The British No. 1 has pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics. Dan Evans has been forced out of the delayed Tokyo Olympics due to a positive COVID test.
Dan Evans has tested positive for COVID-19 and joins Johanna Konta in withdrawing from the British Olympic team. The Brit joins the mounting list of players who have pulled out of the event in Japan. The growing casualty field includes high profile and crowd pleasing players.
Dan Evans Withdraws From Tokyo Olympics
Serena Williams and Simona Halep are amongst the women to have withdrawn from Tokyo. The American did not provide details on her decision not to attend. However, the fact she would not be able to take her daughter with her could well have been an influence. Williams has four gold medals from previous Olympics and will be sorely missed.
Halep, who missed the French Open and Wimbledon due to a calf injury, told the press that she will not recover in time to fully prepare. The Romanian had been gunning for the gold medal in the delayed 2020 games, but injury has beset her progress.
The Brits join Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer who also withdrew. The Spaniard and the Swiss both pulled out citing injuries. Nadal missed Wimbledon and announced he needs to allow his body to recover after the hard clay court season.
Big Names Missing
Federer is undoubtedly the biggest loss to the event. The Swiss draws the biggest crowds both in person and in the media. The Wimbledon quarterfinalist sustained a knee injury and has withdrawn to look after the injury and recover. The former World #1 has won all of the Grand Slam events, but is missing an Olympic singles Gold medal.
Federer was defeated at the London 2012 games by British favorite Andy Murray. Having defeated the Brit only a month before at Wimbledon, Federer was favourite to take the Gold. However, the Brit had other ideas. Murray defeated Federer in straight sets to claim the top spot at his home Olympic games.
The Swiss did not attend the Rio 2016 games again because of a knee injury. Federer had hoped to compete in Tokyo and battle for the elusive singles Gold medal. Had the Swiss managed it, he would have completed the career “Golden Slam”–whereby a player has won all four Grand Slams and an Olympic Gold medal in their playing career. It is now unlikely that Federer will be able to claim this feat.
Dan Evans announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw. The Brit will not have time to isolate for the full ten days and then after that period fully prepare for the event in Japan. Evans posted on social media. British Tennis correspondent Stuart Fraser tweeted out the news
Breaking: Dan Evans has tested positive for COVID-19 and has pulled out of the Olympic Games. Fellow British No 1 Johanna Konta announced the same yesterday.
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) July 14, 2021
The British Olympic Team for Tokyo is now down to Heather Watson on the ladies side, so no ladies doubles, and Andy Murray for the men’s singles. Neal Skupski is now currently without a doubles partner. However, Jamie Murray would be available as an alternative to team up with Skupski. Each nation can send up to four players of each gender, meaning the older Murray brother can attend should he be asked and want to.
With the field of players withdrawing through injury or self isolation so close to the event, it’s going to be a strange Olympic year.
Main Photo from Getty.
