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‘I don’t feel ready to play my best,’ Dominic Thiem pulls out of Olympic Games


Dominic Thiem has followed Rafael Nadal in pulling out of the Olympics and said his decision is based on the form he has shown so far in 2021.

In a statement on Thursday, the 27-year-old conceded he was ‘not ready’ to play in Tokyo after a difficult period following his US Open victory last year.

Thiem is currently 9-8 for the season and lost in the first round of the French Open to Pablo Andujar.

“Hi everybody, I have some sad news to share with you all. After talking with my team and analysing the situation I have taken the very difficult decision to withdraw from competing in the Tokyo Olympics,” Thiem wrote on Twitter.

“For me, like all athletes, taking part in the Olympics and representing my country is a huge honour and that makes this decision even tougher.

“However, 2021 did not start as expected and I don’t feel ready to play my best in Tokyo.

“My goal is to work hard the coming weeks, give my best at Wimbledon and keep training and hopefully defend my US Open title.”

Dominic Thiem, who also skipped the 2016 Olympics due to tough scheduling, recently expressed his desire to play in Tokyo and said it would be a ‘dream’ to play at the Olympics.

The 27-year-old will now look to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where he will play on familiar territory at Roland Garros.


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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.