Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka say they will not compete at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris in order to prioritise their health.
World number three Sabalenka retained her Australian Open title in January but lost to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarter-finals this month.
That was the first time the Belarusian, 26, had lost before the semi-finals of a major since the 2022 French Open.
Jabeur, the world number 10, has been struggling with a recurring knee injury over the past two years and the 29-year-old Tunisian is concerned about playing on grass and hard courts either side of the Olympics.
The tennis competition at the Games takes place on the clay courts at Roland Garros from 27 July to 4 August, with the US Open beginning 22 days later.
Jabeur, who was also beaten in the French Open quarter-finals, said on X, external she and her team had “decided that the quick change of surface and the body’s adaptation required would put my knee at risk and jeopardise the rest of my season”.
Sabalenka, who was runner-up at last year’s US Open, said: “I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts.
“Especially with all the struggles I’ve been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health.
“It’s too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health.”
Athletes from Russia and Belarus who qualify for the Games can only compete as neutrals in Paris, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian men’s world number four Daniil Medvedev is among the players who intend to compete at the Olympics as a neutral athlete.
Sabalenka is set to play in Berlin as part of her Wimbledon preparations, having reached the semi-finals last year.
Wimbledon takes place from 1-14 July.
Sabalenka later revealed their relationship had already come to an end when commenting on the ‘unthinkable tragedy’ of his death.
Aryna Sabalenka thanks fans for love and support amid ‘difficult time’ following the tragic death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov
The Australian Open champion beat her best friend Paula Badosa in straight sets at the Miami Open amid the tragedy, but lost to Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina in the next round.
She opted out of press conferences at the tournament following Koltsov’s death, with a message on social media stating her ‘heart is broken’ despite no longer being a couple.
She said: ‘I want to take a moment to say thank you to all my fans for your outpouring love and support during this difficult time,’ Sabalenka wrote.
‘Your kind words mean so much and I carry them with me every day.
‘I am so grateful for you all.’
Sabalenka and Koltsov are thought to have dated for three years, after first being linked in June 2021.
The former hockey player and assistant coach was not only a frequently guest in her player’s box on tour, but a devoted boyfriend on social media, where he often shared messages of love and support.
Despite losing her second final in a month to world No 1 Swiatek on Saturday, Sabalenka looked in high spirits as she appeared to make her relationship with the 35-year-old public over the weekend.
Their dinner date on Saturday took place at Taverna Trilussa, a popular spot for tennis players.
‘Last dinner in the best place,’ the two-time Grand Slam winner wrote in an Instagram post which tagged Frangulis and her team.
In addition to the Haas F1 team, Frangulis’ Oakberry – based in his native Brazil – has partnered with Sabalenka, who has since featured in social media posts promoting the brand.