Alex de Minaur withdraws from Tokyo Olympics after positive COVID-19 test

Lachlan McKirdy

Alex de Minaur withdraws from Tokyo Olympics after positive COVID-19 test image

Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur has withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympic Games after testing positive to COVID-19. 

The 22-year-old was set to compete for Australia at the Games in both singles and doubles. 

He is currently Australia's highest-ranked male tennis player. 

As part of the mandatory testing for athletes going to Tokyo, 96-hour and 72-hour COVID testing has to be completed pre-departure. 

It was at this point that it was confirmed that de Minaur tested positive to COVID-19.

Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team Ian Chesterman confirmed the news on Friday. 

"We have been advised that Alex de Minaur has had a positive test, at his mandatory 96-hour and 72-hour pre-departure tests," Chesterman said.

"As a consequence, Alex will be unable to join the Australian team here in Tokyo.

"We're very disappointed for Alex, he's said that he's shattered not being able to come.

"It's been a dream since he was a child to represent Australia at the Olympic Games."

De Minaur tested positive after exiting the Wimbledon bubble before travelling to Spain in preparation for the Games. 

He has not had contact with any other players who will be travelling to Japan. 

 
   
 

De Minaur bowed out of the first round of Wimbledon after losing to American Sebastian Korda

Nick Kyrgios also confirmed that he would not be competing at the Tokyo Olympics last week

Kyrgios stated that a combination of not being 100 per cent fit and no crowds meant it didn't feel right playing at this year's tournament.  

At this stage, it means Australia will be represented in the men's singles draw by John Millman and James Duckworth. 

De Minaur was set to team up with John Peers in the doubles competition as well. The AOC will work with the ITF to figure out whether a replacement is possible to ensure Peers can still compete at Tokyo.

In the women's singles, Australia will be represented by Wimbledon champion Ash Barty, Wimbledon quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic and soon to be five-time Olympian, Sam Stosur. 

A number of the world's best-ranked tennis players have already pulled out of the Olympics. 

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both confirmed that they would be skipping the Games. 

Lachlan McKirdy

Lachlan McKirdy Photo