Setback For Team USA As Coco Gauff Withdraws From Tokyo Olympics 2020

U.S tennis star Coco Gauff has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not participate in the Tokyo Olympics 2020, the World No. 25 announced Sunday.

The 17-year-old, who was set to become the youngest tennis player to take part in Olympics since 2000, said she was "so disappointed."

"I'm disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for COVID and won't be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics, and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future, " Gauff, who was going to compete in both the singles and doubles competitions, wrote on Twitter.

She then wished Team USA good luck for the Tokyo Games 2020, which is being held a year late due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S Tennis Association (USTA) gave out an official statement, showing support to Gauff.

"We were saddened to learn that Coco Gauff has tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore be unable to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The entire USA Tennis Olympic contingent is heartbroken for Coco. We wish her the best as she deals with this unfortunate situation and hope to see her back on the courts very soon. We know Coco will join all of us in rooting on the other Team USA members who will be traveling to Japan and competing in the coming days," USTA wrote on Twitter.

Two days prior to Gauff's announcement, Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur had tested positive for COVID-19 prior to his departure for the Tokyo Olympics.

Gauff and De Minaur have joined the list of tennis' biggest names that won't be featuring in the upcoming multi-nation event in Japan. The likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios have already announced their decision to skip the Games.

However, top-ranked men and women's players – Novak Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty, both of whom triumphed at Wimbledon earlier this month, will play at the Tokyo Games 2020.

Gauff was last seen at the Wimbledon Championships, where she made it till the fourth round before losing to former World No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

In fact, Kerber has also pulled out of the Tokyo Games due to fatigue.

The Tokyo Games 2020 will be held from July 23 to Aug. 8.