Tennis player Coco Gauff tested positive for Covid-19 and will not compete in the Tokyo Olympics, where she was expected to lead the U.S. team.
Gauff, 17, was expected to lead the U.S. tennis team in what was to be her first Olympic Games this month.
Teen Tennis Star Coco Gauff Tests Positive for Covid
Gauff, 17, announced the news via her own social media on Sunday, where she wished the rest of the team luck on the international stage.
“I am very disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for COVID and will not be able to play in the Tokyo Olympics,” Gauff wrote.
“It has always been my dream to represent the United States at the Olympics and I hope there will be many more opportunities for this to become a reality in the future.”
The young tennis phenom was expected to headline Team USA’s 12-person squad along with Jennifer Brady, Jessica Pegula and Alison Riske in the women’s singles division, the Olympic team announced earlier this month.
“The U.S. Olympic tennis contingent is heartbroken for Coco,” the U.S. Tennis Association said in a statement Sunday.
The U.S. Tennis Association said in a statement Sunday.
“We wish her the best as she deals with this unfortunate situation and hope to see her back on the courts very soon.” Several major tennis stars will not participate in this summer’s Olympics, including Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
It is also the first Olympics in 25 years that will be without Serena Williams and Venus Williams. Serena Williams told reporters last month that she would not compete, though she did not disclose the reasons.
It is unclear whether Gauff, who turned 17 in March, is vaccinated, but it is still possible she will test positive for infection.
