US tennis great Serena Williams has announced she will be skipping the Tokyo Olympics this summer, passing up the chance to add to her haul of four gold medals at the Games.
A 23-time Grand Slam winner, Williams claimed Olympic gold in the singles and doubles at London in 2012, and also won doubles gold in Beijing in 2008 and Sydney in 2000.
This time round, the 39-year-old will not be among the competitors when the Games get underway in Japan in July.
"I’m actually not on the Olympic list, so... Not that I'm aware of. If so, then I shouldn't be on it,” said Williams, who is currently preparing for Wimbledon.
“There’s a lot of reasons that I made my Olympic decision. I don’t really want to – I don’t feel like going into them today. Maybe another day. Sorry.
“I have not thought about it. In the past it’s been a wonderful place for me. I really haven’t thought about it, so I’m going to keep not thinking about it.”
Williams had previously spoken about her doubts over attending the summer sporting event due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the possibility of not being able to travel with her three-year-old daughter, Olympia.
Other big-name stars including men's icon Rafael Nadal will also be absent from Tokyo, in the Spaniard's case as he recovers from injury.
Also on rt.com ‘Listening to my body’: Rafael Nadal PULLS OUT of Wimbledon and Olympics in double blow to fans of Spanish iconSwiss great Roger Federer is also yet to commit fully to the event.
Women's world number two Naomi Osaka, who is Japanese, has however said that she will take part in the Games.