Emma Raducanu has chosen to reject a wildcard for this year’s Olympics and now it’s been claimed why she’s made the big call.
The 2021 US Open champion was offered the wildcard as a former winner of a Grand Slam event.
However, she won’t now make take a part in Team GB for the games that will take place in Paris later this year.
Raducanu has failed to kick on since claiming her maiden Grand Slam title and is looking to regain full fitness.
Since her famous victory in 2021, she’s endured rotten luck with injuries and has required a number of surgeries.
Why Emma Raducanu has decided against Olympics call
This does feel like a brave one to turn down, with the Olympics the pinnacle for many athletes.
Ultimately Raducanu has to look after number one, however, and her fitness is paramount this season.
With the tournament coming so close to the US Open perhaps the Great Britain star will prioritise that instead this time around.
Olympic team leader Iain Bates has now confirmed the reasons why Raducanu has declined the offer of a wildcard.
He told I News: “She (Raducanu) feels that this isn’t going to be the right timing for her for this summer.
“I think a lot of that is obviously in the late notice of the spot. I think there’s the bit around the surface change between grass and clay and hard, and everyone’s aware of her history and the double wrist surgery from last year that that places a great stress on her.”
Raducanu wise to miss Olympics
Last season was largely frustrating for Raducanu and she will be desperate to prove her fitness this year.
The 21-year-old lost a thriller against Katie Boulter at the Nottingham Open yesterday and she does look to be getting back to her best.
Overdoing things is not going to be any good to anyone though and as a result, missing the Olympics feels sensible.
Raducanu will be desperate to be fit and ready for Wimbledon and the US Open and being available for those tournaments will be the aim.
At 21, there will be plenty more Olympics for the youngster to play at and with that in mind, it looks as though Raducanu has made the correct call.
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