Pospisil Latest Canadian To Miss Olympics

Welcome back to the Canadian Corner where we will be recapping the previous week for Canadian tennis. Since the majority of the players were on their way to Tokyo for the Olympics only Vasek Pospisil was in action at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island.

Image credit to Eurosport

Pospisil on Rhode Island

Pospisil who was the number four seed in the draw but lost in the first round against the German Peter Gojowczyk in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 and after the match the Canadian was the latest to pull out of the Olympics.

In a statement on social media he said he was still dealing with a lingering right shoulder injury and several other factors which has resulted in the majority of players not making the trip.

On Twitter here is his official statement :

“ To all my fans back home, Unfortunately I have decided not to take part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year. Several factors have played into this difficult decision which includes an aggravated right shoulder injury that will need to rest to prevent further injury.

This was one of the hardest professional decisions I’ve ever had to make; playing for your country is the biggest honor in sport and going to the Olympics is every young child's dream, as it was mine. I had to be honest with myself that I am both physically and mentally not able to make the trip.

I will go back home to rest, rehab, spend time with family and hope to be ready for the hard court swing.

Thank you for all your support as always.”

Pospisil did achieve a good result in the men's doubles draw teaming up with Austin Krajicek making it all the way to the final before losing to the American team of Jack Sock and William Blumberg.

So with the withdrawal of Pospisil from the Olympics that leaves Canada with only Felix Auger Aliassime who will be playing his first ever Olympic games.

The Departed…from the Olympics

There has been a trend in the recent week of a lot of players opting out of the Olympics due to many different factors. The action begins on July 23rd so we will have to wait and see how Canada fares.

A reminder on the women’s side with no Bianca Andreescu or Eugenie Bouchard, Leylah Fernandez is Canada's best hope for gold but she always seems to bring out her best when playing for her country.

Go Canada Go

Elias Laradi contributes to The Slice from Montreal, Canada.