Berdych pulls out of Olympics over Zika

Prague - World number eight Tomas Berdych said Saturday he was pulling out of the Olympic tournament on concerns over the Zika virus, following a chorus of fellow tennis stars.

"I am very sorry to announce that I will not take part in this year's Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro," the 30-year-old Wimbledon semi-finalist said on Twitter.

"It is because of the Zika virus spread in the country of the Olympics."

"As I have founded a family recently, to limit health risks towards my nearest is the utmost priority."

Berdych, who married model Ester Satorova last year, has also pulled out of the Czech Republic's Davis Cup tie with France, in which the Czechs are trailing 1-2 after Saturday's rubbers.

Berdych follows a host of other tennis stars who are skipping Rio over the Zika scare, including John Isner, Dominic Thiem and most recently, Milos Raonic and Simona Halep.

I am very sorry to announce... pic.twitter.com/5z45ZS4K2R

— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) July 16, 2016