Olympics a no-go for Berdych due to Zika
Tomas Berdych last night pulled out of the Olympics over fears about the Zika virus.
The Czech world No. 8, humbled by Andy Murray in the Wimbledon semi- f inals, says his family is his “utmost priority” and he will not compete in Rio.
He follows Milos Raonic, ranked seventh, and women’s No. 5 Simona Ha l ep in withdrawing from the Games, which start on August 5.
Berdych tweeted: “I am very sorry to announce that I will not take part in this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“It was a hard decision for me to take af ter a long and painstaking discussion with my dearest. It’s purely my personal decision but I still feel a need to give at least one of the serious reasons leading to this step to my supporters and fans.
“It is because of the Zika virus spread in the country of the Olympics. As I have founded a family recently, to limit health risks towards my nearest is the utmost priority.”
Berdych joins a number of leading male players in choosing not to go to the Olympics, 24 hours after Raonic pulled out.
Dominic Thiem is the other member of the top 10 to skip the Games while John Isner, Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic, Feliciano Lopez and Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon conqueror Sam Querrey wi l l all be absent, although none named Zika as their main reason.