Coco Gauff positive for COVID, withdraws from Olympics

Coco Gauff was set to compete in her first Olympic Games, and her selection to the U.S. team made her the youngest Olympic tennis player since Mario Ancic made his debut in the 2000 Games in Sydney. Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

Coco Gauff withdraws from Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/18/21

Coco Gauff announced via Twitter Sunday that she will be withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. Her announcement comes just days before the Games are set to begin.

❤️ pic.twitter.com/lT0LoEV3eO
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) July 18, 2021

Gauff was set to compete in her first Olympic Games, and her selection to the U.S. team made her the youngest Olympic tennis player since Mario Ančić made his debut in the 2000 Games in Sydney.

The 17-year-old became a significant figure for the Americans after Serena Williams announced she would not compete in the Tokyo Olympics following an injury suffered at Wimbledon. In addition, Sofia Kenin pulled out of the Games due to COVID-19.

This summer's Olympics is missing several big-name tennis players, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Bianca Andreescu, among others.

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