Milos Raonic, the current world number seven and Wimbledon finalist, losing to Andy Murray in straight sets on Sunday, has announced on Friday via his Facebook page that he will not be participating at the Rio Olympics next month due to the Zika virus.
Raonic withdraws from the Olympics
The big-serving Canadian announced the shocking news on Facebook which will disappoint many of his fans and Canadian tennis fans who had hopes of Raonic securing a medal for his nation but he consulted with his family and coaches before he made the vital decision.
"It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my withdrawal from participation in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, after much deliberation with my family and coaches, I am making this decision for a variety of health concerns including the uncertainty around the Zika virus."
Raonic added, "This was a difficult, personal choice and I do not wish for it to impact the decision of any other athlete heading to the Games. I would like to thank Tennis Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee for their ongoing support. I am very proud to have competed for Canada at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and on the world stage at several Davis Cup events. I look forward to cheering on Team Canada this summer."
The Canadian joins a list of players missing the Olympics
The 25-year-old is the biggest casualty to withdraw from the Olympic Games and there are fellow top 30 players missing the tournament in Rio due to scheduling reasons and disagreements with their nations board but he is the first tennis player to withdraw due to fears of the Zika virus.
Fellow top ten player and French Open semifinalist Dominic Thiem is missing along with John Isner, Australian duo Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, French Open doubles champion Feliciano Lopez, Benoit Paire and Wimbledon quarterfinalists Sam Querrey and Lucas Pouille.
Advantage for the US Open
Since Raonic is missing the Olympic Games, he should be fresh and raring to go to mount another serious challenge at a Grand Slam event as the US Open is the last Slam of the year and is the only Slam to elude him from the reaching the quarterfinals.