Tennis: After Rafael Nadal, world No 5 Dominic Thiem pulls outs of Tokyo Olympics

US Open champion Dominic Thiem on Thursday joined Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal in withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics.

World No 5 Thiem said he wanted to concentrate on Wimbledon and then defending his only Grand Slam title in New York.

“Hi everybody, I have some sad news to share with you all. After talking with my team and analysing the situation I have taken the very difficult decision to withdraw from competing in the Tokyo Olympics,” the 27-year-old Austrian wrote on Twitter.

“For me, like all athletes, taking part in the Olympics and representing my country is a huge honour and that makes this decision even tougher.

“However, 2021 did not start as expected and I don’t feel ready to play my best in Tokyo.

“My goal is to work hard the coming weeks, give my best at Wimbledon and keep training and hopefully defend my US Open title.”

For me, like all athletes, taking part in the Olympics and representing my country is a huge honour and that makes this decision even tougher. However, 2021 did not start as expected and I don’t feel ready to play my best in Tokyo.

— Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) June 17, 2021

I wish the entire Austrian team traveling to Tokyo all the best. I am young…

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