OLYMPICS: Nadal gets ITF green light to play, Halep and Raonic withdraw

The 14-time Grand Slam victor has not played since pulling out of the French Open in May.

Czech Tomas Berdych has become the third high-profile tennis player to withdraw from the Olympics in two days, saying his concerns over the Zika virus prompted his decision.

Pregnant women have been advised not to travel to Brazil.

Halep, who was knocked out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals, insists she regrets not being able to play but the risks are too big.

“Nadal’s commitment is total and he will go to Rio to participate”, said Alejandro Blanco, the president of the country’s Olympic committee (COE).

On Twitter, the Czech says “to limit health risks towards my dearest is the utmost priority”.

As of now, a lot of golfers, including Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, have pulled out from the Olympics, but the fear regarding the Zika virus is starting to spread to other sporting stars, which is leading to more and more withdrawals.

Nuzma pointed out that there is a worst case of Zika virus in Florida, but the golfers are still playing there, news.com.au reported.

Many have claimed, however, that athletes are using Zika as an excuse to pull out of Rio, with an Olympic gold not as prestigious as other major prizes in sports such as golf and tennis.

Earlier Friday, Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal was included on the tennis entry list after appealing to the ITF.

Jungmann said he regretted the restrictions on movement likely to be caused in Rio by the possible increase of security checkpoints throughout the Olympics host city during the August 5-21 games.

Murray and America’s Serena Williams will begin as the defending men’s and women’s singles champions.