Coco Gauff out of Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19

Tennis star Coco Gauff will miss the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19.

Gauff made the announcement Sunday, saying she was “disappointed” to share the result. Gauff is the latest tennis star who won’t participate in this year’s Games, with Serena Williams, Rafel Nadal and Roger Federer (knee) also sidelined. 

“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,” Gauff said in a statement. “I want to wish TEAM USA best of luck and a safe games for every Olympian and the entire Olympic family.” 

Gauff, 17, isn’t the first athlete to withdraw over a positive COVID-19 test. The Wizards’ Bradley Beal was also forced to skip Tokyo after catching the virus. The U.S. men’s basketball team replaced him and forward Kevin Love this past week with Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee.

Despite her age, Gauff ranks as the world’s 25th best player by the Women’sTennis Association. She finished in the Round of 16 recently at Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of this year’s French Open.

The Olympics are set to begin on Friday. 

Sign up for Daily Newsletters

Share this post