Djokovic to compete at Rio, shrugs off Zika concerns

World number one Novak Djokovic has said that he would play in next month's Rio Olympics despite increasing fears about the Zika virus.

While insisting the threat by Zika virus has been overstated, the Serbian said he is looking forward to take all necessary precautions heading into the Summer Games, Sport24 reports.

Earlier, tennis players such as John Isner of the United States, Austria's Dominic Thiem, Australian duo of Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios as well as Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez have withdrawn from the global spectacle citing various reasons.

Brazil has been most affected by the mosquito-borne virus that has spread rapidly through Latin America and the Caribbean. It is known to cause the head-shrinking microcephaly and other birth defects.

Meanwhile, Golf, which is making its return in Olympics after a century-long absence, has also lost its sheen following the withdrawal of the sport's top four players - Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson due to the fear surrounding the mosquito-borne virus.