Tokyo 2020: Johanna Konta withdraws from Olympic Games after coronavirus left her short of peak fitness

ByEurosport

Published 13/07/2021 at 18:35 GMT

“This is a heartbreaking reality for me,” Johanna Konta, the British number one, said. “Representing Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 is one of the most treasured memories from my career so far. I’ll be doing my best to get back to full health and fitness and ready to be competing again soon.”

Johanna Konta of Great Britain looks on as she plays against Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium during the women's quarter finals singles match on day six at Nottingham Tennis Centre on June 11, 2021 in Nottingham, England

Image credit: Getty Images

Johanna Konta has withdrawn from the Olympic Games after a bout of coronavirus left her short of the desired level of fitness required to compete.

Konta was forced to miss Wimbledon after a member of her team contracted Covid-19, and the British number one was struck down shortly afterwards.

The illness meant she had to isolate and was unable to train for over a fortnight, which left her short of peak fitness.

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With the Olympics set to get underway on July 23, Konta felt the most sensible decision was to withdraw.

“This is a heartbreaking reality for me,” Konta said. “Representing Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 is one of the most treasured memories from my career so far.

“I’ll be doing my best to get back to full health and fitness and ready to be competing again soon.”

Konta’s focus will now shift to the US Open, which gets underway at Flushing Meadows in New York at the end of August.