Jannik Sinner Out of Paris Olympics Tennis, Djokovic and Alcaraz Now Top Seeds

Photo: REUTERS

Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner withdraws from Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis, reshuffling top seeds

Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked tennis player, has announced his withdrawal from the Paris Olympics due to a bout of tonsillitis. This development paves the way for Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz to be the top-seeded men in the Olympic tennis tournament. The withdrawal of Sinner, who was expected to be a strong contender, sets up the intriguing possibility of a gold medal rematch between Djokovic and Alcaraz, echoing their recent Wimbledon final clash.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

Sinner, a 22-year-old from Italy, shared the news on social media, explaining that his doctor advised him to forgo the Summer Games to focus on recovery. Sinner had a remarkable start to the year, winning the Australian Open in January, which marked his first Grand Slam title. His impressive performance continued as he climbed to No. 1 in the ATP rankings last month, following a strong showing at the French Open where he reached the semifinals.

In his emotional announcement, Sinner expressed deep disappointment at missing the Olympics, calling it a major goal for his season. “Missing the Olympics is a big disappointment, given that it was one of my main goals this season,” Sinner wrote in Italian. “I couldn’t wait to have the honor of representing my country in this extremely important event.”

With Sinner’s exit, Italy will now have Andrea Vavassori, ranked 207th, replace him in the singles category. Luciano Darderi will join Lorenzo Musetti in the doubles team. The tennis competition at the Summer Games will take place at Roland Garros, the venue for the French Open.

Sinner’s withdrawal means the spotlight will be on Djokovic and Alcaraz as the top seeds. Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spaniard, recently captured his fourth Grand Slam title by winning Wimbledon, where he defeated Djokovic in a thrilling final. This victory at the All England Club marked Alcaraz’s second consecutive win over Djokovic in a Wimbledon final.

As the Olympic tennis draw is set to be revealed on Thursday and matches are scheduled to begin on Saturday, the absence of Sinner adds an unexpected twist to the tournament. The potential rematch between Djokovic and Alcaraz is eagerly anticipated, reflecting their ongoing rivalry and recent high-stakes encounters.