Tokyo 2020 - Angelique Kerber withdraws from Olympics due to fatigue

Updated 15/07/2021 at 13:02 GMT

Angelique Kerber has withdrawn from the Olympics due to fatigue. The tennis star was set to compete in her third Games, but has decided her body isn't ready to perform at Tokyo 2020. "My body needs rest after the intense few weeks that lie behind me and that I have to recover first before returning to competition later this summer," she said in a statement.

Angelique Kerber of Germany looks frustrated during her match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia in the semi-finals of the ladies single

Image credit: Getty Images

Angelique Kerber has withdraw from the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The tennis star joins a slew of players deciding to pull out of Tokyo 2020, with Johanna Konta, Dan Evans, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all withdrawing in recent weeks.

Kerber has twice been to the Olympics with Germany, but explained her body was not able to stand up to the hectic schedule if she were to compete at the Games.

WTA Stuttgart

Raducanu cruises past Kerber in straight sets, Gauff battles past Vickery

18/04/2024 at 06:06

“The thought of participating at the Olympics has been a constant motivation for me over the past months to push further and keep believing in my goals,” she said.

“Representing Germany in London 2012 and Rio 2016 as part of the German team has always been one of my favourite memories of my career so far.

This makes it even more disappointing for me to accept the fact that my body needs rest after the intense few weeks that lie behind me and that I have to recover first before returning to competition later this summer!

“Thank you for your support, as this has been a very difficult decision for me. Good luck to all my fellow German athletes in Tokyo #TeamDeutschland, I will miss you.”

Team GB lost two of their best players just a week before the Games with the withdrawal of Konta and Evans.

Both players have tested positive for coronavirus and have been forced to withdraw as a result.

Konta has been unable to train for the last two weeks after she had to pull out of Wimbledon the day before the tournament was due to start.

WTA Stuttgart

Raducanu set for first-round clash with Kerber in Stuttgart after BJK Cup heroics

15/04/2024 at 09:41

Billie Jean King Cup

Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers: Which top stars are playing?

11/04/2024 at 11:13

WTA Stuttgart

Kerber opens up on comeback from maternity - 'What people expect of me no longer interests me'

08/04/2024 at 19:44

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me