Tokyo Olympics tennis silver medalist Marketa Vondrousova has withdrawn from the Paris Games due to a hand injury. Vondrousova, a 25-year-old from the Czech Republic, announced her decision on social media, stating that her focus now is on being ready for the U.S. Open in late August. The 2019 French Open runner-up and 2022 Wimbledon champion is currently ranked No. 18 in the world. She will be replaced on the Czech team by Katerina Siniakova in singles and Linda Noskova in doubles.
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz also pulled out of the tennis competition in Paris following a knee injury sustained at Wimbledon this month. Hurkacz, who would have been the No. 7 seed at the Olympics, injured his right knee during a second-round match while diving to hit a shot. The 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist was unable to continue playing after attempting another dive post-injury. Hurkacz’s withdrawal is a significant blow, considering his victory over Roger Federer in the 2021 Wimbledon quarterfinals marked the end of Federer’s career.
The Paris Olympics tennis competition is set to begin on Saturday, with the draw scheduled for Thursday. Vondrousova’s withdrawal comes after a first-round exit at Wimbledon, making her the first woman since 1994 to lose in the opening match a year after winning the title at the All England Club. Her replacement, Siniakova, and Noskova, who will pair with 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova, will carry the hopes of the Czech team. The tournament will see high-level competition despite the absence of Vondrousova and Hurkacz.
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