The Aussie surprised fans when making the announcement ahead of the Olympics.

Tennis fans are still questioning Alex de Minaur’s involvement in the Olympics after both Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune withdrew from the Paris Games days out from competition. World No.1 Sinner was heading into the Olympics as one of the favourites to win gold following a blockbuster 2024 season.

The popular Italian has enjoyed a brilliant year having won the Australian Open and looked dangerous on the clay court at Roland Garros. However, the Italian has stunned his fans having fallen sick ahead of the competition in Paris and announced he won’t take part in the Olympics.

Alex de Minaur’s (pictured right) involvement in the Olympics is a huge tlaking point after both Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune withdrew from the Paris Games. (Getty Images)
“I am saddened to inform you that unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games,” Sinner wrote on social media. “After a good week of clay training I started to feel unwell. I spent a couple of days resting and during a visit the doctor found tonsillitis and strongly advised me against playing.

“Missing the Games is a huge disappointment as it was one of my main goals for this season. I couldn’t wait to have the honour of representing my country in this very important event. Good luck to all the Italian athletes who I will support from home.”

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Sinner wasn’t the only major star to withdraw from the Olympics only a few days out from the start of competition. Young star Rune also withdrew after battling a wrist injury throughout the clay and grass court campaigns. Rune is World No.16 and will rest ahead of the US Open. Hubert Hurkacz is also another top 10 player not competing in Paris.

Alex de Minaur question remains after Olympics announcement

While Sinner and Rune join a list of top players not competing in the Olympics, de Minaur stunned Aussie fans having announced he will compete in Paris. At Wimbledon, de Minaur withdrew from his quarter-final clash against Novak Djokovic after he suffered a hip cartilage tear in the final game of his last 16 win over Arthur Fils.

De Minaur did everything in his power to try and play against Djokovic, but ultimately it wasn’t enough, with his attention quickly turning to trying to be fit in time to represent Australia at the Paris Games. This was viewed as a long shot with the recovery time estimated at being between three to six weeks and his campaign with Australia kicking off just some 17 days after his injury.

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 24: Alex de Minaur of Team Australia practices during a tennis training session at Roland-Garros ahead of the Paris Olympic Games on July 24, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
However, in a huge announcement, de Minaur confirmed in an Instagram post that he would line up for Australia. “To finally be able to represent Australia in the Olympics is a dream come true,” he wrote on Tuesday. “I’m very passionate when I play for my country and wear the green and gold, so this is another one of those moments. I’m extremely excited to lace up for Paris 2024.”

De Minaur was seen with Aussie Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt in Paris ahead of competition as he enjoyed a hit on the clay courts. And with Sinner out of the tournament, de Minaur will move up to the No.5 seed. This is the highest seed he will have entered a major tournament with – grand slam or Olympics – throughout his career.

This is huge for de Minaur and he is guaranteed not play anyone in the top 10 until the quarter-final. However, the Aussie also remains a doubt for some tennis fans. Supporters have questioned if de Minaur will play the majority of the tournament with so many players withdrawing with one eye on the upcoming US Open.

The #Olympics come around only once every four years.

Unfortunate withdrawals from Jannik Sinner, Hubi Hurkacz, Holger Rune … Alex de Minaur is still in the draw. #Paris2024

— LavanyaSingerDinesh🌺 (@LavanyaVocalNEW) July 24, 2024