The Tokyo Olympics has lost one of its young stars after US tennis player Coco Gauff revealed she has been ruled out of the Games after testing positive for Covid-19.
“I am so disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for COVID and won’t be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” wrote the 17-year-old in a statement posted to Twitter on Sunday.
Coco Gauff slips on the grass during her first round ladies’ singles match against Francesca Jones on court 2 on day two of Wimbledon at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. Picture date: Tuesday June 29, 2021.
“It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics, and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future.
I want to wish TEAM USA best of luck and a safe games for every Olympian and the entire Olympic family.”
Coco Gauff: Grand slam title waits for Coco Gauff, the tennis prodigy with talent to burn
Gauff is one of the most promising young players in the world and reached the fourth round at this month’s Wimbledon before losing to Angelique Kerber.
She first came to prominence in 2019 when she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon at the age of just 15. The US has three other women in the women’s singles in Tokyo: Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady, Jessica Pegula and Alison Riske.
Great Britain’s preparations have been hit after six athletes and two staff members were forced to self-isolate after coming into close contact with a member of the public who had Covid-19 on their flight to Tokyo.
