Former French Open champ Schiavone snubs Olympics

Schiavone said she has turned down the opportunity to play at the Olympics, dealing another blow to the Rio tennis tournament.

Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone (File|AP)

LONDON: Italy's former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone said Saturday she has turned down the opportunity to play at the Olympics, dealing another blow to the Rio tennis tournament.

The 36-year-old, ranked at 111 in the world and who won Roland Garros in 2010, said she preferred to concentrate on "personal projects".

"Here at Wimbledon I received the communication of the wild card for the Olympic Games and this news made me happy," Schiavone wrote on Facebook.

"However, I have decided not to accept it because at this stage of my life, I need to focus and give priority to my personal projects. This is why I won't be in Rio.

"It's a choice that cost me but I am proud to have worn the blue jersey in three editions of the Games."

John Isner of the United States, Austria's Dominic Thiem, Australian duo Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios as well as Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez have all opted, for various reasons, not to take part in the Rio Olympics.

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal is waiting on an appeal to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) before he can be assured of his place.