Aryna Sabalenka Skips Paris Olympics to Prioritize Health

World number three Aryna Sabalenka has announced her decision to skip the Paris Olympics to focus on her health and prepare for upcoming hardcourt tournaments. The 26-year-old Grand Slam champion recently highlighted her need for rest after various struggles and aims to be ready for future competitions.

World number three Aryna Sabalenka will not play at the Paris Olympics in order to focus on her health and prepare for the hardcourt tournaments, the twice Grand Slam champion said on Monday. The 26-year-old Belarusian won the Australian Open in January, but was knocked out by 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarter-finals this month.

"Especially with all the struggles I've been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health," Sabalenka told reporters at the Berlin Ladies Open. "It's too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health.

"I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I'm ready for the hard courts." Sabalenka will next be action against Russian Daria Kasatkina in the last 16 in Berlin.

The Paris Olympics run from July 26-Aug. 11.