Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the Olympic Games in Paris due to illness.

The current world number one announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he was suffering from tonsillitis and was not feeling well.

His doctor had urgently advised him not to take part in the Olympic tennis tournament, which runs from Saturday to Aug. 4.

Sinner wrote that the cancellation was a big disappointment because participation at the Games had been one of his main goals of the season.

I was looking forward to representing my country at this important event.

Sinner was one of the main rivals for Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Alexander Zverev, who is one of the favourites in Paris.

He said he would now support the Italian athletes from home.

The 22-year-old was also entered for the doubles competition with Lorenzo Musetti, where the pair were also seeded number one. (dpa/NAN)