Rio 2016: Stan Wawrinka out of Olympic Games due to injury

World number four Stan Wawrinka became the second high profile Swiss tennis player to quit the Rio Olympic Games, the Swiss Tennis Federation announced on Tuesday.

The draw for tennis in Rio is on Thursday.

The Swiss star has been suffering from back problem since competing at the Rogers Cup in Toronto – where he lost to Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals – last month and has decided, following advice from his doctors, not to risk it in Rio.

Wawrinka added: “I’m very sad”.

The world No4 crocked himself in the Rogers Cup in Canada and is the fifth player ranked in the top ten to pull out of the Games.

On July 26, Roger Federer hung up his racket for the rest of the season saying he needed to give his injured knee a rest.

With Federer and Wawrinka out, it’s a major blow to the Swiss team who had harboured hopes of a singles and doubles medal success.

No. 5 Rafael Nadal has been sidelined with an injured left wrist since the French Open and has been testing his fitness in Brazil.

The withdrawals have put the focus on top-ranked Novak Djokovic of Serbia and British Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, the victor in London 2012, as the two top contenders for gold in Rio.

Another Swiss tennis player, Belinda Bencic, also pulled out of the Olympics.