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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
SportChina

China No 1 Zhang Shuai cut from Tokyo 2020 Olympics tennis team

  • No 2 Wang Qiang and No 3 Zheng Saisai handed tickets for women’s singles after skipping Wimbledon
  • Duan Yingying, Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan are part of doubles squad looking to win third Olympic medal

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China’s Wang Qiang serves during her first round match at the 2021 French Open. Photo: AFP
Jonathan White
China has confirmed its team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games tennis tournament and there is no place for No 1-ranked woman Zhang Shuai.
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Instead, No 2 Wang Qiang and No 3 Zheng Saisai will be flying the flag as China looks to win a third tennis medal.

Zhang, who is ranked 37th in the world, played at Wimbledon, while Wang (41) and Zheng Saisai (53) both skipped the grass court season to concentrate on their Tokyo prospects.

Wang released a statement to that effect after the French Open in June, where she lost to US teen Coco Gauff.

China’s Zheng Saisai hits a return during the first round at the 2021 French Open. Photo: Xinhua
China’s Zheng Saisai hits a return during the first round at the 2021 French Open. Photo: Xinhua
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“After considering the pandemic quarantine protocols and the Chinese national team’s schedule, I’m sorry to announce that I have decided to withdraw from the remainder of the grass season, including Wimbledon, and to return to China to prepare for the Tokyo Olympic Games with the rest of the national team,” the 29-year-old posted on social media.

“Representing my country at the Olympic Games is the highest honour,” she added.

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