The fans of British tennis player Emma Raducanu are curious as to why she chose not to compete in the clay-court competition at the Olympic Games in Paris.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF), which usually reserves two spots for past Grand Slam champions, offered Raducanu a berth to compete in the Olympic tennis competition; however, the 2021 US Open winner declined.
Many people find it confusing, especially in light of Raducanu’s recent recovery from triple surgery and long-term injury issues that required him to miss a significant amount of time on the WTA Tour.
Raducanu just matched her best Wimbledon performance with an impressive run to the last 16 as a wildcard, so why is she not playing at the Olympics for Britain? Read on to find out why the 21-year-old former world No.10 made the huge call.
Is Emma Raducanu playing for Great Britain at the Olympic Games tennis tournament in Paris?
No. Emma Raducanu will not feature for Great Britain at the Olympics. That’s because she does not want to risk further injury problems with the drastic change to the clay surface after such a strong spell on the different, faster grass courts.
‘I’m very single minded and I do things my own way and in my own time whenever I want,’ Raducanu said of her decision to snub the 2024 Games in Paris.
Thus, in a non-diva manner, I’m just putting my body and health first because I can tell when I’m in shape, when I’m giving it my all, and when amazing things are about to happen.
“I just don’t think it’s necessary to put my body through any more strain or risk, particularly given my past.”
“Everyone’s aware of her history and the double wrist surgery from last year,” said Iain Bates, the head of Team GB’s Olympic tennis squad, in response to Raducanu’s plea. She is more stressed out as a result of that [surface alteration].
When is the start date for the Olympic tennis?
Men’s singles: Saturday, July 27 – Sunday, August 4
Men’s doubles: Saturday, July 27 – Saturday, August 3
Women’s singles: Saturday, July 27 – Saturday, August 3
Women’s doubles: Saturday, July 27 – Sunday, August 4
Mixed doubles: Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 2
Raducanu endured some mixed results on clay earlier this year, suffering a shocking defeat in Madrid to Maria Lourdes Carle before deciding to skip the French Open to focus on grass.
She does not want to go back to clay in 2024 and is instead focusing on the hard-court season ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year at the US Open in New York, where she’s guaranteed a place after climbing back inside the world top 100.
Who is playing for Great Britain at the Olympic Games tennis tournament in Paris?
There will be British players in the men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles. Mixed doubles pairings won’t be confirmed until July 24.
In the men’s singles, Team GB will be represented by Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, Dan Evans, and Andy Murray.
In the women’s singles, the only British player is Katie Boulter. In the men’s doubles, there are two teams, with Murray partnering with fellow Brit Dan Evans.
Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski are the other Team GB team in men’s doubles while Boulter has paired up with Heather Watson for the women’s doubles.