London: 23-time Grand Slam women’s singles winner Serena Williams has confirmed her unavailability from the next month’s Tokyo Olympics on Sunday. She thus joins Spaniard Rafael Nadal in withdrawing from the Games which starts on July 23.
The 39-year-old American revealed her decision at her pre-Wimbledon press conference. “I’m actually not on the Olympic list, so… Not that I’m aware of. If so, then I shouldn’t be on it,” Serena said. Although she didn’t clearly state the reason for her withdrawal but it is understood that not being able to be with her daughter Alexis Olympia during the Tokyo Olympics might be the reason.
According to the decision taken by the Tokyo Olympics organizers, no overseas fans will be allowed at the Games meaning the families of athletes won’t be there at the stands. The organizers have also put a cap on local fans allowing only 50 per cent of the capacity of the stadiums.
“There’s a lot of reasons that I made my Olympic decision,” Serena added. I don’t feel like going into them today. Maybe another day. Sorry.” Williams is the joint most successful Olympian in tennis history in terms of gold medals alongside her sister Venus having won one gold medal each in singles and three in doubles.
Serena, who is just one short of equalling Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles at Wimbledon, added she had not really thought about what it would mean to miss the Games. The American won the 2012 Olympic singles title in London on the same Centre Court where she has won seven Wimbledon singles titles. Her doubles gold came with Venus in Sydney (2000), Beijing (2008) and London.
“I have not thought about it (missing the Games),” Serena, who plays world No. 100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the first round at Wimbledon. In the past it’s been a wonderful place for me. I really haven’t thought about it, so I’m going to keep not thinking about it.”
