Jun 6, 2021; Paris, France; Serena Williams (USA) in action during her match against Elena Rybakina (KAZ) on day eight of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Serena Williams isn’t planning on pursuing a fifth gold medal in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
“I’m actually not on the Olympic list. … Not that I’m aware of. If so, then I shouldn’t be on it,” Williams said Sunday.
Williams, 39, said there are a variety of reasons for her decision, but did not disclose any of them.
“There’s a lot of reasons that I made my Olympic decision,” Williams said. “I don’t really want to — I don’t feel like going into them today. Maybe another day. Sorry.
“I have not thought about it. In the past (the Olympics) has been a wonderful place for me. I really haven’t thought about it, so I’m going to keep not thinking about it.”
Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in the final to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics. She also won gold in doubles with her sister Venus at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2008 Beijing Games and in 2012.
The sixth-seeded Williams begins her pursuit of an eighth Wimbledon title and record-tying 24th Grand Slam championship on Tuesday when she faces Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus
–Field Level Media