Emma Raducanu was offered a wildcard to play for Team GB at the Paris Olympics but controversially declined.
Emma Raducanu is among a number of high profile players out of the Paris Olympics, with the former US Open champion opting instead to get ready for the American hard court season.
The 2021 US Open champion is preparing to play Belgium’s Elise Mertens, a player she thrashed at Wimbledon just over three weeks ago, at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington.
The British number three was expected to represent Team GB in Paris after a successful run at Wimbledon earlier in July where she made the fourth round but was defeated by New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun.
Her fellow Team GB star Heather Watson was baffled by Raducanu’s decision, with Watson now set to play in both the women’s and mixed doubles events in Paris.
Emma Raducanu decides to prioritise her health and skip the Olympics
With the grass court season following on from the clay before rapidly switching back to the Parisian clay for the Olympics, many players have criticised the quick changes between surfaces, with Raducanu no exception.
Preparing for her first round match in Washington against Mertens, Raducanu sent Team GB a message in her pre-tournament press conference.
She said: “I love playing for my country, I think that was pretty clear at the Billie Jean King Cup. I really fought, I enjoyed it so much, but the Olympics is just not the right time for me this year.
“I really hope to be a part of the next one, but with the changing surface it’s just not worth the risk for me at this point having recovered from the surgeries last year, but I do wish the team good luck.
“I think I’m very single-minded, and I do things my own way and at my own time. Not in a diva way, but just prioritising my body and my health because I know if I’m fit, if I’m giving my 100 percent, I know great things are coming.”
The former world number 10 looked sharp at Wimbledon and will be hoping to put together a decent hard court season as she looks to climb back up the WTA rankings.
Emma Raducanu has struggled with several injuries since her US Open triumph
Raducanu has experienced a series of injuries since her breakthrough at the 2021 US Open, including abdominal issues and severe hand blisters in 2022.
She also dealt with back problems throughout 2022, affecting her performance consistency and with a number of coaching changes Raducanu’s ranking suffered severely.
In early 2023, she suffered an ankle injury at the ASB Classic, raising concerns about her Australian Open participation.
Recurring wrist problems plagued her 2023 season, culminating in a lengthy stretch on the sideline, with surgeries on both wrists and her ankle in May of that year.
While it’s disappointing not to see Raducanu at the Olympics, with her smiley on-court demeanor and powerful hitting, she has earned the right to prioritize her body and will undoubtedly look to represent Team GB in Los Angeles in 2028.
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