British tennis star Emma Raducanu will not play tennis at the Olympic Games in Paris, with fans wanting to know why she snubbed the clay-court event.
Raducanu could’ve featured at the Olympic tennis tournament after being offered a spot by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) – who always reserve two places for former Grand Slam champions – but the 2021 US Open winner turned it down.
That has confused many people, especially considering Raducanu is very much back on an upwards trajectory after bouncing back from long-term injury problems and triple surgery which forced a long spell away from 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.
‘So not in a diva way, [I’m] just prioritising my body and my health because I know if I’m fit, I know if I’m giving my 100%, I know great things are happening and coming.
‘I just don’t think there’s any need to put additional stress on my body or any risk, especially with my history.’
The head of Team GB’s Olympic tennis team, Iain Bates, is ‘comfortable’ with Raducanu’s call and added: ‘Everyone’s aware of her history and the double wrist surgery from last year. That [change of surface] places a greater stress on her.’
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.
Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, Dan Evans and Andy Murray will feature for Team GB in the men’s singles.
Katie Boulter is the sole Brit in the women’s singles, while in men’s doubles there are two teams, with Murray teaming up with his fellow Briton 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.
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