via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 05: Men’s singles semi-finalist Kei Nishikori of Japan and women’s singles semi-finalist Naomi Osaka of Japan pose for a portrait outside The Kitano Hotel following their quarter-final matches on day 10 of the 2018 US Open at The Kitano Hotel on September 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 05: Men’s singles semi-finalist Kei Nishikori of Japan and women’s singles semi-finalist Naomi Osaka of Japan pose for a portrait outside The Kitano Hotel following their quarter-final matches on day 10 of the 2018 US Open at The Kitano Hotel on September 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
As the curtain comes down on the Wimbledon Championships, the focus shifts to the Tokyo Olympics to be held in Japan. However, there have been a number of withdrawals from players belonging to men’s and women’s categories. The tennis event at the Games will start on July 24 and run until August 1, 2021.
Since the Olympic Games are held in Tokyo, let us take a closer look at the Japanese team competing this year. We have tennis sensation Naomi Osaka along with star player Kei Nishikori who will be the leading faces representing the host nation.
via Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 30, 2021 Japan’s Kei Nishikori in action during his first round match against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin Pool via REUTERS/Ian Walton
Naomi Osaka will feature in Tokyo after the Paris debacle
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According to the Tour rankings till the French Open, the top four players qualify for the competition. However, there have been some withdrawals. Besides Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, the others players that have qualified for the Olympics are Shuko Aoyama, Ena Shibahara, who will feature in the women’s doubles category.
In the men’s singles, we have Yoshihito Nishioka in the Japanese team. He had a decent Wimbledon Championships 2021, knocking John Isner out in the first round. Coming to the Olympic Games, in the last edition, Kei Nishikori had beaten Rafael Nadal to win the Bronze medal.
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via Reuters
Tennis -WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 12, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action during her second road match against Jessica Pegula of U.S. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
The Tokyo Olympics 2020 was supposed to be held last year. However, due to the global pandemic, the competition had to be postponed. It’s not just the Tokyo Olympics but a number of sporting events had to be postponed.
Since the effects of the virus yet loom large, organizers have made the decision to not all fans at the venues. Even the athletes have been forced to live in bio secure bubbles and are not allowed to be present at the venues where players of the other respective sports are competing.
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In tennis, superstars like Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Nick Kyrgios have decided to withdraw from the event. Nonetheless, the event will be headlined by the other top players. It will be interesting to see who emerges on top.
Watch this story: When Roger Federer Toyed With His Opponent So Bad He Asked Advice From Andre Agassi in the Crowd
