Milos Raonic withdraws from Rio Olympics, cites Zika
Thornhill, Ont., native played in London Games and recently reached the final at Wimbledon
By Callum Ng
Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic has withdrawn from the Rio Olympics, citing health concerns, including the uncertainty around the Zika virus, in an announcement on his Facebook page.
He described it as a "difficult, personal choice" made after deliberations with his coaches and family.
"It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my withdrawal from participation in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. After much deliberation with my family and coaches, I am making this decision for a variety of health concerns including the uncertainty around the Zika virus," said Raonic in a post on his Facebook page.
"This was a difficult, personal choice and I do not wish for it to impact the decision of any other athlete heading to the Games. I would like to thank Tennis Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee for their ongoing support. I am very proud to have competed for Canada at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and on the world stage at several Davis Cup events. I look forward to cheering on Team Canada this summer."
Raonic, 25, reached the final in men's singles at Wimbledon earlier this month, but lost to Great Britain's Andy Murray. It was the first time a Canadian man had made a Grand Slam singles final.
The absence of the London 2012 Olympian leaves Eugenie Bouchard, Gabriela Dabrowski and Vasek Pospisil as the remaining Canadians nominated for Rio.
In a release, Tennis Canada said Toronto's Daniel Nestor will replace Raonic to play doubles with Pospisil, pending approval by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Canadian Olympic Committee.
Nestor, 43, is a five-time Olympian, and the doubles gold medallist with partner Sébastien Lareau from Sydney 2000.
"We fully respect Milos' decision as we are sure this is not one he made easily," said Kelly Murumets, president and CEO of Tennis Canada, in a release. "Milos represents Canada proudly week after week around the world and we look forward to future opportunities for him to join Team Canada again on the court."
Raonic would have been the top Canadian entered, currently ranked no. 7 on this week's ATP rankings.
On Friday the ITF released a list which includes Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer for the men's tournament. However, other top 20 players on the ATP rankings will not attend including American John Isner, Australians Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic; and Austrian Dominic Thiem.
Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza will play on the women's side.
Fifth-ranked Simona Halep said she won't be competing in Rio.
"After several talks with doctors and my family, I concluded that the risks are too high for my career and for my health, especially as a woman," the 24-year-old Halep, the 2014 French Open runner-up from Romania, posted on Facebook. "Family is much too important for me and I can't risk not being able to have one of my own after my career in tennis is over."
Victoria Azarenka, no. 6 in the world, revealed today she is pregnant and will miss the rest of the season.
Although the tennis competitor list is largely intact, the men's golf tournament has suffered many withdrawals including top players such as Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, and Rory McIlroy among others.
With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press