Tennis star Coco Gauff backs out of Tokyo Olympics after positive COVID-19 test
U.S. tennis star Coco Gauff has dropped out of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics after sharing she has tested positive for COVID-19.
“I am so disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for COVID and won’t be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” Gauff said in a social media post on Sunday.
“It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics, and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future,” she continued. “I want to wish TEAM USA best of luck and a safe games for every Olympian and there entire Olympic family.,”
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) July 18, 2021
Gauff joins a list of tennis’ biggest names who won’t be competing in the event, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, according to Reuters.
Gauff, 17, recently competed at Wimbledon where she lost to Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the fourth round, according to an ESPN report.
This comes as Washington Wizards star guard Bradley Beal was also forced to leave the USA’s Men’s basketball team after being placed under a health and safety protocol on Wednesday.
Gauff was supposed to represent the USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics along with Jennifer Brady, Jessica Pegula and Alison Riske, ESPN reported.
Health officials earlier this week reported that a person from the Olympic Village tested positive for the coronavirus, and the Olympic refugee team was forced to delay its impending arrival to Tokyo after a team official tested positive on Wednesday.
The Japanese government announced last week that spectators won’t be allowed to attend the games due to the ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Updated: 4:45 p.m.
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