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Ivanovic pulls out of Beijing Olympics


Ana Ivanovic has pulled out of the Olympic Games having failed to recover from a thumb injury.

Ana Ivanovic, who had been due to face Mariya Koryttseva in the first round, had not been able to train since arriving in Beijing, and becomes the biggest name on a lengthy list of high-profile absentees from the women’s event.

“This is one of the worst moments of my career,” said Ivanovic, who now faces a battle to be fit for the US Open, which starts on August 25.

Despite the concerns about her injury over the past week, yesterday it appeared that the Serbian ace would recover in time to play.

“This is one of the worst moments of my career” – Ana Ivanovic

“Ana reacted well to osteopathic treatment on Saturday,” according to a statement on her website yesterday. “The strength has been restored in her right thumb and much of the pain has been alleviated.

“A decision as to her participation will be made after practice on Sunday.”

Maria Sharapova, Tatiana Golovin and Amelie Mauresmo had already pulled out of the competition with injuries, while 1996 champion Lindsay Davenport has pulled out of the singles.

No.2 seed Jelena Jankovic is still a doubt after picking up a calf strain in training. She is due to play Zimbabwe’s Cara Black in the first round.

Ivanovic’s withdrawal is another major blow to an increasingly cursed tournament where only nine of a scheduled 45 matches have been completed in the first session’s play after torrential rainfall in Beijing.

In a rain-hit schedule, Caroline Wozniacki, Sam Stosur, Francesca Schiavone and Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova all progressed.

But Serena Williams, Peng Shuai, Daniela Hantuchova and Nicole Vaidisova were all left kicking their heels in the locker room as rain interrupted their matches.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.