Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and Polish star Hubert Hurkacz have both announced their withdrawals from the upcoming Paris Olympics due to injuries.
Vondrousova, who clinched silver in the women’s singles at the Tokyo 2020 Games, revealed in an Instagram post that a persistent hand problem will prevent her from competing in both the singles and doubles events.
“I hoped until the last moment that it could go at least in the doubles, but the hand problems do not let me go on the court,” she said. Vondrousova expressed her disappointment, saying, “I am very sorry, but due to health reasons I will not be participating in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.”
The Czech player has faced a challenging season, marked by a forced retirement from her second-round match at the Berlin Open due to a fall, followed by an early exit in the first round of her Wimbledon title defense.
Vondrousova’s surprising Wimbledon victory in 2023, where she defeated Ons Jabeur to secure her first Grand Slam, remains a highlight of her career.
Nine-time Grand Slam winner Katerina Siniakova will step in for Vondrousova in the singles, with Linda Noskova joining the doubles team.
Meanwhile, Hurkacz has also announced his withdrawal via Instagram, citing an ongoing knee injury sustained during his second-round match against Arthur Fils at Wimbledon. Despite undergoing surgery and making significant progress in his rehabilitation, Hurkacz stated, “My team and I have decided that I’m not able to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris.”
The World No. 7 shared his regret, noting, “This was a very, very difficult decision because I have always dreamed of representing Poland at the Olympics, being able to win a medal for the national team, but unfortunately, my health does not allow it this year.”
Hurkacz’s absence is a significant blow to Poland’s tennis hopes at the Games, as he was expected to compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.
Both athletes have pledged to support their respective national teams from afar, with Vondrousova focusing on her recovery ahead of the US Open and Hurkacz continuing his rehabilitation process. Their withdrawals mark a notable setback for their Olympic dreams but underscore their commitment to future competitions.
