERLIN (AP) — Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur ruled themselves out of the Olympic Games in Paris on Monday.

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BERLIN (AP) — Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur ruled themselves out of the Olympic Games in Paris on Monday.

Both top-10 players said they didn’t want to switch from grass at Wimbledon back to clay at Roland Garros for the Olympic tournament and then immediately start the hard-court season in North America.

World No 3 Sabalenka from Belarus said she’d rather have a break.

FILE - Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays a shot against Russia's Mirra Andreeva during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 5, 2024. Sabalenka of Belarus ruled herself out of the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris on Monday June 17, 2024. The world No 3. said she preferred to take a rest and get ready for the hard-court season. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard, File)

“It’s too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health,” she said in Berlin, where she’s warming up for Wimbledon.

“I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts. I’ll have a good preparation before going to the hard-court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body.”

World No. 10 Jabeur from Tunisia wrote on X that not being able to play at a fourth consecutive Olympics was unfortunate.

“We (and my medical team) have decided that the quick change of surface and the body’s adaptation required would put my knee at risk and jeopardize the rest of my season,” Jabeur wrote.

“I have always loved representing my country in any competition, However, I must listen to my body and follow my medical team’s advise.”

Jabeur competed at the last three Olympics without winning a match.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/summer-olympics