Tennis world number ones Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have confirmed they will play at the Rio Olympics later this year. The build-up to the competition has been marred by fears over the spread of the Zika virus in Brazil.
Former world No1 golfer Rory McIlroy dropped out of Rio on 22 June, citing fears of the virus as the reason. But it seems the top tennis players in the world are still committed to playing.
The 21-time grand slam winner Williams said: The US (team) has spoken to all the athletes, they have been going through a lot of protocol to make sure everyone is okay and comfortable and if not there is no pressure to go. So yeah, we are all looking forward to it and we are all worried about it but the athletes that are going are definitely taking the right precautions.
Djokovic, currently the holder of all four grand slam titles going into Wimbledon, was adamant he would appear at the tournament. After being asked if he had any second thoughts over playing at the tournament, the Serb replied: No I dont. Im still planning to go, so it is going to stay that way.
A number of athletes have pulled out of the Rio games this summer, with McIlroy the latest in a line of golfers. The Irishman said in a statement that going to Brazil was a risk he is unwilling to take. A number of athletes, including Britains Greg Rutherford, have also frozen their sperm as a precaution ahead of the games.
However the risk of the Zika virus spreading due to mass gatherings at the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympic games is very low, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. The 2016 Olympics are due to begin on 5 August.
