Milos Raonic announced on Friday that he has decided to withdraw from competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
"It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my withdrawal from participation in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games," said Raonic. "After much deliberation with my family and coaches, I am making this decision for a variety of health concerns including the uncertainty around the Zika virus. This was a difficult, personal choice and I do not wish for it to impact the decision of any other athlete heading to the Games. I would like to thank Tennis Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee for their ongoing support. I am very proud to have competed for Canada at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and on the world stage at several Davis Cup events. I look forward to cheering on Team Canada this summer."
"We fully respect Milos’ decision as we are sure this is not one he made easily," said Kelly Murumets, president and CEO, Tennis Canada. "Milos represents Canada proudly week after week around the world and we look forward to future opportunities for him to join Team Canada again on the court."
Pending invitation by the International Tennis Federation and Canadian Olympic Committee approval, Tennis Canada will nominate Daniel Nestor to replace Raonic in the men’s doubles draw to partner with Vasek Pospisil.
About Tennis Canada
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennis in Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATP World Tour events, eight professional ITF-sanctioned events and financially supports 15 other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates national junior training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada, please visit our website at http://tenniscanada.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=d329ef9f1d1bca85c44b72a8f&id=247dc965c5&e=8706780d5e and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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