COCO GAUFF TEST POSITIVE TO COVID-19 TO MISS TOKYO OLYMPICS

American Coco Gauff will not compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games after testing positive to Covid-19, the teen tennis star said on Sunday.

The 17 year-old tweeted “I’m 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,”

Coco, coming off a run to fourth round at Wimbledon, was expected to represent the USA in the singles and the doubles at the Olympics but with the new development it’s unfortunate for the world No.25 to miss the Tokyo event.

 “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.” Coco said.

The rising American teen star won her second WTA singles title in May at Parma, having captured her first in 2019 at Linz, meanwhile, she is wishing Team USA the best of luck.

“I want to wish TEAM USA best of luck and safe games for every Olympian and entire Olympic family,” Gauff tweeted.

Coco joins some of the sport’s biggest names to announce their decision to skip the games which include Roger Federer, Rafal Nadal, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Bianca Andreescu all absent.

Meanwhile, Ashleigh Barty and world No.1 Novak Djokovic both intend to play at the Summer Games but Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur who tested positive for Covid-19 prior to his departure to Japan will miss the Tokyo Olympics.