According to the Serbian press (which, means we should take this with a huge salt lick), Ana is traveling to Beijing with her doctor and will decide on Tuesday whether or not she can play. A source says that she doesn't feel any pain in the thumb anymore but she's still having problems gripping her racquet.
Does anyone have a baby I can sacrifice? A virgin? A Jelena Jankovic voodoo doll? Anything?
Kidding. I honestly don't think she'll pull out even if the thumb is bad. If anything, that will help her manage her expectations and put less pressure on herself. I think the opportunity to go to the Olympics and just walk in the Opening Ceremonies is so great and something that, if I were an athlete, I would not miss. If that means she loses in the first round, so be it. At least then she can get her thumb treated and be ready for the US Open. There's always 2012, though that will be in London on grass courts, which is not great for her.
Thanks to jelenacg at Ana's Forums for the translation.
UPDATED:
The General Manager of the Serbian tennis federation announced today
that Ana will compete at the Olympics despite her thumb injury. As
translated by a poster over at AI's Forum:
The best tennis player of the world Serbian Ana Ivanovic will compete on the Olympic tournament, despite the injury of thumb on her right hand, as is announced by general manager of Tennis Alliance of Serbia Dusan Orlandić.
Orlandić said that after the elimination on the tournament in Montreal medical examinations were conducted in Italy, which showed that it is not a serious problem.
"Ana has a tendon injury, has started the necessary therapy and will continue with it in Beijing. She should, as planned, continue preparations for the Olympic tournament on Wednesday" said Orlandić for "Sportski Zurnal".
Ana Ivanovic will leave on Tuesday, over Munich, for Beijing, where other representatives of Serbia in tennis will join her.
Many thanks to Nestor at Ana's Forums for the translation.
