Germany's Alexander Zverev pulls out of Rio citing fitness concerns
Sunday 31 July 2016 17:20, UK
Alexander Zverev, the rising star of German tennis who beat Roger Federer in the Halle Open semi-finals in June, has pulled out of the Rio Olympics due to fitness problems.
"During my last two ATP matches in Washington and Toronto, I did not feel 100 per cent and after several consultations with doctors and my team, we have decided that I must withdraw from the Olympics," the 19-year-old said on Instagram on Sunday.
"I hope to be back in full form for the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati and wish my German team-mates all the best in Rio."
Zverev, who lost the Halle final to compatriot Florian Mayer after beating 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer, is ranked 25th in the world and would have been seeded at the Olympics.
The big-serving teenager lost in the semi-finals in Washington to Gael Monfils of France and the first round in Toronto last week to Taiwan's Lu Yen-Hsun.
Germany have Philipp Kohlschreiber, Dustin Brown and Jan-Lennard Struff entered in the Rio singles event.
