Sabalenka Withdraws from Paris Olympics to Prioritize Health

World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming Paris Olympics, citing scheduling concerns and the quick transition from grass to clay courts. The two-time Australian Open champion expressed her decision during a press conference at the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin.

Sabalenka explained that the tight schedule between Wimbledon and the Olympics, followed by the hard-court season, would put excessive strain on her body. "It's too much for the scheduling," she said. "I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I'm ready for the hard courts."

The tennis tournament at the Paris Olympics will be held on clay courts at Roland Garros from July 27 to August 4, just two weeks after the conclusion of Wimbledon on grass. The hard-court season begins on August 6 with the WTA 1000 event in Toronto, followed by Cincinnati and the US Open.

Sabalenka emphasized the importance of prioritizing her health and ensuring she is fully prepared for the demanding hard-court season. "I feel that this is safer and better for my body," she stated.

Jonathan Crane of Germany's DW News clarified that Sabalenka's decision was not influenced by the requirement to compete as a neutral athlete due to Belarus's support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Sabalenka is currently seeded No. 2 behind Coco Gauff at the ecotrans Ladies Open, her first tournament since losing to Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. She is aiming to regain her form and prepare for the upcoming hard-court season.

Tags: #ArynaSabalenka, #ParisOlympics, #Tennis, #SchedulingConcerns, #HealthPriority