Paris, 25 July 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the Olympic Games in Paris due to illness.

The current world number one announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he is suffering from tonsillitis and is "not feeling well."

His doctor had urgently advised him not to take part in the Olympic tennis tournament, which runs from July 27 to August 4.

The cancellation was "a big disappointment" because it had been one of his main goals of the season, Sinner wrote. "I was looking forward to representing my country at this important event."

Sinner was one of the main rivals for Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev, who is one of the favourites in Paris.

He will now "support the Italian athletes from home," said Sinner. The 22-year-old was also entered for the doubles competition with Lorenzo Musetti, where he was also seeded number one.

Photo: archive