Emma Raducanu turned a lot of heads with her decision to play at the Citi Open instead of the 2024 Olympics.
Many of the game’s top stars are currently in Paris for the latter, but the Briton is currently in Washington for the former, although Raducanu has wished Team GB good luck at the Olympics.
She has made a strong start to the WTA 500 event in the USA, defeating Elise Mertens in the opening round.
Raducanu battled hard against the eighth seed, with the 2021 US Open champion picking up a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win.
The major victory three years ago earned the Briton a wildcard for Paris, but she opted for the hard-court event over the clay-court competition.
Emma Raducanu opens up after beating Elise Mertens in Washington
It comes after her superb run on the grass at Wimbledon, where the 21-year-old made it to the fourth round.
Raducanu is now fully focused on the hard-court season as the US Open approaches, with the former British number one planning on a lengthy stay in Washington.
“I think getting through first rounds are always very difficult, first rounds are always about getting through them and trying to work your way into the tournament,” Raducanu said in her on-court interview after the win.
“I am very proud of that. The first set I think I played some very good tennis too. I lost my focus a bit in the second.
“I am happy to have recovered the break back in the third set. I am most proud of my mentality and character today.”
Heather Watson shocked by Emma Raducanu’s Olympics decision
Raducanu has been plagued by injuries in recent times, but the Briton is looking strong on the court once more.
She has risen to number 89 in the world following her recent exploits on grass, with a strong hard-court season now on her mind.
And a lot of confidence will go her way after the opening round win over Mertens in Washington, with the Belgian currently 35th in the WTA rankings.
The British ace will be using the tournament to help prepare for the US Open, which gets underway in late August.
But her priorities have not been appreciated by everyone, with Team GB star Heather Watson shocked by Raducanu’s decision to skip the Olympics.
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