Athletistic/Tennis. Former world number nine Andrei Chesnokov told Match TV that in the near future many top tennis players may refuse to participate in the Olympics in France.

Earlier, Russian Tennis Federation (RFF) President Shamil Tarpishchev told Match TV that Andrei Rublev, Karen Khachanov and Lyudmila Samsonova would not participate in the Paris Olympics. They will be replaced by Pavel Kotov, Aslan Karatsev and Anna Kalinskaya.

— I would like to hear the guys themselves explain the reasons why they will not participate in the Olympics. I have an idea why this happened. Now, tennis players play on grass courts, then move on to clay courts, and then they have to go play on hard courts. It is very difficult and not everyone can cope with such loads. The Olympics are the most prestigious tournament for track and field athletes, weightlifters and gymnasts, but for tennis players, the Grand Slam tournaments are more important. I am sure that in the near future there will be even more refusals, in addition to Rublev, Samsonova and Khachanov, including top players,” Chesnokov told Match TV.

The Paris Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11.

  • Kafelnikov spoke about Rublev, Khachanov and Samsonova’s decision to skip the Olympics



Athletistic