Marcos Baghdatis has become the latest player to withdraw from the upcoming Rio Olympic Games.
The 31-year-old was scheduled to be the only player to represent his country in the sport at the Olympics before pulling out. Baghdatis is currently sidelined from action due to tendinitis in his left elbow, which also forced him out of this week’s Rogers Cup.
“The news with regard to my left elbow injury is bad I am afraid. The pain is still there niggling and does not go away.” He wrote in a Facebook post.
“It is therefore with great sadness that I now announce my withdrawal from the Cyprus Olympic Team. I have already informed the Cyprus Tennis Federation.” He later added.
In 2012 Baghdatis was selected to carry his flag during the opening ceremony at the London Games. He was the only player to take a set off Andy Murray in the draw, who went on to win the gold medal.
The world No.42 remains hopeful that he will be fit in time for the US Open at the end of August. The Cypriot is expected to return to competition on August 15 at the Cincinnati Masters.
Baghdatis is the latest player to pull out of Rio. The tournament has been hindered by a series of high profile withdrawals due to fears concerning the Zika virus as well as other issues. Eight top-20 players has already skipped the event.
Already 8 ATP Top 20 players pulled out from Rio Olympics:
Federer
Raonic
Berdych
Gasquet
Thiem
Isner
Kyrgios
Lopez— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) 27 July 2016
