By: Alyssa Wilson

Cori “Coco” Gauff will miss the 2021 Tokyo Olympics set to start Friday after testing positive for COVID-19.  

Gauff made the announcement on Twitter, saying, “I am so disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for COVID and won’t be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future.”  

RELATED: Tokyo Under State of Emergency, Spectators Not Allowed at Olympics  

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— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) July 18, 2021

The United States Tennis Association released the following statement on Gauff’s positive test:  

“We are saddened to learn that Coco Gauff has tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore be unable to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The entire USA Tennis Olympic contingent is heartbroken for Coco. We wish her the best as she deals with this unfortunate situation and hope to see her back on the courts very soon. We know Coco will join all of us in rooting on the other Team USA members who will be traveling to Japan and competing in the coming days.”  

Concern for the Tokyo Olympics is growing as Japan sees a spike in COVID-19 cases and remains under a state of emergency. Due to this, no spectators are allowed at the event, and strict policies are in place in an attempt to keep athletes safe.  

RELATED: Ugandan Weightlifter Goes Missing in Japan Ahead of Tokyo Olympics  

According to CNN, there are 55 confirmed cases now linked to the Tokyo Olympics, including in officials and contractors. South Africa’s Olympic football team is under quarantine after three members tested positive after arriving in Tokyo. Some athletes, including basketball player Liz Cambage, and thousands of volunteers have quit ahead of the start of the event on Friday.