World number one Serena Williams admitted yesterday it was a sad day for the Olympics after Jason Day, the world’s top-ranked golfer, joined the growing legion of stars turning their backs on Rio.
 Australian Day said yesterday he would not compete at the Olympics in the Brazilian city in August due to fears over the Zika virus. Hours later, Ireland golfer Shane Lowry also said he would snub the Games.
 “I think it is sad,” said Williams, after reaching the second round of Wimbledon. She insisted it remains her intention to go to Rio where she will be the defending champion.
“I obviously understand where they’re coming from and how they feel. Part of me feels that way, too, which is why I’m going in with a whole mindset of how do I protect myself and also raise awareness for this,” she said.
 Williams said she had never contemplated pulling out of the Olympics.
 The Rio tennis tournament has, however, already suffered a number of withdrawals. 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.
 “I don’t know if they’re missing out. I mean, everyone’s experience is different. My experience has been really amazing at the Olympics,” said American Williams.
 “It’s difficult for someone that’s in a sport like golf because their main goal, like tennis, is to win slams. But for me, I look at the Olympics as a bonus opportunity. It’s probably one thing (the gold medal) I have that I love the most.”
 Williams reached the Wimbledon second round with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic as her mother watched from the front row of the Royal Box.
 The 34-year-old world number one, chasing a seventh Wimbledon title and record-equalling 22nd major, took her Grand Slam career record in first rounds to a formidable 63 wins against just one defeat.  She next faces fellow American Christina McHale for a place in the last 32.
 “My mom was up there in the Royal Box, so that was nice,” said the American star after giving mother Oracene Price an afternoon to remember on Centre Court. “I will have to get my dad out here now.”
 The mosquito-borne Zika virus can cause birth defects such as microcephaly in babies which are born with unusually small brains and, in adults, has been linked to the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre.
 Williams, 34, and her older sister Venus, 36, are aiming for a fourth doubles gold in Rio after winning in 2000, 2008 and 2012. Venus also won singles gold in 2000.
Romania’s top tennis player Simona Halep could also pull out of the Rio Olympics because she is “very worried” about the effects of the Zika virus.
 “I have to research this virus because it’s not easy (to get all the information),” Halep, a runner-up at the French Open in 2014, told Reuters in an interview after reaching the second round at Wimbledon on Monday.
 “I’ve asked many doctors (about Zika) and I have to speak to doctors again after this tournament. I’ve heard that even if you are not pregnant at the moment and you get the virus, when you get pregnant it (the virus) will activate. I’m very worried,” she added.
 US health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies.
 The World Health Organisation has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults.
 “I am planning to go (to Rio) but I have to make sure it is safe there and I am safe there. When I play tennis, my health is the most important thing,” added the world number five.
“It’s dangerous for the ladies and many sportsmen have withdrawn from Rio for this same reason. It’s a real dilemma when it’s about your health, so I cannot say anything now for sure (whether I will pull out or not).”
  Halep said she had yet to receive any guidance about effects of the virus from the Romanian Olympic Committee but hoped the picture would become clearer after Wimbledon.
 “After this tournament I have to decide (whether I will go). I will be disappointed if I have to pull out because I really like the ceremony and the feeling that you are there with all the Romanians,” said the 24-year-old. “The Olympics is a big deal for our country but my health is the most important. I have to be careful with my body.”