Top tennis stars Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka will miss the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, prioritizing their health over competition.
Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, recently fell short in the French Open quarterfinals. Jabeur, ranked 10th in the world, has battled a persistent knee injury.
Both players are concerned about the quick transition from clay at the Olympics (held at Roland Garros) to grass at Wimbledon and then hard courts for the US Open shortly after.
"The change in surfaces would put my knee at risk," Jabeur explained, emphasizing the importance of protecting her health for the rest of the season.
Sabalenka echoed the sentiment, citing fatigue and the need for rest to prepare for the upcoming hard-court swing.
This news comes amidst the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Athletes from Russia and Belarus can only compete as neutrals in Paris due to international sanctions.
Despite missing the Olympics, Sabalenka is gearing up for Wimbledon, where she reached the semifinals last year.