The tennis player Alex de Minaur has pulled out of the Tokyo Games after becoming the first member of Australia’s Olympic team to test positive for Covid-19.
De Minaur, Australia’s top men’s player and ranked 17th in the world, had recently appeared at Wimbledon, where he suffered a first-round exit in the singles, and was due to fly to Tokyo from his base in Spain on Sunday.
He underwent mandatory coronavirus testing before his scheduled departure and has been left “shattered” by the results, according to Australia’s chef de mission, Ian Chesterman.
“We have been advised that Alex de Minaur has had a positive test, as a consequence, Alex, sadly will be unable to join the Australian team,” Chesterman said.
“We are very disappointed for Alex and he is shattered at not being able to come. It has been his dream to represent Australia at the Olympic Games since he was a child, but he sent his best wishes for the team.”
De Minaur undertook both the 96-hour and 72-hour PCR test as required by the Japanese authorities.
It was not clear if De Minaur has been vaccinated. Dr David Hughes, the medical director for the Australian Olympic team, said he could not comment on individual cases. But more than 98% of the Tokyo-bound cohort have received their shots.
Chesterman said the blow would not have an impact on the rest of the Australian tennis team, who are still expected to travel to Tokyo for the start of the tournament on 24 July.
“No other tennis players have had physical contact with Alex since he left Wimbledon on 5 July, where he tested negative,” he said. “All other Australian players have tested negative since. We look forward to welcoming those athletes into our team.”
De Minaur had been selected to represent Australia at his first Games in both the singles and doubles tournaments. His doubles partner, John Peers, is still hopeful of playing in Tokyo with a different partner.
Chesterman said the fact that De Minaur’s infection had been discovered before travelling to Japan, and without having passed it to any other members of the team, was proof that Olympic biosecurity protocols were working.
“We need to protect this bubble and Alex has been caught up in that system,” he said. “While we will miss Alex, he understands the reasons why he cannot be with us.”
Chesterman added in a later statement: “The safety of the Australian Olympic team and the Japanese community is paramount and the system put into place has done its job, sadly for both us and for Alex.”
The Games are due to open next Friday.
De Minaur’s withdrawal is the latest blow for the tennis tournament in Tokyo, which is already missing several big names.
Nick Kyrgios pulled out last week citing concerns about a ban on fans, while Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams have also withdrawn. Former medallists Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber also said on Friday they would not travel to Japan.
