DPA
Paris
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the Olympic Games in Paris due to illness.
The current world number one announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he is suffering from tonsillitis and is “not feeling well.” His doctor had urgently advised him not to take part in the Olympic tennis tournament, which runs from July 27 to August 4.
The cancellation was “a big disappointment” because it had been one of his main goals of the season, Sinner wrote.
“I was looking forward to representing my country at this important event.” Sinner was one of the main rivals for Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev, who is one of the favourites in Paris.
He will now “support the Italian athletes from home,” said Sinner.
The 22-year-old was also entered for the doubles competition with Lorenzo Musetti, where he was also seeded number one.
Gauff to carry US flag
alongside James
Tennis player Coco Gauff will join basketball superstar LeBron James in carrying the US flag at the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris on Friday.
The 20-year-old is the first American professional tennis player to receive the honour, Team USA announced on X on Wednesday.
Gauff is number two in the world rankings and is one of the title contenders for gold in France, with the tennis competition taking place at the Roland Garros grounds which normally host the French Open. Her greatest success to date is winning the 2023
US Open.
The Americans had already announced that twice Olympic gold medallist James would be the male flag-bearer.
The 39-year-old from the Los Angeles Lakers already triumphed with the US basketball team at the 2008 and 2012 Games.
The Paris opening ceremony is set to be held on the River Seine rather than in a stadium in an unprecedented Olympic move.
