While two-time gold champion Andy Murray is scheduled to compete in Paris, Emma Raducanu has declined the opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Olympics this summer.
Due to her poor ranking, Raducanu is unable to qualify for the Olympics. The athlete is also recovering from surgery on her ankle and wrists last year. Moreover, in order to be ready for the British grass-court swing, Raducanu skipped the French Open, which was held on the same clay courts at Roland Garros as the Olympic tennis.
“I have had various conversations with Emma over the last couple of weeks and a slightly longer period where it’s very clear how much being part of a British team at an Olympics would mean to her… I think she feels this isn’t going to be the right timing for her for this summer,” said Iain Bates, the head of Great Britain’s Olympics tennis team.
He added: “She’s hopefully got many Olympics ahead of her. I’m very comfortable with the decision that she’s made.”
Raducanu’s decision was impacted by the fact that she had to play on clay in Paris, which is positioned between the US Open’s hard courts and Wimbledon’s grass courts. Bates admitted: “Everyone’s aware of her history and the double wrist surgery from last year,” said Bates. “That [change of surface] places a greater stress on her.”
Raducanu out, Murray in
On the other hand, Andy Murray, the 37-year-old gold medallist from Rio 2016 and London 2012, has been awarded a spot on the ITF circuit for what may be his last competition of his entire career.
Other athletes such as Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper and Dan Evans are set to join Murray in the men’s singles. Murray and Evans have also been nominated for the men’s doubles.
The Olympic tennis competition will take place at Roland Garros, home of the French Open every year, from July 27 to August 4.
Source: BBC