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Emma Raducanu has turned down a spot in the Team GB squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The young tennis player was unable to qualify for the Olympics at the Roland Garros due to her singles ranking however as she has previously won a grand slam, she could have been given a place from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
The process of obtaining an Olympic spot from the ITF has been done by Andy Murray for the fifth time this year, although Raducanu chose not to follow in this star’s footsteps despite being offered an 11th hour wildcard spot.
When asked about her decision at the Nottingham Open, Raducanu emphasised how much she loves playing for her country, something which was highlighted when she competed at the Billie Jean Cup.
Raducanu went on to speak on how the timing of the Olympics simply was not right this year, putting emphasis on the fact that she is not a “diva”. She said: “I think I’m very single-minded and I do things my own way and at my own time”.
One of the key reasons for Raducanu’s decision was that Paris 2024 will be played on clay courts. This would mean Raducanu would switch from grass to clay. On this, she said: “With the changing surface, it is not worth the risk for me at this point, having recovered from the surgeries last year”.
Raducanu wants to focus on her fitness and health and not put additional stress on her body following having to take months out due to surgeries on her wrist and ankle.
Iain Bates, the head of women’s tennis at the LTA echoed Raducanu’s words saying that the surface change is “hard”. He added to this saying that the late notice for the spot was challenging.
Bates also said: “You always want to have a bigger team in the Olympics because it is such a cool event”. Although, following this comment he justified Raducanu’s decision to not participate in the tournament this summer, stating that fans must remember that she is 21 and that, therefore, she will hopefully have many more opportunities to compete at the Olympics in the future."
Raducanu has said that she hopes to represent Team GB in the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles, saying: "“I really hope to be part of the next one." She says that if she’s giving 100 per cent then she knows great things are coming.
Raducanu added: "I do wish the team good luck". It is most likely that the young player will be watching on and supporting Team GB from afar.
