Tennis-Sabalenka to skip Paris Olympics

FILE PHOTO: Jun 5, 2024; Paris, France; Aryna Sabalenka during her match against Mirra Andreeva on day 11 of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

(Reuters) - World number three Aryna Sabalenka will not play at the Paris Olympics in order to focus on her health and prepare for the hardcourt tournaments, the twice Grand Slam champion said on Monday.

The 26-year-old Belarusian won the Australian Open in January, but was knocked out by 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarter-finals this month.