Olympia: Novak Djokovic confirms participation, Juan Martin del Potro cancels
WhileNovak Djokovic confirmed his participation in the Olympic Games in Tokyo,Juan Martin del Potro had to cancel his start at the largest sporting event in the world.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jun 23, 2021, 03:41 pm
Both in London in 2012 and in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro faced each other at the Olympic Games, and there will definitely be no further clash between the two Grand Slam winners this year. Because del Potro will not appear in Tokyo in 2021 - like Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, among others.
"Delpo won't be able to play the Olympics. Knee rehab is going well according to the doctor's plan, but he suggested Juan Martin continue with his rehab process and training and skip Tokyo 2020," it said in a statement from the team. The long period of suffering for the Argentine continues: Del Potro has not been able to play a match on the tour since June 2019 due to a protracted knee injury.
Djokovic is chasing the Golden Slam
It is now also certain that del Potro will not complete his set of medals this year: In 2012 the now 32-year-old secured the bronze medal, four years later he even won silver in Brazil. The world number 744. this year would have entered the tournament with outsider chances anyway, because the big favorite for the win is Novak Djokovic from the current perspective.
After his triumph at the French Open, the world number one announced that he was in a "good position" to win the Golden Slam - that is, to win all four Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympics. It is therefore hardly surprising that the Serbian Tennis Association confirmed Djokovic's participation in this year's Olympic Games to Sportski Zurnal on Wednesday.